Brahma-Sūtra 1.3.43

English of translation of Brahmasutra 1.3.43 by Roma Bose:

“(And on account of the designation of Brahman) as different (from the individual soul) in deep sleep and departure.”

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

And on account of the designation of the omniscient “as different” from the non-knower “in deep sleep and departing”.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

If it be objected: Since it is found from a consideration of the meaning of the text ‘Thou art that’ (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.8.7, etc. ^[1]) that there cannot possibly be anything different from Brahman, how can it be said: “On account of the designation (of Brahman) as something different and so on”? (Brahma-sūtra 1.3.42)—

(We reply): True. In spite of there being non-difference between the individual soul, which is a part of Brahman, and Brahman, owing to the fact that the individual soul has no existence, activity and the rest apart from Brahman,—its difference from Him, too, is inevitable, possessing as it does its own peculiar qualities,—so says the reverend author of the aphorisms.

The words “on account of the designation” are to be supplied. (The individual soul and Brahman are different from each other,) on account of the designation of the Supreme Soul, the omniscient, as “different” from the individual soul, the non-knower, “in deep sleep”, in the passage: ‘Embraced by the Intelligent Soul, he does not know anything external, nor anything internal’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.3.21), and “in departure”, in the passage: ‘Mounted by the Intelligent Soul, it goes groaning’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.3.35). ‘Mounted’ means superintended, ‘groaning’ means making frightful sounds, or sounds of hiccough. It is not possible that the non-knowing soul, sleeping or departing, can at the same time, becoming intelligent, embrace or mount itself, or that another individual soul can do so, omniscience being impossible on the latter’s part as well.

Comparative views of Śaṅkara and Bhāskara:

Interpretation different, viz. according to them, this adhikaraṇa is concerned with the question whether the Bṛhadāraṇyaka text 4.3.7 refers to the Supreme Soul, or not. ^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Also occurs in Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.9.4, 6.10.3, 6.11.3, 6.12.3, 6.13.3, 6.14.3, 6.15.3, 6.16.3.

[2]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṅkara’s commentary) 1.3.42, pp. 382; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 1.3.42, p. 70.