Brahma-Sūtra 2.3.35

English of translation of Brahmasutra 2.3.35 by Roma Bose:

“Also on account of the designation (of the soul as an agent) with regard to actions, otherwise, (there will be) reversal of description.”

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

“Also on account of the designation (of the soul) as an agent” thus: ‘Understanding performs a sacrifice’ (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 2.5^[1]), the soul is an agent. If by the word ‘understanding’ buddhi be understood and not the individual soul, the instrumental case would have been used.^[2]

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

“Also on account of the designation” of the individual soul, denoted by the term ‘knowledge’, as an agent of ordinary and Vedic “actions” thus: ‘Understanding performs a sacrifice, performs actions as well’ (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 2.5), the individual soul is an agent.

If it be objected: By the term ‘understanding’ buddhi is to be understood and not the individual soul,—(the author) replies: “Otherwise, i.e. if by the term ‘understanding’ the individual soul be not understood, but buddhi is understood, then there must be “reversal of the description”, i.e. buddhi being the instrument, there must have been the designation of an instrument thus: ‘by understanding But there is no such designation. Hence, here is a designation of an agent by the stated case-ending, viz. ‘Understanding’. Hence the individual soul is an agent.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Quoted by Śaṅkara, Baladeva, Bhāskara, Śrīkaṇṭha, Baladeva.

[2]:

I.e. the instrumental case ‘vijñānena’ would have been used.