Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
by George Thibaut | 1890 | 203,611 words
English translation of the Brahma sutras (aka. Vedanta Sutras) with commentary by Shankaracharya (Shankara Bhashya): One of the three canonical texts of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. The Brahma sutra is the exposition of the philosophy of the Upanishads. It is an attempt to systematise the various strands of the Upanishads which form the ...
I, 3, 37
37. And on account of (Gautama) proceeding (to initiate Jābāla) on the ascertainment of (his) not being that (i.e. a Śūdra).
The Śūdras are not qualified for that reason also that Gautama, having ascertained Jābāla not to be a Śūdra from his speaking the truth, proceeded to initiate and instruct him. 'None who is not a Brāhmaṇa would thus speak out. Go and fetch fuel, friend, I shall initiate you. You have not swerved from the truth' (Ch. Up. IV, 4, 5); which scriptural passage furnishes an inferential sign (of the Śūdras not being capable of initiation).