अणुभाष्य (महाप्रभु वल्लभाचार्य - शुद्धाद्वैत वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र महाभाष्य प्रकाश टीका सहित)

Bhagaval-līlā: In the discussion, “Is the Bhagaval-līlā the product of māyā or not”, this being only in Bhagavān, being based in Brahman which is of the nature of Sat-cit-ānanda, and being not different from its nature, it is not the effect of māyā. This Bhagaval-līlā does not proceed with a view to achieving any specific purpose; “na prayojanavatvāt” – this sūtra illustrates this. But, it is like the sporting activities of the world; see sūtra “lokavat-tu-līlā kaivalyam”; it is merely a sport; self-experience is mokṣa. It is told in the Bhāṣya that its (līlā’s) mere mention will give mokṣa. Līlā is in the nature of Brahman itself, has been produced by Bhagavān and it is un-worldly; therefore, it cannot be contended, that it is not the product of māyā. The answer to this objection is: “The definition of this sport in Subodhinī – “instigated by happiness, being performed without tiring efforts, the act is called sport”; alternatively, without tiresomeness, and with pleasure, the act performed is līlā.” Now, another objection: This līlā is seen here in this world’s mountains and forests, and being in the midst of prapañca, it is fleeting or ephemeral; no; prapañca itself is the creation of Bhagavān as told by Āchārya; līlā being part of this prapañca which is the creation of Bhagavān – “jayati jananivāso devakī janmavādo yaduvarapariṣat-svair-dorbhirasyan-adharmam | sthira-cara-vṛjinaghnaḥ susmita-śrīmukhena vrajapura-vanitānām vardhayan kāmadevam ||” (Bhāgavata 10/10/48) As per this statement of Śrī Bhāgavata the fourth prasthāna; In this śloka, the present tense used in the word “jayati” denotes the līlās performed in Vraja in the past, and the ‘śatṛ’ suffix in the word “vardhayan” denotes that at that time of the story and at that instant, there existed all the unseen sports. Therefore, as can be seen in the context of naming the child, Garga’s statement in the Bhāgavata – “bhagaval-līlānām xxii

trikālātītatvam, nitya-vartamānatvam-pravartamānatvañca jñāpyate” i.e. the sports of Bhagavān are beyond the three tenses, past, present and future – it is ever in the present – and will also be in future – is denoted. “bahūni santi nāmāni rūpāṇi ca sutasya te | guṇa-karmānurūpāṇi tānyaham Veda no janāḥ ||” (Bhāga. 10/8/15) Here, the word “santi” is used; it is evident from this that the līlā is eternally present. No; we see in the world that a cook or a teacher is so called even when he is not engaged in that specific act; here too, it is to be so interpreted and not otherwise. The answer is – “not so”. The un-worldly sport is beyond this world’s ken of knowledge, and even though the līlā spoken of here is connected with this world, it should not be established by the example of this world. In this world, even a timid person is praised as a lion among men; whereas the above statement is not so. Here, according to the statement of Garga, as the name denotes, the qualities are to be construed; as per the acts, the form is to be seen; i.e. one who rears the cows is cow-herd; one who gives mukti is Mukunda; etc. No; at the time of naming the child, the sports were yet to take place; then, how was it possible to name the child according to the non-existing sports? This doubt does not arise; because the sports of Bhagavān are eternal and they are going on eternally. In this manner, sports like Pūtanā-śakaṭa- bhañjana-Kāliya-damana etc. were already known, but were not performed at that instant by the desire of Bhagavān. Therefore, the sports of Bhagavān are eternal and are not limited by time and space; they are there at all places, at one place, in all forms and in various forms by the mere desire of Bhagavān and therefore, they are not the product of māyā at any time. Let the un-worldly sports of Bhagavān be not the product of māyā; but, as in the world, on the question “are the sports the products of māyā or not”, the answer is an emphatic ‘no’. As xxiii

shown in the sūtra “Tat-tvabhāve sandhyavad-upapatteḥ” (Br.Su.4/4/13), to delude the non-divine people, Bhagavān shows Himself as ordinary human beings, but in truth, He is not so. For those whose thoughts are clouded and are non- divine, as described in the Bhagavadgītā (16/18-20) – “mama- ātma-para-deheṣu pradviṣanto-abhyasūyakāḥ”... “tato yānti- adhamāṁ gatim” – these people are of non-divine nature and are not fit for emancipation. In this manner, showing the reasons for finding fault in the sports of Bhagavān, in the following sūtra the reasons are shown for seeing the praise-worthiness of the sports of Bhagavān – “bhāve jāgradvat” (Br.Su.4/4/14). As per this sūtra, the meaning of the word “līlā” and in the act of līlā itself, which appear as of this world, what the devotees see is non-worldly; as in the case of a person who gets rid of his clouded vision, and gets the correct vision. In this manner, Bhagavān, by his own desire, removes the effect of māyā from the minds of his devotees, and to make them enjoy the different experiences of his different sports, enacts them as such. In certain cases, He performs false sports also as in the battle of Saubha. Therefore, to delude the un-godly people, He performs sports as in the world. Here the Bhāṣya – “ata eva līlāyaḥ anekarūpatvāt, brahmaṇaśca śrutau Saindhava dṛṣṭānte, naikarasatva-nirūpaṇāt, suddha-brahma-dharmatvaṁ na sambhavatīti śaṅkā-nirāsāya kaivalyam ityuktam” (“lokavat-tu- līlā-kaivalyam”). “sākṣī cetā kevalo nirguṇaśca” in these śrutis, the pure state, devoid of any other attribute, that is stated is also of the nature of sports. The pure param-brahman is of sportive nature only, and not, at any time, devoid of it is intended here. From this it can be concluded that the sports are in the nature of Brahman, and thus, they are eternal. (Br.Su.4/4/14 Bhāṣya). The attribute of smell occurs in earth only and not in water i.e. its appearance at one place and non-appearance at another xxiv

