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

[SŪ. 4. 2. 1. 808 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 1.] is observed to continue even when the organ of speech has ceased to function. Apprehending the objection that this is possible even if there be the merging of only the function of speech, the author states the main reason: "And on account of scriptural text", i.e. on account of the text: "Speech merges in the mind" (Chand. 6.8.6). There is no text to the effect that the function of speech merges in the mind. 'Merging' is to be understood here as denoting 'connection' and not 'absorption', since the absorption of speech into the mind, which is not its material cause, is impossible,¹ since in order that the non- knower ² may obtain another body, it is essential that speech should continue, and since it will be stated further on ³ that speech and the rest are absorbed in the Highest Soul alone. COMPARISON Śaṃkara and Bhāskara Interpretation different. In direct opposition to Nimbārka, who holds that the organ of speech is connected with the mind, they point out that the function of speech and not the organ of speech merges in the mind.⁴ Further, the most fundamental point of difference between Nimbārka and Śaṃkara is that Śaṃkara all throughout makes a dis- tinction between the higher knower and the lower knower, i.e. one who knows Brahman as identical with himself, and one who meditates on Brahman as different from himself. Hence, while according to Śaṃkara, this quarter deals with the path of gods belonging only to the lower knowers or worshippers of the qualified Brahman,⁵ according to Nimbārka, this is the highest path belonging to all knowers.

¹ I.e. a thing is absorbed in its material cause alone, a gold ear-ring into gold. ² This mode of departure is common to knowers and non-knowers, as pointed out above, and a non-knower is born again. ³ Vide Br. Sū. 4.2 14. ⁴ Ś.B. 4.2.1, pp. 929-930; Bh. B. 4.2.1, p. 227. ⁵ While the higher knowers do not need to travel through any path to attain Brahman, but attain Brahman then and there as soon as real knowledge dawn. Vide Ś.B. 4.3.14. As we shall see, Śaṃkara takes the entire pāda as referring to lower knowers, except sūtras 12–16 (12–15 according to Nimbārka's numbering).