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

[sū. 1. 3. 15. ADH. 5.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 165 heart’ (Chānd. 8.1.3) the small ether, i.e. the Supreme Being alone, is compared to the well-known ether, since when two different things can be reasonably held to be the object with which the thing is com- pared and the object compared, it is unreasonable to suppose one and the same thing to be both (viz. upamāna and upameya). ‘Being the supporter of all effects’ too, mentioned in the passage: ‘In it both the heaven and the earth are contained’ (Chānd. 8.1.3), fits in on the part of the Highest Self alone. The attributes like ‘being the soul’, ‘being free from sins’ and the rest, mentioned in the passage: ‘This soul is free from sins, ageless, deathless, sorrowless, without hunger, without thirst, possessed of true desires, possessed of true resolves’ (Chānd. 8.1.5), fit in only if the Highest Self be understood. Moreover, after having designated the non-permanency of the fruits of works and their incapacity of knowing Him in the passage ‘As here the world won by work perishes, so hereafter the world won by merit perishes’ (Chānd. 8.1.6), Scripture concludes: ‘Now, those who depart, having known the soul here and those true desires, come to have free movement in all the worlds’ (Chānd. 8.1.6). That is, those worshippers who ‘depart’ to the other world, ‘having known’, i.e. having realized ‘the soul’, i.e. the Supreme Lord called ‘the small’, and ‘those’, i.e. His qualities, come to have free movement in all the worlds. Accordingly, the small ether is the Highest Self, since then alone free movement is explicable on the part of those who know the nature and qualities of the ‘small one’. SŪTRA 15 “ON ACCOUNT OF GOING AND OF WORD, FOR THUS IT IS SEEN, THERE IS A MARK AS WELL.” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha The “going” is mentioned in the text: ‘All beings are going day by day’ (Chānd. 8.3.2 ¹), and the “word” is ‘The world of Brahman’ (Chānd. 8.3.2 ²),—on account of these two, the ‘small one’ is ascer- tained to be the Supreme Being. The daily going is “seen thus” in another scriptural text too, viz.: ‘“Then, my dear, he comes to be

¹ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B. ² Op. cit.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 15. 166 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 5 ] united with the Existent"' (Chānd. 6 8.1 ¹) If the karmadhāraya compound be understood,² then Brahman alone is 'the mark', i.e. the primary meaning of the word ('Brahma-loka') "as well". Vedānta-kaustubha For this reason too, says the author, the small ether is the Highest Self. The subsequent reasons are being amplified now. In the text about the small-ether, viz : 'Just as those who do not know the place move again and again over a hidden treasure of gold, but do not find it, so these beings are going day by day to that world of Brahman but do not find it, for they are carried away by untruth' (Chānd. 8.3.2), the phrase 'are going day by day' states the "going": and the "word" is: 'this world of Brahman', (Brahma-loka)—on account of these two, it is known that the small ether is the Highest Self. The sense is that because of the going of the individual souls, indicated by the term 'beings', to Brahman daily during deep sleep when all the sense-organs are dissolved; and because of the word 'world of Brahman', the small ether is ascertained to be none but the Highest Self, as the individual soul is one who approaches (and hence cannot be the goal approached), and as going is not appropriate on the part of the elemental ether. "For thus it is seen", i.e. the going of all beings to the Highest Self alone day by day during the state of deep sleep, as well as their return therefrom, are found, in the very same manner, in other passages too, viz.. "'So exactly, my dear, all these beings, being united with the Existent, do not know, we have become united with the Existent"' (Chānd. 6 9.2), "'Having come back from the Exis- tent, they do not know: We have come back from the Existent'" (Chānd. 6.10.1). In the very same manner, the term 'world of Brah- man', too, is found applied to the Highest Self, as in the passage: "'This is the world of Brahman, O king," said he' (Bṛh. 4 3.32) The phrase 'that' (Chānd. 8.3 2) indicates the going of all beings there (viz. to Brahman). That is, the term 'world of Brahma' (Brahma-loka),—stated to be in apposition with the word 'that' which denotes the 'small one', and explained as a karmadhāraya compound thus: 'the world which is Brahman',—is "a mark", i.e. a convincing proof, that the small ether is the Highest Brahman.

¹ Op. cit. ² See below V.K.

