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

[SŪ. 1. 1. 23. ADH. 8.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 71 the difference of Brahman from the individual soul, within which He abides, is established. Here ends the section entitled ‘That which is within’ (7). Adhikarana 8: The section entitled ‘The ether’ (Sūtra 23) SŪTRA 23 “(BRAHMAN IS DENOTED BY THE WORD) ETHER, ON ACCOUNT OF HIS CHARACTERISTIC MARKS.” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha In the text. ‘“What is the final refuge of this world?” “The ether”, said he’ (Chānd. 1.9.1 ¹), that which is denoted by the term “ether” is the Highest Self. Why? “On account of his characteristic marks,” such as, being the creator of all, and the like, mentioned in the text: ‘All these things, verily, arise from the ether alone’ (Chānd 1.9.1 ²) Vedānta-kaustubha In this manner, it has been shown, on the ground of the peculiar qualities of Brahman, the topic of discussion, that the text: ‘Now, this golden person who is seen within the sun’ (Chānd. 1.6 8) and so on, refers to Brahman, the topic of discussion. Now, it is being shown that the text: ‘“What is the final refuge of this world?”’ and so on too (Chānd 1.9.1) refers to Him, on the ground of the character- istic marks of Brahman. In the Chāndogya, we read the following under the dialogue between Śālāvatya and Jaivali. ‘“What is the final refuge of this world?”’ ‘“The ether,” said he, “All these beings, verily, arise from the ether alone, disappear into the ether; for the ether alone is greater than these, the ether is the supreme refuge”’ (Chānd. 1.9.1). Here a doubt arises, viz. whether the elemental ether is meant by the term ‘ether’, or the Highest Self. What is reasonable here? If it be sug- gested. As it is so well-known in the world and as it is declared also by Scripture to be the cause of the elements beginning with the air, 1 Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B. 2 Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B