Brahma-Sūtra 4.1.16

English of translation of Brahmasutra 4.1.16 by Roma Bose:

“But the Agni-hotra and the rest (are to be performed) with a view to that effect (viz. knowledge) alone, on account of the observation of that.”

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

It is not to be apprehended that through knowledge there results the cessation of the duties incumbent on one’s own stage of life, such as, Agni-hotra^[1], charity, austerity and so on. They are to be performed indeed, as they foster knowledge. The scriptural text about sacrifice and so on, prove them to be productive of knowledge.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

It has been stated that through the might of knowledge, there results the non-clinging of the other too, i.e. of the good deeds too. Similarly, there results the non-clinging of the daily and occasional duties incumbent on one’s own stage of life. Hence they are not to be performed,—this objection the author disposes of now.

On the doubt, viz. whether the daily and occasional duties like the Agni-hotra and the rest are to be performed by a knower or not,—if it be suggested: Through knowledge there result the non-clinging and destruction of good and evil deeds. What is the use of performing them, seeing that there results the cessation of the Agni-hotra and the rest too, they too being good deeds equally?—

We reply: The word “but” clearly indicates the speciality of the Agni-hotra and the rest. “The Agni-hotra and the rest,” i.e. the daily and occasional duties incumbent on one’s own stage of life, are to be performed by a knower “with a view to that effect alone”, viz. the production of knowledge alone. Why? “On account of the observation of that,” i.e. because the text: “Him, the Brāhmaṇas desire to know,^[2] by sacrifice, by charity, by austerity, by fasting” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.22) declares the duties incumbent on one’s own stage of life, such as, Āgni-hotra and the rest, to be means to knowledge. Knowledge is to be acquired so long as life lasts. Hence the duties incumbent on the stages of life are to be performed so long as life lasts.

Comparative views of Śaṅkara and Bhāskara:

Interpretation of the phrase “tat-kāryyāya” different, viz. “for the sake of that effect (viz. salvation)”. That is, just as knowledge produces salvation, so does works like Agni-hotra and the rest.^[3] Of course, Śaṅkara points out that works are indirect means to salvation, i.e. produce knowledge which produces salvation; while according to Bhāskara, it is a direct means.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Oblation to fire.

[2]:

“By the recitation of the Veda.”

[3]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṅkara’s commentary) 4.1.16, pp. 923-24; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 4.1.16, p. 225.