Many a time it is dangerous to interpret the Shastra verbatim.
That is why we always give importance to the tradition. There is a statement
which says Brahma does not grow due to merit or decrease due to demerit – “na dharmena
vardhate nadharmena kaniyan”.
The statement seems to be a very harmless statement, at face
value. And the interpretation given above fits the bill, and is what is
generally given by the lecturers.
But, for someone who has studied tarka or has a little
logical sense this statement interpretation will be one of the ‘foolest’ way of
interpreting.
Foolest ? ok, we can understand Brahman does not grow
because of punya or decrease because of papa. But, what about the inverse or
vice-versa. That is, will Brahman grow because of adharma and decrease because
of dharma. That is not the case, too.
The primary idea of the scripture is to tell us that punya
and papa cannot bring about any change in the Brahman. Because it is not a samskaarya
or aapya or utpaadya or vikaarya (purify, gain, create or transform). The four
modes of attainment through karma.
So, the interpretation should be, Brahman does not grow or
decrease of punya and papa.
