Brahma-Sūtra 3.4.1

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.4.1 by Roma Bose:

“The end of men (arises) from this, on account of scriptural statement, so Bādarāyaṇa thinks.”

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

Brahman can be attained through knowledge^[1], “on account of the scriptural statement”, viz,: “The knower of Brahman attains the highest” (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 2.1^[2]) “so” the reverend “Bādarāyaṇa” thinks.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

In the previous quarter, discussions about the non-difference of meditations, the consequent combination or non-combination of details and so on were undertaken. Now, in this quarter, the problem as to whether the end of men arises from knowledge or from action, its subsidiary part, and so on is being discussed.

On the doubt, viz. whether the end of men results from knowledge or from action, a subsidiary part of meditation, first (the author) begins with the correct conclusion. The end, i.e. the purpose, of men, viz. the attainment of Brahman, arises “from this”, i.e. from knowledge. Why? “On account of scriptural statement,” i.e. on account of scriptural statements like: “The knower of the self crosses over grief” (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 7.1.3), “Verily, he who knows the Supreme Brahman becomes Brahman indeed” (Muṇḍaka-upaniṣad 3.2.9), “The knower of Brahman attains the highest” (Taittirīya-upaniṣad 2.1), “He attains all the worlds” (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 8.7.1, 2.3; 8.12.6)^[3], “I know this great person of the colour of the sun, beyond darkness” (Vājasaneya-saṃhitā 31.18; Śvetāśvatara-upaniṣad 3.8), “Knowing him thus one becomes immortal on earth; there is no other way to salvation” (Taittirīya-āraṇyaka 3.12^[4]), “Just as the flowing rivers merge in the sea, discarding names and forms, so a knower, freed from name and form, attains the celestial Person, higher than the high” (Muṇḍaka-upaniṣad 3.2.8), “When the seer sees the Golden-coloured creator, the Lord, the Person, the source of Brahma, then the knower, having discarded merit and demerit, stainless attains the highest equality” (Muṇḍ, 3.1.3) and so on,—“so” the reverend “Bādarāyaṇa” thinks.

Comparative views of Baladeva:

The word “puruṣārtha” does not mean only ‘salvation’ according to Mm, but all the four ends of men, viz. religious merit, wealth, enjoyment and salvation. The prima facie view is that meditation brings about salvation only and not heaven and the rest. The answer is that not only salvation, but all the four end of men arise from meditation.^[5]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

That is, knowledge leading to meditation, not knowledge in the Śaṃkarite sense.

[2]:

Quoted by Śaṃkara, Quoted by Rāmānuja, Quoted by Bhāskara, Quoted by Śrīkaṇṭha

[3]:

Correct quotation: “Sarvāṃś ca”, vide Chāndogya-upaniṣad, p. 440.

[4]:

P. 199.

[5]:

Govinda-bhāṣya 3.4.1.