place. Likewise, the experience of Bhagaval-līlā is seen in the devotees and not in the haters of God. Even now, similar experience of Bhagaval-līlā of those times by the devotees are being heard, by the desire and condescendence of God. Thus, Bhagavān is always combined with his sports at all times and all places. The Lord Govardhanadhara for protecting his devotees, just to fulfil the desires of His devotees, by this desire and sympathy, appears and disappears. Therefore, this is the conclusion in the system that Bhagavān's sports are not product of māyā at any time. “prabhoreva phalatvaṁ nirdoṣatvañ-ca varṇyate । līlā-nityavataḥ pūrṇa-guṇatvam ca tato-akhilam ॥” (Āchārya kārikā) Bhakti Nirūpaṇam Definition of Bhakti has been given by Āchāryacaraṇa in his Nibandha as – “Māhātmya-jñānapūrvastu sudṛḍhaḥ sarvato-adhikaḥ । Sneho bhaktiriti proktaḥ tayā muktir nacānyathā ॥” (Śā.pra.kā.45) Bhakti-svarūpa has been explained by Āchārya by this kārikā. Sneho bhaktiḥ. When one understands that Bhagavān is the soul, sneha – affection – takes place. “Gauṇascenna ātmaśabdāt (Br.Su.1/1/5) – as per this sūtra the word ‘gauṇa’ should not be interpreted as attached with guṇa, ātma-śabdāt – Here the Bhāṣya says – ātma śabdaḥ punaḥ sarveṣu vedānteṣu nirguṇa- parabrahma-vācakatvenaiva siddhaḥ. Tasyaiva Jagat-kartṛtvam śrutirāha.” This sentence means, nirguṇa-sākāra-parabrahman only is the Creator of this world; He only is the indwelling soul; He only is Bhagavān Śrī Kṛṣṇa. “Kṛṣiḥ means ‘Bhū’; ‘ṇaḥ’ means riddance. The identity of these two denotes param-Brahma Kṛṣṇaḥ”; this is how the Gopālatāpaniyopaniṣad describes. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the one brought up in the laps of Yaśodā, is Param- Brahma – this is made clear in all the śruti, smṛti śāstras; therefore, xxv

the word 'bhakti' means sneha in Śrī Kṛṣṇa; this is the primary meaning; its use in other places is redundant. Sat-cit-ānandam Brahma sports in the world in three ways; here, the jagat is 'ādhibhautikam'; Akṣara-Brahman is ādhyātmikam; Ādhi-daivikam param Brahma, "puruṣaśca-adhi- daivatam" smṛti says. Likewise, there are three ways for the sports of Bhagavān – ādhi-bhautika mārga, i.e. karma; ādhyātmika mārga, i.e. jñānam; ādhi-daiviko mārgaḥ, i.e. bhaktiḥ. Here, the first one, ādhi-bhautikaḥ – the karma mārga is restricted to world; the second, jñāna mārga ends in Akṣara; third, the bhakti mārga ends in Puruṣottama para-Brahman. The jñānis think that the ultimate end is Akṣara Brahman; but, bhaktas consider this Akṣara Brahman as the dhāma – residence – of Para-Brahma, Pūrṇa Puruṣottama. The evidence for this is – “avyakto'Akṣara ityuktaḥ tamāhuḥ paramāṁ gatim | yaṁ prāpya na nivartante tad-dhāma paramam mama || (Gītā 8/21) Likewise – “yasmāt kṣaram-atīto'ham akṣarādapi cottamaḥ | ato'smi loke vede ca prathitaḥ puruṣottamaḥ ||” (Gītā 15/18) by these testimonies, the meaning of the Vedas and the śāstras is known as bhakti. Well, how do you come to the conclusion that the meaning of the Vedas and other śāstras is bhakti? The answer is - “yatra nānyat paśyati; nānyat śruṇoti; nānyat vijānāti; sa bhūmā; sa vā eṣa evam paśyan evam manvānaḥ evam vijānan, ātma-ratiḥ; ātma-krīḍaḥ; ātma-mithunaḥ; ātmānandaḥ; sa svarāḍ bhavati;” “parambrahmaitad yo dhyāyati, rasati, bhajati, so amṛto bhavati;” “nāham vedair, na tapasā, na dānena, na cejyayā śakya evam vidho draṣṭum dṛṣṭavānasi māṁ yathā;” “bhaktyā tvananyayā śakyaḥ;” “aham bhakta-parādhīnaḥ;” “bhaktyā tutoṣa Bhagavān gajayūthapāya” – by these śruti, smṛti testimonials, only bhakti has been elucidated. By these the sarvātma-bhāva nature of bhakti only is conveyed. xxvi

