Chapter III, Section III, Adhikarana XII

Adhikarana summary: Attributes of Brahman mentioned in Ranayaniya-khila

Adhikarana XII - Attributes of Brahman mentioned in Ranayaniya-khila are not to be taken into consideration in other Brahma Vidyas e.g. the Sandilya Vidya, as the former is an independent Vidya on account of the difference of Brahman’s abode.

Brahma-Sutra 3.3.23: Sanskrit text and English translation.

संभृतिद्युव्याप्त्यपि चातः ॥ २३ ॥

saṃbhṛtidyuvyāptyapi cātaḥ || 23 ||

saṃbhṛtiḥ—Supporting (the universe); dyuvyāptiḥ—pervading the sky; api—also; cātaḥ—and for the same reason (as in the previous Sutra).

23. For the same reason (as in the previous Sutra) the supporting (of the universe) and pervading of the sky (attributed to Brahman in the Ranayaniya-khila) also (are not to be included in other Upasanas of Brahman).

In a supplementary text of the Ranayaniyas there occurs the passage, “The powers, which were collected together, were preceded by Brahman; the pre-existent Brahman in the beginning pervaded the whole sky.” Now these two qualities of Brahman are not to be included in other places treating of Brahma Vidya for the same reason as is given in the last Sutra, viz. difference of abode. Moreover, these qualities and those mentioned in other Vidyas like the Sandilya Vidya are of such a nature as to exclude each other, and are not suggestive of each other. The mere fact of certain Vidyas being connected with Brahman does not constitute their unity. Brahman, though one, is, on account of its plurality of powers, meiditated upon in manifold ways. The conclusion therefore is that the Upasana referred to in this Sutra is an independent Vidya standing by itself.