Brahma-Sūtra 3.4.9 (correct conclusion, continued)

English of translation of Brahmasutra 3.4.9 by Roma Bose:

“But the scriptural declaration is equal.”

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

“The scriptural declaration,”—viz.: ‘“For what purpose shall we study, for what purpose shall we perform sacrifices’”^[1] and so on,—establishing that knowledge is not a subsidiary part of work, is of equal weight.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

To the objection, viz.: “On account of conduct being seen” (Brahma-sūtra 3.4.3), knowledge is a subsidiary part of work,—we reply:

“The scriptural declaration” of the non-performance of works by knowers, establishing that knowledge is not a subsidiary part of action, is of equal weight, such as: “Knowing this, forsooth, the sages descended from Kavaṣa said: ‘For what purpose shall we study, for what purpose shall we perform sacrifices?’”, “Knowing this, indeed, those ancient ones did not perform the Agni-hotra sacrifice” (Kauṣītaki-upaniṣad 2.5^[2]), “Verily, having known that self, the Brāhmaṇas, rising above the desires for sons, the desires for wealth,—^[3] live the life of mendicants” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 3.5.1). Our view is that the performance of works without any desire for results, but only with a desire for knowledge, is justified. This (the author) will state under the aphorism “And reference to all, on account of the scriptural text about sacrifice and so on, as in the case of a horse” (Brahma-sūtra 3.4.26). It has been stated by the Lord too thus: ‘“By work also, Janaka and others attained perfection”’ (Gītā 3.20), and ‘“The knowers should similarly act without attachment, desiring the welfare of the world’” (Gītā 3.25). The sense is that if we hold that knowledge is a subsidiary part of work, then the scriptural text about the non-performance of work will come to be contradicted.^[4]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Quoted by Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja, Bhāskara, Śrīkaṇṭha and Baladeva.

[2]:

For correct quotation see Kauṣītaki-upaniṣad, p. 114.

[3]:

‘Desires for worlds.’

[4]:

I.e. if we hold that knowledge is not a subsidiary part of work, then those texts which do enjoin the performance of works on the part of knowers may very well be explained as enjoining the performance of works in a purely disinterested spirit with a view to the attainment of knowledge. But if we hold that knowledge is a subsidiary part of work, then those scriptural texts which enjoin the non-performance of action cannot be explained in any way.