In Chāndogya, the Sanatkumāra-Nārada dialogue of Bhūmavidyā, by the words "yatra nānyat paśyati" etc. talks of the absence of any other element; this very vidyā again talks of that state of separation from Bhagavān wherein, by the ultimate longing, forgetting the prapañca, at all places, only the Bhagavat svarūpa is experienced, by these words – "sa eva adhastāt, sa eva upariṣṭād, sa paścāt" etc. 'Thereafter, the experiences in the state of separation from Bhagavān are described as not the necessary concomitants, and to remind this, the "ahaṅkāra ādeśa" – "ahameva adhastāt, ahameva upariṣṭād" etc. are given; then comes the ātmādeśa – "ātmaiva adhastāt, ātmopariṣṭād" etc. Likewise, still further, by the words "ātma-ratiḥ; ātma-krīḍaḥ; ātma- mithunaḥ" etc. it extols the Bhagavān as of the nature of "rasa". Here, the word "ātma" is taken to mean "pūrṇa puruṣottama" in the siddhānta and not the Akṣara or jīva. This is evident from the sūtra "gauṇaścen-na-ātmaśabdāt"; by this sūtra, that thing which is the ultimate existence, is what is told mainly in all the Vedānta. By this, the sarvātma-bhāva nature of bhakti only is conveyed and this is the main purport. This bhakti is achieved only through the grace of God; it is so told in the śruti – "na-ayam ātmā pravacanena labhyaḥ; na medhayā; na bahunā śrutena; yamevaiṣa vṛṇute tena labhyaḥ; tasyaiṣa ātmā vivṛṇute tanūm svām" (Kaṭho. 1/2/23). Here, the word ātma means Puruṣottama; "pravacanena means 'sasvara vedādhyayanena'. By this it is clear that the 'puṣṭi-bhakti' can be attained only by the desire of Bhagavān. The word "sva" means self, and when desired as one's own self, He gives the 'puṣṭi- bhakti' of the nature of 'sarvātma-bhāva'. Here the Bhāṣya – "for all individual souls, Bhagavān, naturally is the master; but, then, whom He desires as His own, him He protects even as a husband would his wife; bhakta also protects Him due to the affection generated by the varaṇa; He, like the Bhakta, protects him in Himself. (Aṇu Bhāṣya 4/4/15). This statement of the Bhāṣya indicates that 'sneha' affection xxvii

is the important and chief element of bhakti; that is why Vyāsa has shown the example of 'pradīpa' – lamp (Dīpaka) – instead of 'ayo-golaka' – heated iron ball – in his sūtra “pradīpavad-āveśaḥ; tathā hi darśayati”. This 'sneha' has 'śṛṅgāra' as its chief element as shown by the damsels of Vraja whose 'sthāyi-bhāva' was nothing but 'rati' and hence, bhakti-rasa also means the same 'śṛṅgāra'. This experience is non-worldly and is of the nature of 'saṁyoga' – togetherness – and 'viprayoga' – separation. This alaukika śṛṅgāra – non-worldly love, though similar to the worldly love, is not the same; because, it is known through the non-worldly means of knowledge, and not known through the worldly means of knowledge. In fact, in this bhakti, the mere doubt of its being this worldly is meaningless. Ṛṣis like Vātsyāyana and others wrote their treatises just to elucidate this bhagavat-bhāva experience. Ṛṣis intentions are not to convey the worldly experiences at any time. That is why, it is said – “tadetat brahmacaryeṇa parameṇa samādhinā vihito lokayātrārthaṁ na rāgārtho'asya samvidhiḥ; rakṣan dharmārthakāmānstrīn sampaśyam-lokavartinām; asya śāstrasya tatvajño bhavatyeva jitendriyaḥ”. If the intention of those writers were to be of this world, then they would not have said the end-result as ' jitendriya-bhavana' – becoming one who has won over his senses. This meaning has been elaborately shown by the Āchārya in his Bhāṣya on “liṅgabhūyastvādhikaraṇa” and in “kratuvaj- jyāyastvādhikaraṇa”. Likewise by Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa in his Prakāśa and by Śrī Gopeśacaraṇa in his Raśmi. The nature of this bhakti is 'śṛṅgāra' and it is of the nature of togetherness and separation; separation generates a suffering of longing; how then can it be of the nature of pleasure and that too, immeasurably? The answer is the śruti “yo vai bhūma tat sukham”; therefore, it is of the nature of only pleasure. In Vedānta, at all places, mukti has been described as of the nature of enjoyment of pleasure. In the Puṣṭi mārga also, the nature of Bhagavān being of ānanda, His prāpti – attainment – is the xxviii