[SŪ. 1 3. 16 ADH 5 ] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 167 SŪTRA 16 "AND ON ACCOUNT OF SUPPORTING (THE LORD IS THE SMALL ETHER), BECAUSE THIS GREATNESS IS OBSERVED IN HIM (FROM ANOTHER SCRIPTURAL PASSAGE)." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha The holding apart, mentioned in the passage 'He is the bridge, a limitary support of these worlds' (Chānd 8.4.1 ¹), fits in if the small ether be the Highest Self, because "this greatness is observed" "in him', i e. in the Highest Self alone who is called 'a support' ² on the authority of another scriptural passage, viz : 'At the command of this Imperishable, Gārgī, the sun and the moon stand, held apart' (Bṛh 3 8.9 ³) Vedānta-kaustubha On account of the following reason, viz. • "On account of support- ing", by the word 'small ether', the Highest Self alone is to be under- stood here. Compare 'Now, he who is the soul is the bridge, a limitary support for keeping these worlds apart' (Chānd 8.4.1) The sense is: (The soul is) 'a bridge',—or, the cause of the non-inter- mixture,—and a 'limitary support',—or that which separates,—'for keeping apart'—i e for preventing the intermixture or splitting asunder 'of these worlds', or of the worlds separated from one another as relating to the soul (i e. internal), and as relating to the gods (i e external) The sense is that as "this greatness", viz. supporting, "is observed" in the Highest Self in another scriptural passage, so here, too, the small ether, the limitary support of all the worlds, is known to be the Highest Self. The other scriptural passage is to the effect . 'At the command of this Imperishable, Gārgī, the sun and the moon stand held apart' (Bṛh. 3.8.9). Similarly, there is a passage : 'He is the Lord of all, he is the Lord of the worlds, he is the bridge, the limitary support for keeping these worlds apart' (Bṛh. 4.4.22 ⁴). ¹ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B ² CSS. ed. slightly different, p. 14, viz . 'Asya ca mahimno dhṛtyā- khyasya . . .' ³ Ś, R, Bh. ⁴ Correct quotation: 'Esa sarveśvara esa bhūtādhipatir esa bhūta-pālaḥ esa setuḥ . . .' Vide Bṛh. 4.4.22, p. 246.

[SŪ. 1 3. 17. 168 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH 5.] COMPARISON Rāmānuja, Śrīkaṇṭha and Baladeva This is sūtra 15 in the commentaries of Rāmānuja and Śrīkaṇṭha Resulting meaning same, although the meaning of words different, viz.: ‘asya’ means ‘of the Lord’ and ‘asmin’ means in the small ether. Hence the sūtra ‘Because supporting, which is a greatness of him (viz the Lord), is observed in it (viz. in the small ether)’ ¹ SŪTRA 17 “AND BECAUSE IT IS WELL-KNOWN.” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha And because the word ‘ether’ is well-known to be denoting the Highest Self as well,—as in the passages: ‘The ether, verily, is the revealer of name and form’ (Chānd 8 14.1 ²), ‘All these beings, forsooth, arise from the ether alone’ (Chānd. 1.9 1 ³),—the small ether is none but the Highest Self Vedānta-kaustubha Again, the small ether should be understood to be none but the Highest Self Why? Because the word ‘ether’ is well-known to be denoting the Highest Self as well. Where? In the passages: ‘The ether, verily, is the revealer of name and form’ (Chānd. 8 14.1), ‘All these beings, forsooth, arise from the ether alone’ (Chānd 1.9.1). COMPARISON Śrīkaṇṭha Interpretation different, viz. : ‘Because (the Lord) is celebrated (in other Upaniṣads, viz. Mahopaniṣad, Kaivalya-upaniṣad and the rest), to be an object to be worshipped as abiding in the small lotus, (the small ether is the Lord)’ ⁴. ¹ Śrī. B. 1.3.15, pp. 308-9, Part 1 ŚK. B. 1.3 15, pp 437-8, Part 5; B.B. 1 3.16 ² Ś. ³ Ś, R, Bh. ⁴ ŚK., 1.3 16, p 438, Part 5.

