Brahma-Sūtra 4.2.4

English of translation of Brahmasutra 4.2.4 by Roma Bose:

“That in the ruler, on account of its approach and so on.”

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

The vital-breath is united with the individual soul. Why ? On account of the texts indicating “its approach”, viz. “Thus, verily, do all the vital-breaths approach together to the soul at the time of death” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.3.38^[1]), “He going out, the vital-breath goes out after Him” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.2^[2]), “Or, who staying should I stay?” (Praśna 6.3^[3]). The vital-breath, connected with the individual soul, is united with fire,—this is the resultant meaning.

Śrīnivāsa’s commentary (Vedānta-kaustubha)

Thus, the meaning of the text “The mind in the vital-breath” (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.8.6) has been determined. Now, the author states the meaning of the text: “The vital-breath in fire” (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.8.6).

On the doubt, viz. whether the text: “The vital-breath in the fire (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.8.6) denotes that the vital-breath is united with fire or with the individual soul,—the prima facie view is: Just as in the previous cases, it is known from scriptural texts that speech is united with the mind and the mind with the vital-breath, so too, it is definitely ascertained from a scriptural text that the vital-breath is, united with fire alone. Compare: “The vital-breath into the fire” (Chāndogya-upaniṣad 6.8.6),

With regard to this, we reply: “That, i.e. the vital-breath with which the mind is united, merges “in the ruler”, i.e. in the individual soul, the ruler of the body and the sense-organs, i.e. is united with it. Why? “On account of its approach,” i.e. on account of its approach, going after and staying. Thus, to begin with, the approach of the vital-breath to ‘the ruler’ is declared in the scriptural, text: “Just as the servants go towards a king who wishes to set on a journey, so do all vital-breaths approach together to the soul at the time of death (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.3.38). The going after of the vital-breaths with ‘the ruler is declared in the scriptural texts: “When he comes to breathe upwards” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.3.38), “He going out, the vital-breath goes out after him” (Bṛhadāraṇyaka-upaniṣad 4.4.22). The staying of the vital-breath with ‘the ruler’ is declared in the scriptural text: ‘“Who going out, shall I go out, or who staying stay ?”’ (Praśna 6.3). The vital-breath, united with the individual soul, is united with fire. Hence it is established that the vital-breath being united with the individual soul is again united with fire together with it.

Here ends the section entitled “The ruler” (3).

Comparative views of Śaṅkara and Bhāskara:

As before, they hold that the function of the vital-breath is merged in the individual soul.^[4]

Comparative views of Śrīkaṇṭha:

He reads: “adhyakṣena” in place of “adhykṣe[?]”^[5]. Interpretation same.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

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

[2]:

Quoted by Śaṅkara, Rāmānuja and Bhāskara.

[3]:

Quoted by Rāmānuja.

[4]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śaṃkara’s commentary) 4.1.4, p. 932; Brahma-sūtras (Bhāskara’s Commentary) 4.1.4, p. 228.

[5]:

Brahma-sūtras (Śrīkaṇṭha’s commentary) 4.1.4, p. 452, Parts 10 and 11.