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 XIV
Adhikarana summary: Detached Mantras that do not form part of the Brahma-vidya
Adhikarana XIV - Detached Mantras like “Pierce the whole (body of the enemy)” etc. and sacrifices mentioned at the beginning of certain Upanishads do not form part of the Brahma Vidya inculcated in the Upanishads.
Brahma-Sutra 3.3.25: Sanskrit text and English translation.
वेधाद्यर्थभेदात् ॥ २५ ॥
vedhādyarthabhedāt || 25 ||
vedhādi—Piercing etc.; arthabhedāt—because they have a different meaning.
25. (Certain Mantras relating to) piercing etc. (are not part of the Vidyas though mentioned near by) because they have a different meaning.
At the beginning of the Upanishad of the Atharvanikas we have, “Pierce the whole (body of the enemy), pierce his heart” etc. Similarly at the beginning of other Upanishads of other Sakhas we have Mantras. The question is, whether these Mantras and the sacrifices referred to in the Brahmanas in close proximity to the Upanishads are to be combined with the Vidyas prescribed by these Upanishads. The Sutra says that they are not to be combined, for their meaning is different, inasmuch as they indicate acts of a sacrifice and therefore have no connection with the Vidyas. The piercing, for example, is connected with some ceremony to destroy one’s enemy.