Brahma-Sūtra 2.4.7

English of translation of Brahmasutra 2.4.7 by Roma Bose:

“And atomic.”

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

In accordance with the scriptural text regarding going out, viz.: ‘All the sense-organs go out’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2 ^[1]), the sense-organs are “atomic”.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

Now the author is showing the size of the sense-organs.

On the doubt, viz. whether the sense-organs are atomic or all-pervading, the Sāṃkhyas maintain that they are all-pervasive, being effects of the unlimited ahaṃkāra. In accordance with the scriptural text also: ‘These are equal and infinite’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 1.5.13), they are certainly all-pervading, this is the prima facie view.

The correct conclusion is that in conformity with the scriptural text about their going out, viz.: ‘The vital-breath going out, all the sense-organs go out’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2), they are atomic. There is no fixed rule that unlimited effects arise from what is unlimited, it being found that a small flower arises from a huge tree and so on. The above-quoted scriptural text, on the other hand, simply lays down that the sense-organs are innumerable, or serves the purpose of meditation, mentioned in the scriptural text: ‘Now who, verily, meditates on these, the infinite’ (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 1.5.13). Hence it is established that the sense-organs are atomic.

Here ends the section entitled “The atomicity of the sense-organs” (3).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Quoted by Rāmānuja, Quoted by Śaṃkara, Quoted by Baladeva