Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
by Swami Vireshwarananda | 1936 | 124,571 words | ISBN-10: 8175050063
This is the English translation of the Brahma-sutras including the commentary (Bhashya) of Shankara. The Brahma-sutra (or, Vedanta-sutra) is one of the three canonical texts of the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy and represents an early exposition the Vedantic interpretation of the Upanishads. This edition has the original Sanskrit text, the r...
Chapter III, Section III, Adhikarana XI
Adhikarana summary: The names ‘Ahar’ and ‘Aham’
Adhikarana XI - The names ‘Ahar’ and ‘Aham’ of the Supreme Brahman as abiding in the sun and in the right eye respectively, given in Brih . 5. 5.1-2, cannot be combined, as these are two separate Vidyas.
Brahma-Sutra 3.3.20: Sanskrit text and English translation.
संबन्धादेवमन्यत्रापि ॥ २० ॥
saṃbandhādevamanyatrāpi || 20 ||
saṃbandhāt—On account of the connection; evam—like this; anyatra—in other cases; api—also.
20. In other eases also (e.g. in the Vidya of the Satya Brahman) on account of the connection (i.e. the object of the meditation being the Satya Brahman) (we have to combine particulars) like this (i.e. as in the Sandilya Vidya).
This Sutra sets forth the view of the opponent. “Satya is Brahman. . . . That which is Satya is that sun—the being who is in that orb and the being who is in the right eye” (Brih. 5. 5. 1-2). This gives the abode of the Satya Brahman with respect to the gods and the body, and two secret names of the Satya Brahman are also taught in connection with these abodes; the former is ‘Ahar’ and the latter ‘Aham’. Now on the analogy of the Sandilya Vidya, since the object of meditation is one, viz. the Satya Brahman, we must combine the particulars. Therefore both the names ‘Ahar’ and ‘Aham’ have to be combined with respect to Satya Brahman.
Brahma-Sutra 3.3.21: Sanskrit text and English translation.
न वा, विशेषात् ॥ २१ ॥
na vā, viśeṣāt || 21 ||
na vā—Rather not; viśeṣāt—on account of difference.
21. Rather not (so) on account of the difference (of abode).
This Sutra refutes the view of the previous Sutra. Though the Vidya is one, still owing to difference in abodes the object of meditation becomes different; hence the different names. Therefore these cannot be exchanged or combined.
Brahma-Sutra 3.3.22: Sanskrit text and English translation.
दर्शयति च ॥ २२ ॥
darśayati ca || 22 ||
darśayati—(The scripture) declares; ca—also.
22. (The scripture) also declares (that).
The scripture distinctly states that the attributes are not to be combined, but kept apart; for it compares the two persons, the person in the sun and in the right eye. If it wanted the particulars to be combined, it would not institute such a comparison.