attainment of paramānanda – inestimable pleasure and not the attainment of suffering. On this point, the author of Raśmi, Yogi Gopeśwara enjoins – “asyaiva ca-upapatteḥ ūṣmā” – in the Bhāṣya of this sūtra, ‘tathā hi; asya ānandātmaka-rasa-rūpasya bhagavataḥ eva ayam dharmaḥ; ūṣmā – viraha-tāpaḥ; though the all-pervading Bhagavān is present at all places, because he disappears by His māyā, separation and longing of His company is common for all; but, then, it is not felt by all, but only by those in whose hearts the experience of blissful nature of Bhagavān takes place, and only in his heart the suffering, born out of non-attainment of Him is experienced; this is in tune with the syllogism – “other things being there, it will be there; they being not there, it will not be there.” Therefore, only that object which is of the nature of pleasure can be such; the suffering also here will be of the nature of pleasure.” From the above it is clear that the suffering described here is not born out of karma; if it were to be born out of karma, then its riddance called mokṣa, of the nature of pleasure, will also be shattered. That is why it is said in the śruti – “na paśyo mṛtyum paśyati na rogam no’ta duḥkhatām” – here the nature of this bhakti is described as not of the nature of suffering; but is the cause of suffering though; But, being the means to attain the real Puruṣottama – ānanda-prāpti, it is of the nature of pleasure. If not so, in the state of separation, the śruti would not have said as – ‘citte sphurāyamāṇam ānandatvam’; “ko hi-evānyāt kaḥ prāṇyāt” – this śruti means – “in the state of separation, the Bhagavad-rūpa shining in the heart is the cause for the continuity of life”. Likewise, in the Bhāgavata also – “tāḥ manmanaskā mat-prāṇā madarthe tyakta-daihikāḥ māmeva dayitam preṣṭhamātmānam manasā gatāḥ | ye tyakta-loka-dharmāśca madarthe tān bibharmyaham | (Bhāga. 10/46/4) “Thus, that which is given by Bhagavān, who is one’s most- dear, that which has some connection with Bhagavān and xxix

which is attained by the devotees, all that will be of the nature of pleasure; therefore, for the naive that you are, the un-earthly nature of pleasure of Bhagavān will be the cause of suffering even as the nail-marks of the lover on the bulging breasts of his love, comparable to the pricking of thorns! Let us suffice it at this.” Thus, by the śruti “yo vai bhūma tat sukham; na-alpe sukhamasti” the pleasure that is described is of Brahman only since that is of that nature, and all that is of the nature of pleasure, end by connoting Brahman. In fact, Brahman only is the desired object of jīva. This is what is told in Śrī Bhāgavta: “ahamātmā ātmanāṃ dhātaḥ preṣṭhaḥ san preyasāmapi । ato mayi ratiṃ kuryād dehādir yat-kṛte priya ॥” Here, this should be understood: In Siddhānta, Para-Brahman is of the nature of pleasure ‘rasa’; is the substratum of all opposing qualities; and with form; thus the śruti “ātmaiva pūrvamāsīt puruṣa-vidhaḥ”. The end-result to be attained is Brahmānanda. In the śruti “param-brahmaitad yo dhyāyati rasati bhajati so'amṛto bhavati” the connection of each word with Brahman is to be understood. This bhakti is of the nature of end-result; its definition is – “para- Brahma śrī kṛṣṇa-snehatvam”. Here, by the varaṇa śruti “yameva eṣa vṛṇute tena labhyaḥ” the varaṇa is of two varieties viz. maryādā and Puṣṭi. In the case of maryādā bhakti, the means prescribed in the śāstras are many and that also, is of bodily, mental and verbal nature. Whereas, in the Puṣṭi mārga, varaṇam is the only means. In this mārga, only by the grace of God is the destruction of all the sins. This is so said – “svapāda-mūlaṃ bhajataḥ priyasya tyaktānya-bhāvasya hariḥ pareśaḥ vikarma yaccotpatitaṃ kathañcit dhunoti sarvaṃ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ” ॥ (Bhāga. 11/5/42) xxx

“praviṣṭaḥ karṇa-randhreṇa svānāṁ bhāva-saroruham dhunoti samalam kṛṣṇaḥ padmapatramivāñjasā”॥ In this manner, only by varaṇa (paramātma's desire) – puṣṭi- bhakti is attained by the puṣṭi-bhakta; whereas bhaktas attain through bhakti-mārga – go near to Bhagavān; there, if Bhagavān appears, gets rasānanda; i.e. through all the senses, relation is established with bhagavat-svarūpa. This is told in Bhāgavata – “akṣanvatāṁ phalamidam na param vidāmaḥ”; all kinds of such mental longings are fulfilled by the grace of Bhagavān; “brahmaiva san Brahma apyeti”; “so'śnute sarvān Kāmān saha brahmaṇā” these śrutis are the evidence. This experience of rasa is the highest. By the statement of the Āchārya “brahmānandāt samuddhṛtya bhajanānandayojane,” the akṣara- brahma-ānanda is counted-pleasure and the bhajanananda is uncounted pleasure. Evaluating between these two, jñāna and bhakti, Bhakti is superior.

1. In Bhakti, drinking of the rasa of kṛpānanda is the result; in jñāna, it is merely the absence of suffering.
2. In Bhakti, experience of pleasure in full is the result; in jñāna, dissolving one's self and that too completely, without differentiation – is the result.
3. In Bhakti, the existence of duality made so by Bhagavān and experience of its pleasure is the result; in jñāna, since there is no differentiation, experience of pleasure does not arise.
4. In Bhakti, from the very beginning, there is limitless pleasure; in Jñāna, there is suffering in the beginning, and at the end, attainment of limited ānanda.
5. In Bhakti, it is the attainment of Pūrṇa Puruṣottama; in jñāna, it is the attainment of Akṣara. In this manner, while comparing jñāna and bhakti, bhakti excels. xxxi

