वेदान्त पारिजात सौरभ (भगवद् निम्बार्काचार्य - द्वैताद्वैत वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

[SŪ. 3. 2. 15. ADH. 5] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 531 "Of the colour of the sun, beyond darkness" (Vj.S. 31.18 ¹, Tait. Ār. 3 13.1; Śvet. 3.8;² Gītā 8 9 ³), on account of the text being not devoid of meaning. Vedānta-kaustubha The view that Brahman is possessed of a two-fold characteristic is being confirmed once more. Brahman "possessed of light",—that which has light for its attribute is 'possessed of light',—and untouched by the imperfections of the objects to be lighted, as implied by the term "and" (in the sūtra), is possessed of a two-fold characteristic Why? On account of the texts being not devoid of meaning, viz. "He alone shining everything shines after him Through his light all this shines" (Kaṭha. 5.15, Muṇḍ. 2.2.10; Śvet. 6.14), "Of the colour of the sun, beyond darkness" (Vj.S. 31.18; Tait. Ār. 3.13.1; Śvet. 3.8; Gītā 8 9) and so on. This aphorism is for showing that one text after another denotes Brahman as possessed of a two-fold characteristic COMPARISON Śaṃkara Interpretation absolutely different, viz. "And (Brahman is) like light, on account of non-futility of texts (which designate Brahman as possessed of a form)" That is, just as the light of the sun or the moon, though pervading the entire expanse of the heaven and having no particular shape as such, appears straight, crooked and so on when passing through a finger which is straight, crooked and so on, so Brah- man appears as the Universe through its connection with the limiting adjunct. Hence it is that the texts which designate Brahman as having the form of the Universe and so on are not absolutely devoid of meaning, but serve the purpose of meditation.⁴ Rāmānuja and Śrīkaṇṭha Interpretation different, viz "And on account of the non-futility (of texts designating Brahman as possessed of all auspicious qualities and devoid of all imperfections)". That is, just as (the texts designat- ing Brahman as) light such as: "Brahman is truth, knowledge, infinite"

¹ P. 857, lines 10-11. ² P. 201 ³ Not quoted by others. ⁴ Ś.B. 3 2.15, pp. 726-27.