In chapter 13 of Nāgārjuna’s main work, the Mūlamadhyamakakārikā, he explains his concept of śūnyatā. However, there is a problem with verses three and four. Should we read those two verses as Nāgārjuna’s, or opponent’s? Based on commentaries, recent research takes the stance that verse three and the first half of four are not Nāgārjuna’s own. On the other hand, I point out that it is possible to reinterpret those verses as Nāgārjuna’s in light of examples taken from the Vigrahavyāvartanī.
In this paper, I reexamine the validity of this interpretation from the explanation of the word ‘‘non-essence (asvabhāva)’’ in verse three. According to this new interpretation, we can understand all verses of chapter 13 to be Nāgārjuna’s.