"ātmārāmāśca munayaḥ nirgranthā apyarukrame । kurvantyahautikīm bhaktimitthambhūtaguṇo hariḥ ॥" (Bhā.1/7/10) "The great contemplators and renunciates undertake unearthly bhakti in respect of That of big-strides, just for the sake of self-pleasure, because Hari is of those qualities not experienced anywhere else. Therefore, even after getting the brahma-bhāva, one can practise parā bhaktiḥ. This is the unfathomable excellence of Bhagavān, Pūrṇa-Puruṣottama Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the superiority of bhakti. That is why learned people, capable of understanding the rasa and of emotional nature, offering themselves through bhakti, unto Bhagavān Śrī Gopījana-vallabha, become immersed in the experience of pleasure. Therefore, by the sentence "sarva- dharmān parityajya" only Bhagavān is to be accepted as the resort. Only by His grace, Bhagavān makes happen all that is wanted by the devotees. That is why the definition of Puṣṭi is told in Śrī Bhāgavata as – "poṣaṇaṁ tadanugrahaḥ". In Puṣṭi- mārga, it is only the Bhagavad-anugraha, the controller. Bhakti is of two varieties as Maryādā and Puṣṭi. Maryādā- bhakti means bhakti in Bhagavat-caraṇāravinda. Puṣṭi-bhakti means bhakti in Bhagavat-mukhāravinda. Maryādā-bhakti is not independent. Puṣṭi-bhakti is independent. The end-result in Maryādā-bhakti is sāyujyam i.e. attaining similarity with Bhagavān in qualities. In Puṣṭi, it is becoming Bhagavān Himself. Thus, in whose case the grace of Bhagavān descends, he comes into the Puṣṭi; and that grace is inferred by the craving (ruci) etc., shown by the devotee in that mārga. That craving means Bhakti itself. The result of pure Puṣṭi- bhakti means entering into the Nitya-līla and attainment of Puruṣottama. All this has been elaborately explained by the Āchārya in Śrīmad Aṇu-Bhāṣya; it has been vividly explained in his Prakāśa by Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa and by Śrī Gopeśwaracaraṇa in his Prakāśa-Raśmi still more elaborately xxxii

delineated.. One has to understand all this from there. Now, describing the root of Brahman and its nature we conclude here – “kṛṣir bhū-vācakaḥ sabdo; ṇaśca nirvṛtti vācakaḥ; tayoraikyam param Brahma kṛṣṇa ityabhidhīyate ॥ Om Tat Sat Param Brahma Kṛṣṇātmako Nityānandaika- svarūpaḥ ॥ is the śruti. The letter “kṛ” denotes earth; the letter “ṇaḥ” means “redemption”; when these two letters become one Word, it denotes the param-Brahma called Kṛṣṇa. This is confirmed by the śruti sentence quoted. Therefore, Paripūrṇatamaḥ kṛṣṇo vaikuṇṭho gokulaḥ svayam । Caturbhujaśca vaikuṇṭhe gokule dvibhujaḥ svayam । (Bra.vaivartapu.) Kṛṣṇa is the most full-potential god; Gokula is Vaikuṇṭha itself; He only is with four hands in Vaikuṇṭha, and with two hands in Gokula. In this manner, in respect of all the śāstras, the opinion of Śrī Vallabhācārya was explained in short. Therefore, paramānandapūrṇa-Puruṣottama-Parabrahma is Śrī Kṛṣṇa only. What is known from all the Nigamas, Āgamas and others is the para-brahma-svarūpa Śrī Kṛṣṇa and He alone is to be realized and that is the ultimate puruṣārtha and this is the Śuddhādvaita-Brahma-vāda. This attainment is not possible without bhakti, vide the śruti – “nāyamātmā balahīnena labhyaḥ.” Here, the word “bala” means bhakti. Therefore, in the pure puṣṭi-bhakti, love is the deciding factor. Bhakti, i.e. love without any conditioning factor, is the Sarvātma-bhāva. Only this is the chief means for the attainment of Pūrṇa-Puruṣottama. In whom the grace of god descends, only he becomes fit for this puṣṭi- mārga. Therefore, to establish this puṣṭi-mārga, the prameya, un-opposed to the pramāṇa, was shown by the Āchārya and hence, as delineated by the Āchārya, the Puṣṭi path is to be followed. xxxiii

“jānīta paramam tatvam yaśodotsanga-lālitam | tadanyaditi ye prāhūrāsurāñstān aho budhāḥ ||” (Śrī Prabhucaraṇāḥ Bhāṣya) Śrīmad Āchāryacaraṇānām Veda-śraddhā: In this Bhāṣya, the glory of this Puṣṭi-bhakti has been elaborately described and thus, Āchārya has shown his extra- ordinary belief in respect of the Vedas. Śrī Vallabhācārya does not accept variation even in a single letter of the Vedas. “uttaram pūrva-sandeha-vārakam parikīrtitam” – as per this rule of interpretation, “pūrva-pūrva-prasthāna-sandeha-vārakatvam uttarottara-prasthānasya” – the earlier basic texts forming the basis for a siddhānta, if ambiguous, should be got clarified by the statements in the later texts – Āchārya has upheld this principle. For example, the Veda says – “apāṇi-pādo javano gṛhītā”; here a doubt arises as to, whether Brahman is devoid of this earthly hands and feet; or, it denies the existence of hands and feet in general? This doubt is cleared by the sentence of the Gītā – “sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādāmātam” i.e. Brahman is having hands and feet everywhere. Similarly, the Gītā says – “nityaḥ sarvagataḥ sthāṇuḥ”; “mamaivāṁśo jīvaloke” etc. Here, the doubts that arise are cleared by the Brahmasūtras – “utkrānti- gatyāgatibhiḥ”; “aṁśo nānā-vyapadeśāt” etc. Similarly, in the sūtra – “janmādyasya yataḥ” – the doubt arises that the jagat- kāraṇatvam told of the Brahman is the material cause or the efficient cause. The conclusion is derived by the sentence of Śrī Bhāgavata – “anvaya-vyatirekābhyāṁ yaḥ syāt sarvatra sarvadā”. It is how the homogeneity of all the four prasthānas is to be achieved. Here, the Āchārya has accepted validity of the entire Veda consisting of two kāṇḍas, and not the Upaniṣad only as told by others - ‘vedānto nāma upaniṣad pramāṇam’; says Āchārya – “vedasya Akṣara-mātrasya anyathā-kalpane’pi doṣaḥ syāt” – imagining even a letter of the Veda differently will amount to xxxiv