[sū. 1. 3. 18-19. ADH. 5.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 169 SŪTRA 18 "IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT ON ACCOUNT OF A REFERENCE TO THE OTHER, (VIZ. THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL), HE (IS THE SMALL ETHER), (WE REPLY:) NO, BECAUSE OF IMPOSSIBILITY." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha If it be objected that "on account of a reference" to the individual soul as well in the middle of the text about the 'small one', viz. in the passage: 'This serene being having arisen from this body, having attained the form of highest light, is completed in its own form. This is the soul, said he' (Chānd. 8.3 4¹), let the individual soul be the 'small one',— (We reply) 'no', "because of the impossibility" of the qualities of freedom from sins and the rest,² on the part of the individual soul Vedānta-kaustubha If it be objected that "on account of a reference" to the individual soul by the term 'serene being' in the middle of the text about the small ether, viz. in the passage: 'This serene being, having arisen from this body, having attained the form of highest light, is completed in its own form. This is the soul, said he. This is immortal, fearless' (Chānd 8.3.4), let "him" alone be the small ether,— (We reply·) 'No'. Why? "Because of impossibility", i.e. because the above-mentioned qualities of freedom from sins and the rest are impossible on the part of the individual soul. SŪTRA 19 "IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT FROM WHAT IS SUBSEQUENT, (THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL MAY BE MEANT HERE), (WE REPLY·) BUT (THAT SUBSEQUENT PASSAGE REFERS TO THE SOUL SO FAR ONLY) IT HAS ITS REAL NATURE MANIFEST." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha If it be objected that "from what is subsequent", i.e. from Prajāpati's statement referring to the individual soul, the eight-fold ¹ S, R, Bh, ŚK, B. ² Vide Chānd 8.1 5.

[Sū. 1. 3. 19. 170 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 5.] qualties of freedom from sins and the rest are known to belong to the individual soul as well, hence let it alone be the small ether,— We reply: The Highest Self, endowed with the above-mentioned qualities and having His real nature ever manifest, is the ‘small one’; but not the individual soul, having its real nature manifest,¹ (not always, but only during release) Vedānta-kaustubha Here the word ‘small’ is to be supplied from the main aphorism,² and the words ‘he, no’ from the preceding one.³ If it be objected: This is impossible. “From what is subsequent” to the doctrine of the ‘small’, i.e. from the statement of Prajāpati, the individual soul should be known as endowed with the attributes of freedom from sins and the rest. Hence, here too let it alone be the ‘small one’, endowed with the qualities of freedom from sins and the rest,— (We reply) “No”. There, viz. in the passage: ‘Having attained the form of Highest light, it is completed in its own form’ (Chānd. 8.3.4), the individual soul which has its real nature manifest, is intended to be designated. The word “but” (in the sūtra) clearly indicates the great difference between that which has its real nature manifest and the ‘small one’ the real nature of which is ever unveiled and which is ever beyond the conventional distinctions of bondage and release. Thus the statement of Prajāpati (Chānd 8.7 1) teaches the individual soul as possessing the attributes of freedom from sins and the rest,—the soul which has its real attributes concealed by the states of waking and the rest, rooted on karmas, meritorious or non- meritorious, and existent from all eternity; and which has its real nature manifest through the attainment of the Highest Self, caused by meditation on Him. But the text about the ‘small one’ (Chānd. 8.1.5) teaches the Highest Self as possessing the attributes of freedom from sins and the rest,—the Self who has His nature and attributes ever manifest, and who is denoted by the term ‘small ether’.³ ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― ¹ The contrast is between the nityāvirbhūta-svarūpa Paramātman and the āvirbhūta-svarūpa jīvātman. See V. K. below. ² Viz. Br. Sū. 1.3.14 ³ Viz. Br. Sū. 1.3.18 ³ That is, the Highest Self is always possessed of the attributes of freedom from sins and the rest, while the individual soul is not always possessed of them, but only when its real nature comes to be manifested. Hence the ‘small one’, which is always possessed of these attributes cannot be the individual soul.

{SŪ. 1. 3. 19. ADH. 5.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 171 The meaning of the scriptural text (Chānd. 8 3.4) is as follows. Just as the eye,—enveloped in deep darkness and hence unable to perform its own special function of making known objects like clothes, ornaments and the rest,—having attained the ever-unenveloped sun, is completed in its own form and able to perform its own special function of manifesting its own objects,—so the individual soul, ‘having attained’, i.e having completely attained, near itself, the ‘highest’, i.e. the Being different from the sentient individual soul and the non-sentient, ‘light’, i e. the real nature of the Whole the revealer of all, is ‘completed’ in its real nature as knowledge, different from the body, the sense-organs and the rest and endowed with its own bliss,—as such it is said to have its real nature manifest (āvir- bhūta-svarūpa) The word ‘āvirbhūta-svarūpa’ is to be explained as ‘one whose real nature has become manifest’. Moreover, as ‘being a bridge’, ‘being the limitary support of all worlds’, and ‘being the controller of the sentient and the non-sentient’ are not possible even on the part of the individual soul which has its real nature manifest, so the small ether can never be supposed to be the individual soul. In the doctrine of the ‘small’ (Chānd 8.1 5), the attributes of freedom from sins and the rest, which are special to one who has this real nature ever manifest, are mentioned; while in the doctrine taught by Prajāpati (Chānd. 8 7.1), only those that are special to that which has its nature manifest (and not ever manifest) Hence, the reason ‘because of impossibility’ (mentioned in Br. Sū. 1 3 18) remains in force. COMPARISON Śaṃkara Interpretation different, viz.: ‘If it be said . . . , (then we reply) No, but (the passage in question refers to the soul only so far) as its real nature has become manifest (i.e. so far it has become Brahman) ¹ Thus, according to Śaṃkara, the statement of Prajāpati (Chānd. 8 7.1) does not really refer to the individual soul, but to Brahman. According to Nimbārka, however, as we have seen, it refers to the freed soul, which too is different from Brahman ¹ Ś.B. 1 3.19, pp. 333 et seq.

