Brahma-Sūtra 1.3.25

English of translation of Brahmasutra 1.3.25 by Roma Bose:

“But (the lord is said to be of the size of merely a thumb) in reference to the heart (of men), because men (alone) are entitled (to scripture).”

Nimbārka’s commentary (Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha):

The Lord can very well be of the size of merely a thumb, “in reference to the heart” of the worshippers. To the objection, viz. The size of the heart in animals being not fixed, how can Brahman be of the size of a thumb in reference to the heart?—the author replies: “Because men (alone) are entitled (to Scripture)”.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

The author is justifying the contention that Brahman can be of the size of merely a thumb.

Even an all-pervasive Being can be of the size of merely a thumb, “with reference to the heart”, i.e. with reference to the heart, or the heart-lotus which is of the size of merely a thumb, of His own devotees, devoted to Him alone and to none else. The sense is that this designation is indeed proper like the designation of the Lord as ‘one who makes three strides’ (Trivikrama), in reference to the three worlds.^[1]

Or else, (an alternative explanation of the word “hṛdyapekṣayā”):

As from the word “heart” (“hṛd”) alone the size of that which is within it (viz. the Lord) is known, the words “in reference to” (“apekṣayā”) are to be understood as: ‘in reference to the worshippers’, i.e. in accordance with their wish.^[2]

To the objection, viz. As the size of the heart differs in accordance with the difference of living creatures, the text about (the Person of the size of merely) a thumb cannot be explained in reference to the heart,—we reply: “Because men (alone) are entitled” to Scripture. This is the meaning:^[3] That to which men are entitled’ (make ‘manuṣyādhikāra’), ‘the state of that’ (make ‘manuṣyādhikāratva’), on account of that (make ‘manuṣyādhikāratvāt’). The meaning of the scriptural text concerning (the Person of the size of merely) a thumb is explicable in reference to the heart of men. Although Scripture is of a universal application,^[4] yet as men alone can be worshippers and seekers, they alone are entitled to it. Hence, no contradiction arises here even if the hearts of elephants and lice be not of the size of merely a thumb, as they are not entitled to works enjoined in Scripture and Smṛti, as established in the sixth chapter, determining the conditions of being entitled to sacrifices and so on.^[5] Thus, it is established that the Supreme Soul alone is the Person of the size of merely a thumb.

Here ends the section entitled ‘What is measured’^[6] (3).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

‘Trivikrama’ is an epithet of Viṣṇu, who paced the three worlds in three steps in His Vāmana or Dwarf incarnation. The sense is, that just as the all-pervading Lord is said to have three strides only, so He may be said to be of the size of a thumb only.

[2]:

I.e. the Lord manifests Himself as of the size of a thumb to please his devotees.

[3]:

The compound ‘manuṣyādhikāratvāt’ is to be explained as follows.

[4]:

That is, scriptural mandates are to be followed by all.

[5]:

Vide Pūrva-mīmāṃsā-sūtra 6.1.4-5, pp. 504-7, Part 1.

[6]:

The section entitled ‘What is measured’ is resumed in sūtra 1.3.40.