defective reasoning. Therefore - “vedoktād-aṇumātre’pi viparītam tu yad bhaved | Tādṛśaṁ vā svatantrañca ubhayaṁ mūlato mṛṣā ||” (A.Bha.Ka.) Likewise - “yajñarūpo hariḥ pūrvakāṇḍe Brahma-tanuḥ pare | Avatārī hariḥ kṛṣṇaḥ Śrī Bhāgavata īryate ||” (Sa.pra. 11) “agnihotram tathā darśa-pūrṇamāsaḥ paśus-tathā | cāturmāsyāni somaśca kramāt pañcavidho hariḥ ||” (Tatva. 2/2) “asandigdho'pi vedārthaḥ sthūṇā-khananavan-matam | mīmāṁsānirṇayaḥ prājñe durbuddhestu tato dvayam || Jaiminiḥ karma-tattvajño nirṇayam pūrva uktavān | Vyāsaḥ svayam hi sarvajñaḥ uttare nirṇayam jagau ||” (Tatva.2/29/30) In respect of Purāṇa, Āchārya's faith – “Purāṇam vedavat pūrvasiddham sarvopayogi tat” (Tatva.2/48). In respect of Mahābhārata – “sarvanirdhāraṇārthāya vyāso bhāratamuktavān” (Tatva.2/57); On the subject Jyotiṣa – “darśādikālanirddhāro jyotiḥ śāstraphalam smṛtam” (Tatva.2/75) On Vyākaraṇa – “vyākṛtiḥ Pāṇinīyam hi Prātiśākhyam tu śabdag (Tatva.2/77); On Āyurveda etc. – “Ārogye dharmasiddhiḥ syād rakṣā ca dhanuṣo bhavet | Udvegahānir-gāndharve sthāpatyam ca srugādiṣu || xxxv

Kāvyādīnām asatyatvāt nopayogaḥ kathañcana ॥ Dharme-kartuḥ kvacid kīrttir-naipuṇyam pāṭhataḥ kvacit ॥" (Tatva. 2/79-80) On Rāmāyaṇa – “ Rāmāyaṇamanantam hi purāṇamiva sanmatam । Vyāsaḥ pūrvamanekokto vālmīkiḥ sāmpratam kila । Samādhi-bhāṣayā prāha pramāṇam sarvathaiva tat ॥” (Sar.pra. 81) In this manner, in respect of all the śāstras, the opinion of Śrī Vallabhācārya was clarified in short. In respect of Saṁnyāsa: Saṁnyāsa is not to be taken in the paths of karma and jñāna due to the defects of Kali, to avoid regret later. But, in Bhakti mārga, it should be taken. The sacrifice, just for the sake of experiencing the separation of Bhagavān only, is praise-worthy. All this Āchārya has elaborately explained in his work Saṁnyāsa-nirṇaya. From this it is evident that Āchārya's preference is in bhakti-mārga over the karma-jñāna mārgas. In his Bhāṣya, Āchārya shows his keen interest in repudiating the māyā-vāda. Even while repudiating the Bauddha-mata, he shows his penchent for the repudiation of māyā-vādi. In Brahma-sūtra, the other Āchāryas have accepted the Catuḥ-sūtrī consisting of the sūtras – (1) Athā'to Brahma-jijñāsa; (2) Janmādyasya yataḥ; (3) Śāstra-yonitvāt; (4) Tat-tu-samanvayāt; whereas, as per Śrī Vallabhācārya, ‘janmādyasya yataḥ; śāstra- yonitvat’ appear as one sūtra. That is why, in Śuddhādvaita, it is called as ‘tri-sutri’. This Aṇu Bhāṣya was written by Śrīmad Vallabhācārya upto sūtra 33 of second quarter of third chapter. From sūtra 34 onwards it was commented by Śrī Viṭṭhalanātha. Even in the earlier part of the Bhāṣya, in ‘Ānandamayādhikaraṇa’ the second xxxvi