[sū 1. 3. 20. 172 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 5 ] Bhāskara He, too, points out that the statement of Prajāpati does not refer to the individual soul as such, but to the soul which has become the Supreme Soul in nature ¹ SŪTRA 20 “AND THE REFERENCE HAS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE.” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha “The reference” to the individual soul is for showing that the Supreme Soul is the cause of the manifestation of the real nature of the individual soul. Vedānta-kaustubha To the objection, viz : If the small ether be the Supreme Soul having His real nature ever-manifest, then the reference to the indivi- dual soul in the text about the ‘small one’, viz. in the passage: ‘Now, this serene being, having arisen from this body’ (Chānd 8.3.4), must have a purport,—the author replies here. The word “and” (in the sūtra) implies possibility. Just as on attaining the sun, the eye, overpowered so long by darkness, is com- pleted in its real form, so on attaining the highest light, i.e. the small ether, the individual soul, having so long its real nature and qualities like freedom from sins and the rest hidden by the beginningless māyā, is completed in its own special form. Thus, the reference to the individual soul in the statement of Prajāpati is simply for showing that the small ether is the cause of the manifestation of the real form of the individual soul, and not for proving that the small ether is the individual soul itself. COMPARISON Śaṁkara and Bhāskara Interpretation different, viz. . ‘And the reference (to the individual soul) has a different purpose (viz. the determining of the nature of Brahman)’ ². According to Nimbārka, however, as we have seen, ¹ Bh B. 1 3 19, p 58. ² Ś.B 1.3 20, p. 339; Bh B 1.3.20, p 58

