Brahma-Sūtra 3.2.21 (correct conclusion, end)

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.2.21 by Roma Bose:

“And on account of observation.”

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

And because in ordinary experience, (comparisons like): ‘A lionlike boy’^[1] are found.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

And because in ordinary life, expressions like ‘A lion-like boy’ and so on are found, this is “so”, i.e. the attribute which is common to the example and the exemplified is to be understood as the relevant portion here. Hence it is established that Brahman is possessed of a two-fold characteristic.

Here ends the section entitled “Possessed of two-fold characteristics” (5).

Comparative views of Śaṅkara and Bhāskara:

Interpretation different, viz. “And because it is seen (i.e. declared by Scripture that Brahman enters within the body)”.^[2]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The whole point is that when one thing is compared to another, that does not imply that the two must be similar in all respects, but only that they are so in some intended points. E.g. when a boy is compared to a lion that evidently does not mean that he has four feet, thirst for blood, etc. like the lion, but simply that he is as brave as the lion. Hence only this point, viz. braveness, is to be taken into account here. Similar is the case with Brahman and the sun.

[2]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṅkara’s commentary) 3.2.21, p. 730; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 3.2.22, p. 168.