varṇaka was written by Śrī Viṭṭhaleśa. In this matter, the statement of author of Prakāśa on Bhāṣya Śrī Puruṣottama is the authority. It is written: “Ita ārabhya prabhūṇāmiti (Śrī Viṭṭhaleśānām) pratibhāti; “sthāna-viśeṣāt prakāśādivat” – (Br.Su. 3/2/34) – in this sūtra-bhāṣya-prakāśa. Likewise, in Ānandamayādhikaraṇa – “sāmpratam tu Prabhucaraṇaiḥ”. Similarly, in the ending verse of the fourth chapter, “Bhāṣya-puṣpāñjaliḥ śrīmadācārya-caraṇāmbuje | niveditastena tuṣṭā bhavantu mayi te sadā ||” ` Here, in the Bhāṣya-prāmāṇya-prakāśa, Śrī Puruṣott- amāḥ: “guṇopasaṁhārapādamārabhya sārddhādhyāyasya svayam karaṇāt tad āchāryeṣu nivedayantaḥ samāptau maṅgalam kartavyamiti śiṣṭācārañca śikṣayantaḥ āchāryāṇām prasādam āśāsate”; from this, it is clear that after writing the remaining part of the Bhāṣya, it was dedicated at the feet of Śrī Vallabhācārya. But, here some learned persons think that the entire Bhāṣya was written by Āchārya himself. In that case, the meaning of ‘Śrī Āchārya-caraṇāmbujam’ should be taken to mean as Vyāsācārya-caraṇāmbujam. See Āchārya's sentence “vyāso'smākam guruḥ”. In this manner, at other places also explanations are given. Moreover, some people say – “there is another elaborate Bhāṣya of the Āchārya; from that, some short passage is available today; this Bhāṣya is the abridged version of that Bhāṣya.” However, what Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa has said in his Prakāśa is to be accepted as the only part available and there should be no doubt about this. Whatever works of Śrī Vallabhācārya are there, in those cases there are commentaries on them by Śrī Puruṣottama. Where there is no commentary of Puruṣottama, that work is of Śrī Vallabhācārya or not is doubtful. In this Bhāṣya, there are four chapters; they are - svarūpa; matāntara-nirāsa; sādhana; description of phala – respectively. In each chapter, there are four quarters; in the first chapter, xxxvii

Vedānta vākyas describing the nature of Brahman are discussed. Here, in the first quarter, sentences describing the effect (creation); in the second quarter, sentences describing the antaryāmī; in the third quarter, sentences describing the form of upāsya (that which is to be meditated upon); and in the fourth quarter, other disconnected sentences are discussed – this is the short description of the first chapter. In the second chapter, the view points of other systems are repudiated; without repudiating the other systems, discussions on the means and the end-result will not serve the purpose. Here also, in the first quarter of the second chapter, the non- opposing nature of śruti and smṛti is upheld. In the second quarter, the systems of Nyāya, Māyāvāda etc., are refuted. In the third quarter, the opposing nature of śruti sentences are reconciled. In the fourth quarter, discussion on prāṇa etc. that reside in the body of the jīvas is made. This is the essence of the second chapter. The third chapter deals with the means; here, in the first quarter, the discussion revolves round the birth of the jīva useful for brahma-jñāna. In the second quarter, the qualification of jīva for mukti; here itself, removing the oppositions, Brahma- svarūpa also is decided; in the third quarter, ‘guṇopasaṁhāra’ – qualities described at different places differently are to be taken together is called guṇopa-saṁhāra – is done; in the fourth quarter, the subsidiary nature of rituals is discussed. This is the short description of the third chapter. The fourth chapter describes the phala – the end result – objective. Here, in the first quarter, discussions of śravaṇa etc. are carried on. In the second quarter, the dissolution of all the senses is discussed. In the third quarter, the path of krama- mukti etc. is discussed. In the fourth quarter, differentiating between Puṣṭi and Maryādā, the phala and the eternal nature of līlā etc. are discussed. The division of Adhikaraṇas are – xxxviii

First chapter – 1st quarter – ten adhikaraṇas; 2nd quarter – eight adhikaraṇas; 3rd quarter – thirteen adhikaraṇas; 4th quarter – nine adhikaraṇas; Second chapter – 1st quarter – twelve adhikaraṇas; 2nd quarter – eight adhikaraṇas’ 3rd quarter – sixteen adhikaraṇas; 4th quarter – ten adhikaraṇas; Third chapter – 1st quarter – eight adhikaraṇas; 2nd quarter – eleven adhikaraṇas’ 3rd quarter – twenty four adhikaraṇas; 4th quarter – nine adhikaraṇas; Fourth chapter – 1st quarter – seven adhikaraṇas; 2nd quarter – six adhikaraṇas’ 3rd quarter – five adhikaraṇas’ 4th quarter – five adhikaraṇas. The abstraction of the contents of Bhāṣya and the Adhikaraṇas was thus described. Śrī Vallabhācārya’s short life history: In the Telugu speaking region of south India, there is a village called Kāṅkarvāḍ; there was a family with the title Dīkṣita, followers of the Taittirīya branch of the Kṛṣṇa - yajurveda. In this family, all the persons born became Soma Yājis. The progenitor of this family was Śrī Nārāyaṇa Yajvā. In this family was born Śrī Lakṣmaṇa Bhaṭṭa. This gentleman, with his wife, once undertook the pilgrimage to Kāśī; during this time, on the way, at the place called Campāraṇya in Madhyapradeśa, from the womb of his wife Illammāgāru, (vikrama saṁvat 1535), on Vaiśākha Kṛṣṇa -ekādaśī, Śrī Vallabhācārya's appearance took place. Thereafter, Śrī Lakṣmaṇa Bhaṭṭa, along with his wife and son, resided in Kāśī for about twelve years. Śrī Vallabhācārya's thread ceremony etc. took place in Kāśī itself. Śrī Vallabha very quickly studied xxxix