[SŪ 1 3. 21-22. ADH 5.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 173 the purpose is to show that Brahman is the cause of the manifestation of the real nature of the soul. SŪTRA 21 "IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT ON ACCOUNT OF THE SCRIPTURAL DECLARATION OF WHAT IS SMALL (THE LORD IS NOT THE SMALL ETHER), (WE REPLY,) THAT HAS BEEN SAID." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha "If it be objected that on account of the scriptural declaration of what is small", the all-pervasive Being cannot be understood here,— (we reply·) the answer to this has already been given ¹ Vedānta-kaustubha "If it be objected that on account of the scriptural declaration of what is small" in the passage: 'Small is the ether within it' (Chānd. 8 1.1), let the individual soul alone, which is atomic in size, be the 'small one',— (We reply·) The answer to this has been given under the aphorism 'Because (Brahman) is to be conceived thus, as in the case of the ether' (Br Sū. 1.2.7). SŪTRA 22 "AND BECAUSE OF THE IMITATION OF THAT." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha "And because of the imitation" "of that", i.e of that which has its real nature ever manifest, in accordance with the passage. 'He alone shining, everything shines' (Kaṭha 5.15; Muṇḍ. 2.2.10 ; Śvet. 6.14 ²), the individual soul, the imitator, cannot be the 'small one', having its real nature ever-manifest. Vedānta-kaustubha The author says that for this reason, too, the individual soul is not the small ether. ¹ Vide Br. Sū. 1.2.7. ² Ś, Bh.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 23. 174 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 5.] Because of the imitation “of that”, i.e. of the small ether having the eight-fold attributes ever manifest, by that which has its attributes of freedom from sins and the rest manifest (and not ever manifest) the ‘small one’ is none but the Highest Self Just as in the Muṇḍaka, declaring the imitation of the Lord by all in the passage: ‘He alone shining, everything shines’ (Muṇḍ 2.2.10); and declaring further that everything is to be manifested by the Lord in the passage ‘Through his light all this shines’ (Muṇḍ 2.2.10), all things which are imitators and objects to be manifested cannot be the object which is imitated and the object which manifests,—so the individual soul, mentioned by Prajāpati, and an imitator, cannot be Brahman, denoted by the term ‘small’, and object to be imitated. COMPARISON Śaṃkara and Bhāskara Interpretation different, viz. according to them, the sūtras 22-23 form a new adhikaraṇa, designating that the passage Muṇḍaka 2 2.10 refers not to a luminous substance, but to the Supreme Soul.¹ But according to Nimbārka, they form parts of the preceding adhikaraṇa, setting forth additional arguments as to why the ‘small ether’ is none but the Supreme Soul. Rāmānuja, Śrīkaṇṭha and Baladeva According to all, the word ‘anukṛteḥ’ means ‘because of simi- larity’. That is, the individual soul is not the ‘small one’ or Brahman, because it is only similar to Him.² SŪTRA 23 “MOREOVER (THIS IS) DECLARED BY SMṚTI.” ³ Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha Also Smṛti declares. ‘They have come to attain equality of attributes with me’ (Gītā 14.2 ⁴). ¹ Ś.B. 1.3.22, pp. 340 ff., Bh B. 1.3.22, pp 58 et seq. ² Śrī. B. 1.3.21, p. 313, Part 1, ‘Tad-anukāras tat-sāmyam’. ŚK. B. 1.3.21, pp. 444-5, Part 5, G B 1.3.22 ³ C.S S. ed., p 15, reads ‘Api smaryyate’ 4 R, B.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 24. ADH. 6.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 175 Vedānta-kaustubha Smṛti declares the equality of the individual soul, freed from all bondage, with the Supreme Soul, in the passage: 'They have come to attain equality of attributes with me' (Gītā 14 2). Hence, it is established that the small ether is none but the Supreme Soul. Here ends the section entitled 'The small' (5) COMPARISON Śaṁkara and Bhāskara Reading different, viz. 'Api ca smaryyate' Interpretation different, viz—'Further, Smṛti (viz. Gītā 15 12, etc.) declares (the Soul to be the cause of the manifestation of all)' ¹ Rāmānuja and Baladeva Reading 'Api smaryyate'. ² Śrīkaṇṭha Reading 'Api ca smaryyate', i.e. 'Moreover Smṛti declares (that the Lord is to be meditated on as abiding in the heart-lotus ³)'. Adhikaraṇa 6. The section entitled 'What is measured'. (Sūtras 24-25) SŪTRA 24 "ON ACCOUNT OF THE TEXT ONLY, WHAT IS MEASURED (IS THE LORD)." Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha "What is measured", i e what is of the size of a thumb, is none but the Highest Person, "on account of the text": 'The Lord of past and future' (Kaṭha 4.13 ⁴). ¹ Ś, B 1.3.23, p. 343; Bh B. 1 3.23, p. 59. ² Śrī. B. 1.3.23, p. 313, Part 1, G.B. 1 3 23. ³ ŚK B 1.3 23, p 445, Part 5 ⁴ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B

[SŪ. 1. 3. 24. 176 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 6.] Vedānta-kaustubha Thus, it has been establshed that Brahman is to be meditated on as the 'small one' Now, the author points out that Brahman is to be meditated on as of the size of merely a thumb. In the Katha-valli, we read: 'The Person, of the size of merely a thumb, dwells in the midst of the soul' (Katha 4.12), again 'The Person, of the size of merely a thumb, smokeless like light' (Katha 4.13); again: 'The Person, of the size of merely a thumb, the inner soul, is ever seated in the heart of beings' (Katha 6.17) Here, a doubt arises as to whether the Person of the size of merely a thumb is the individual soul or the Highest Person The prima facie view is as follows The Person of the size of merely a thumb is the individual soul in accordance with the Śvetāśvatara-text, viz. 'The lord of the vital-breaths, who is of the size of merely a thumb and of a form like the sun, moves about through his own works' (Śvet. 5 7d–8a); as well as in accordance with the Smṛti passage, viz . 'Then Yama drew forth, by force, from the body of Satyavāna, the person, of the size of merely a thumb, tied to the noose and brought under his control' (Mahā. 3.16763 ¹). With regard to this, we reply "What is measured", i.e. the Person of the size of merely a thumb, mentioned in the Kaṭha-valli, is none but the Supreme Soul. Why? "On account of the text", i.e. on account of the text 'The lord of past and future' (Katha 4.13). The sense is this. Although 'being of the size of merely a thumb', mentioned in the above Scripture and Smṛti texts, is here perceived to be a characteristic mark of the individual soul, yet that mark is set aside,²—this is the sense. If it be objected: It being impossible for the individual soul, which is by nature atomic in size, to be of the size of a thumb, and there being the mark: 'tied to the noose', the individual soul can be of the size of merely a thumb only if its subtle body be meant.³ But it

