आनर्थक्यमिति चेत्, न, तदपेक्षत्वात् ॥ १० ॥
ānarthakyamiti cet, na, tadapekṣatvāt || 10 ||
ānarthakyam—Irreievancy; iti cet—if it be said; na—not so; tadapekṣatvāt—on account of dependence on that.
10. If it be said (by such interpretation of the word ‘conduct’ good conduct would become) purposeless, (we say) not so, on account of (Karma) being dependent on that (good conduct).
An objection is raised that if the word ‘conduct’ be interpreted indirectly to mean ‘residual Karma’, leaving its direct meaning, then good conduct would be purposeless in man’s life, as it has no result of its own, not being a cause of the quality of the new birth. The Sutra denies this on the ground that only those who are of good conduct are expected to perform Vedic sacrifices. “Him who is devoid of good conduct the Vedas do not purify.” Thus good conduct is an aid to Karma and therefore has a purpose. So it is the view of Karshnajini that it is Karma and not conduct that is the cause of the new birth.