Brahma-Sūtra 3.1.25

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.1.25 by Roma Bose:

“If it be objected that (sacrifices and the rest are) impure, (we reply:) no, on account of scriptural text.”

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

If it be objected that their works like Jyotiṣṭoma and the rest are “impure”, involving, as they do, the killing of living creatures, and therefore these lead them to immobile births,—we reply: No impurity is involved in Jyotiṣṭoma and the rest, on account of scriptural injunction.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

If it be objected: The works of those who perform sacrifices and the rest, viz. Jyotiṣṭoma and the rest, are “impure”, involving, as they do, the sacrificing of animals to Agni and Soma and so on. Thus, after having experienced the fruit of the meritorious portion of those sacrifices and so on in heaven, they attain immobile births as rice and so on for experiencing the fruit of that part of their action which is of a harmful nature,—

We reply: No. Why? “On account of scriptural text,” i.e. because Jyotiṣṭoma and the rest being acts of righteousness pure and simple “on account of scriptural text”, are causes of happiness only. The sense is that the texts forbidding acts of unrighteousness like killing etc., viz. “Let no one harm any creature” (Mahābhārata (Asiatic Society edition) 12.9971^[1]), are not set aside by the texts enjoining acts of righteousness and indicating happiness as the reward. Such killing of sacrificial animals is indeed beneficial to those animals themselves, in accordance with the sacred text: “Thou dost not die, thou art not hurt, thou goest to the gods through easy paths. Where men of good deeds go and not evil-doers, there may the sun-god lead thee” (Taittirīya-brāhmaṇa 3.7.7.14^[2]). Hence such acts are not impure.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

P. 716, line 26, vol. 3.

[2]:

P. 147, lines 6-8, vol. 3. Bibliotheca Indica ed.