the Vedas and the śāstras. Thereafter, all the three came back to their native place. Then, Śrī Lakṣmaṇa Bhaṭṭa passed away; and again, Śrī Vallabhācārya undertook a pilgrimage. During this pilgrimage, Śrī Vallabhācārya had śāstraic discussions with many learned personalities and they were won over. Śrī Ācārya made round trips thrice, of the country, and preached his Siddhānta. During this time, in Vijayanagara, at the court of Śrī Kṛṣṇadevarāya, he defeated all the opposing debaters, and established his siddhānta, called the Suddhādvaita-Brahma-vāda- nirguṇa-puṣṭi-bhakti mārga. During his yātrā, at the Govardhana mountain, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, called Śrī Nāthjī, Para-Brahma, Bhagavān, by His own desire, appeared before Śrī Vallabhācārya and showed His form and commanded him to undertake His sevā. This was the Puṣṭi- mārga preached by Śrī Vallabhācārya. During one such pilgrimages, as per the directions of Bhagavān Śrī Pāṇḍuraṅga Viṭṭhalanātha, and with his mother's permission, at Kāśī, married the befitting daughter of a learned Telugu Brahmin by name Madhumaṅgala. Here, two sons were born to him by name Śrī Gopīnātha and Śrī Viṭṭhalanātha – first on Āśvina Kṛṣṇa 12, vi.sam. 1568; the second on Miti Pau.Kr.9ᵗʰ, vi.sam. 1572. In this manner, after crossing the three stages of life, took tridaṇḍa saṁnyāsa as approved by the śāstras; here in Kāśī, at the well-known Hanumāṅghāṭ, on Āṣāḍha su.2, vi.sam. 1587, on a Sunday, in the afternoon, entered into the waters of Gaṅgā; in this manner, deluding the non-believers, he left his mortal coil and entered the Bhagavad Dhāma in reality. There are many works written by Śrī Vallabhācārya, the jagadguru. They are both short treatises and elaborate works; the bigger ones are - (1) Brahma-sūtra Aṇu Bhāṣya; (2) Tatva- dīpa-nibandhaḥ; (3) Nibandha Prakāśa; (4) Śrīmad Bhāgavata Subodhinī; (5) Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā Bhāṣyam; (6) Gāyatrī Bhāṣyam etc. xl

Short treatises – (1) Śrī Yamunāṣṭakam; (2) Bālabodhaḥ; (3) Siddhānta-muktāvalī; (4) Puṣṭi-pravāha Maryādā- bhedhaḥ; (5) Siddhānta Rahasyam; (6) Navaratnam; (7) Antaḥ-karaṇa-prabodhaḥ; (8) Viveka Dhairyāśrayaḥ; (9) Kṛṣṇāśrayaḥ; (10) Catuḥ-ślokī; (11) Bhakti-varddhini; (12) Jalabhedaḥ; (13) Pañcapadyāni; (14) Saṁnyāsa-nirṇayaḥ; (15) Nirodha lakṣaṇam; (16) Sevā-phalam. Similarly, Puruṣottama Sahasranāma; Paribṛḍhāṣṭakam; Patrāvalambanam; Trividha Nāmāvalī; Śikṣā śloka etc. Śrīmad Bhagavadgīta Bhāṣya written by Śrīmad Vallabhācārya is not available due to the vagaries of time or due to some other reasons, think the research scholars. Śrīmad Vallabhācārya's first son was Śrī Gopīnāthaḥ; he had only one son Puruṣottamaḥ. Thereafter, there are no descendents. Āchārya's second son was Śrī Viṭṭhaleśaḥ; His works are – Aṇu Bhāṣya Uttarārdhaḥ; Vidvan-maṇḍanam; Śṛṅgāra-rasa-maṇḍanam; Subodhinī ṭippaṇī; Bhakti Haṁsa; Bhakti Hetu-nirṇayaḥ etc. He had seven sons – they were respectively Śrī Giridharaḥ; Śrī Govindarāyaḥ; Śrī Bālakṛṣṇaḥ; Śrī Gokulanāthaḥ; Śrī Raghunāthaḥ; Śrī Yadunāthaḥ; and Śrī Ghanaśyāmaḥ. Śrīmad Viṭṭhaleśwara's third son's (Śrī Bālakṛṣṇa's) fourth- generation was Śrī Pītāmbara Goswāmī; his son Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa was a great scholar, establishing his reputation in all directions, took to his uncle Śrī Śyāmala's son, Vrajarāyajī mahārāj. This Puruṣottamacaraṇa was born in Vi.sam.1724 Mi.Bha.Su.11. Among his commentorial works, the most celebrated one Nibandha is Aṇubhāṣya Prakāśa. This has no parallel. Scholars like Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa are very rare indeed. His works total upto nine lac ślokas; some people say, though nine lac ślokas are known today, many are the ones lost. Works written by Śrī Puruṣottamacaraṇa - Subodhinī Prakāśaḥ; Upaniṣad-dīpikā; Āvaraṇabhaṅgaḥ; Prasthāna-ratnākaraḥ; Suvarṇasūtram; Ṣoḍaśagrantha vivṛttiḥ; xlii