Brahma Sutras (Nimbarka commentary)

by Roma Bose | 1940 | 290,526 words

English translation of the Brahma-sutra 3.3.11, including the commentary of Nimbarka and sub-commentary of Srinivasa known as Vedanta-parijata-saurabha and Vedanta-kaustubha resepctively. Also included are the comparative views of important philosophies, viz., from Shankara, Ramanuja, Shrikantha, Bhaskara and Baladeva.

Brahma-Sūtra 3.3.11

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.3.11 by Roma Bose:

“Bliss and the rest (are to be understood everywhere), (on account of the non-difference) of the chief.”

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

The substratum of attributes (viz. Brahman) being the same, the attributes like “bliss and the rest” are to be inserted in all the meditations on the Highest.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

Now, the question of the combination of the essential attributes of Brahman is being considered.

The phrase: ‘On account of non-difference’ is to be supplied (from the preceding aphorism). On the doubt, viz. whether the attributes of Brahman, such as, bliss and the rest, are to be included in all meditations on Brahman or not—the suggestion is: these attributes are not to be so included, because the texts of every Vedānta are complete by themselves and do not require other texts to complete their meaning; because there is no restriction with regard to the inclusion of qualities not mentioned in a particular section; and because the meditating devotees can attain their goals from that very knowledge which they derive from a particular section where certain attributes are recorded,—

We reply: On account of the sameness “of the chief”, i.e. as Brahman, the substratum of attributes, is the common object to be meditated on in all these Brahma-vidyas, His attributes, viz. “bliss and the rest”, are to be comprised everywhere. It being impossible for texts to have a complete sense in isolation, the attributes, not mentioned in a particular section, should, nevertheless, be inserted there from another section for the benefit of meditating devotees.

Comparative views of Baladeva:

This is sūtra 12 in his commentary. He takes this sūtra as forming an adhikaraṇa by itself. Interpretation same.

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