Brahma-Sūtra 2.2.43

English of translation of Brahmasutra 2.2.43 by Roma Bose:

“And the sense-organ of the creation (is) not (possible).”

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

If it be said, there is a connection (between Śakti and Puruṣa,)—(we reply:) No “sense-organ” is possible on the part of Puruṣa at that time.

(If it be argued:) There is a creator helping Śakti; and the fact that the world is something produced, too, is inferred on the analogy of what is directly perceived; hence the above objection cannot be raised,—then (we reply:) No “sense-organ” is possible on the part of the creator, since there is no sense-organ prior to creation. In its absence, it is not possible for Puruṣa to be a helper. Moreover, since there is no similarity of the ether and the rest with pots and so on, the fact that the former are something produced (like the latter) is by no means established. The term “and” (in the sūtra) implies that if there be Puruṣa as the creator, Śakti is no longer the cause.

Comparative views of Śaṅkara, Bhāskara and Śrīkaṇṭha:

Criticism of the Pañcarātra view continued: “(There can be) no (origin) of the organ (viz. the mind) from the agent (viz. the individual soul)”.^[1]

Comparative views of Rāmānuja:

This is sūtra 40 in his commentary. As pointed out above, he takes this sūtra as laying down a prima facie view against the Pañcarātra doctrine. Interpretation like Śaṅkara and others.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ś.B. 2.2.43, p. 574; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 2.2.39 (written as 2.2.43), pp. 129; Brahma-sūtras (Śrīkaṇṭha’s commentary) 2.2.40. p. 116, Parts 7 and 8.

[2]:

Śrī-bhāṣya (Madras edition) 2.2.40, p. 115, Part 2.