Brahma-Sūtra 2.4.5

English of translation of Brahmasutra 2.4.5 by Roma Bose:

“On account of the going of the seven, and on account of being specified.”

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

On the doubt, viz. whether they are seven or eleven, the prima facie view is as follows: Because of the going (of the sense-organs), mentioned in the passage: ‘The vital-breath going out all the sense-organs go out’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2^[1]), and because of their being specified as seven only in that very passage: ‘He does not see,—does not smell,—does not taste,—does not speak,—does not hear,—does not think,—does not touch’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2^[2]), the sense-organs are seven only.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

Now, desirous of determining the number of the sense-organs, the author is stating the prima facie view with a view to removing the contradictions among the texts about it.

On the doubt, viz. whether these sense-organs are seven or eleven, (the prima facie objector replies:) “Because of the going of seven”, mentioned in the passage: ‘The vital-breath going out, all the sense-organs go out’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2), they are seven only. How is it known that seven alone go out? “Because of (their) being specified,” i.e. because in the passage: “When the person in the sun moves about back, then he becomes non-knowing of forms, he becomes one, he does not see, does not smell, does not taste, does not speak, does not hear, does not think, does not touch’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.1-2), only seven, like the eye, etc., are specified.

Comparative views of Śaṅkara:

According to him “gateḥ” = avagateḥ, i.e. because of understanding.^[3]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Quoted by Baladeva.

[2]:

Not quoted by others. The phrase: “iti āhuḥ ekī-bhavati” is to be supplied in each dotted portion.

[3]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṅkara’s commentary) 2.4.5, p. 653.