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 XXV
Adhikarana summary: Attributes
Adhikarana XXV - Attributes mentioned in Chh. 8. 1. 1 and Brih . 4. 4. 22 are to be combined on account of a number of common features in both the texts.
Brahma-Sutra 3.3.39: Sanskrit text and English translation.
कामादीतरत्र तत्र च, आयतनादिभ्यः ॥ ३९ ॥
kāmādītaratra tatra ca, āyatanādibhyaḥ || 39 ||
kāmādi—(True) desire etc.; itaratra—in the other; tatra—(those mentioned) in the other; ca—and; āyatanādibhyaḥ—on account of the abode etc.
39. (Qualities like true) desire etc. (mentioned in the Chhandogya are to be inserted) in the other (i.e. in the Brihadaranyaka) and (those mentioned) in the other (i.e. in the Brihadaranyaka are also to be inserted in the Chhandogya), on account of the abode etc. (being the same in both).
In the Chhandogya 8. 1. 1 we have, “There is the city of Brahman and in it the palace-like lotus and in that the small ether . . . That is the Self” etc. Again in the Brihadaranyaka 4. 4. 22 we have, “That great birthless Self which is identified with the intellect . . . lies(?) in the ether that is within the heart.” The question is whether the two constitute one Vidva and hence the particulars are to be combined, or not. The Sutra says that they form one Vidya, and the qualities mentioned in each are to be combined in the other, ior many points are common to both. There is the same abode, the same Lord is the object of meditation, and sc on. There is, however, one difference between the two texts. The Chhandogya treats of the Saguna Brahman while the Brihadaranyaka treats of the Nirguna Brahman. But then as the Saguna Brahman is in reality one with the Nirguna, this Sutra prescribes combination of qualities for glorifying Brahman, and not for the purpose of Upasana.