¹ P. 806, line 5, vol. 1. ² That is, although in the above scriptural and Smṛti texts, the individual soul has been designated as of the size of a thumb, yet in other numerous passages, it is designated as of the size of an atom merely Hence, the above description is set aside. ³ That is, since the individual soul cannot be of the size of a thumb, being declared to be atomic in size, the designation of it as of the size of a thumb merely means that its subtle body is so, and not that it itself is so.

[SŪ 1. 3. 25. ADH. 6.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 177 is impossible for Brahman, the topic of discussion, to be of the size of merely a thumb, even though repeatedly taught by Scripture,— (We reply·) No, it being possible for Brahman to be so, in accord- ance with the wish of His devotees, and on account of His connection with place (viz. the heart) With regard to this point, a preceding aphorism (viz Br. Sū 1.2.7) may be consulted. Moreover, on account also of a text referring to the Person of the size of merely a thumb, viz. : ‘Let one draw him forth from his own body with firmness, as a pith from a reed Let one know him’ (Kaṭha 6 17), the Supreme Soul alone is of the size of merely a thumb. Thus, the meaning of the text is as follows The individual soul, entitled to know Brahman, the agent, endowed with a right discrimination between the soul and the non-soul,—implied by the phrase ‘from his own body’,—‘should draw forth’, i.e. should lift up or put outside,—through intense prayer again,—‘him’, ie the Person of the size of a thumb, the object and known first through meditation to be within the heart, ‘from his own body’, i e from the body known as his own, ‘as the pith from a reed’; then ‘he should know him with firmness’. If this be so, the Person of the size of merely a thumb, the object to be worshipped, must be other than the worshipper himself SŪTRA 25 “BUT (THE LORD IS SAID TO BE OF THE SIZE OF MERELY A THUMB) IN REFERENCE TO THE HEART (OF MEN), BECAUSE MEN (ALONE) ARE ENTITLED (TO SCRIPTURE)” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha The Lord can very well be of the size of merely a thumb, “in reference to the heart” of the worshippers. To the objection, viz The size of the heart in animals being not fixed, how can Brahman be of the size of a thumb in reference to the heart !—the author replies : “Because men (alone) are entitled (to Scripture)”. Vedānta-kaustubha The author is justifying the contention that Brahman can be of the size of merely a thumb. 12

[sū. 1. 3. 25. 178 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 6 ] Even an all-pervasive Being can be of the size of merely a thumb, "with reference to the heart", i.e. with reference to the heart, or the heart-lotus which is of the size of merely a thumb, of His own devotees, devoted to Him alone and to none else. The sense is that this designation is indeed proper like the designation of the Lord as 'one who makes three strides' (Trivikrama), in reference to the three worlds.¹ Or else, (an alternative explanation of the word "hṛdyapekṣa- yā"). As from the word "heart" ("hṛd") alone the size of that which is within it (viz the Lord) is known, the words "in reference to" ("apekṣayā") are to be understood as: 'in reference to the worshippers', i.e in accordance with their wish.² To the objection, viz. As the size of the heart differs in accordance with the difference of living creatures, the text about (the Person of the size of merely) a thumb cannot be explained in reference to the heart,—we reply: "Because men (alone) are entitled" to Scripture. This is the meaning:³ 'That to which men are entitled' (make 'manuṣyādhikāra'), 'the state of that' (make 'manuṣyādhikāratva'), on account of that (make 'manuṣyādhikāratvāt'). The meaning of the scriptural text concerning (the Person of the size of merely) a thumb is explicable in reference to the heart of men. Although Scripture is of a universal application,⁴ yet as men alone can be worshippers and seekers, they alone are entitled to it. Hence, no contradiction arises here even if the hearts of elephants and lice be not of the size of merely a thumb, as they are not entitled to works enjoined in Scrip- ture and Smṛti, as established in the sixth chapter, determining the conditions of being entitled to sacrifices and so on.⁵ Thus, it is ¹ 'Trivikrama' is an epithet of Viṣṇu, who paced the three worlds in three steps in His Vāmana or Dwarf incarnation. The sense is, that just as the all- pervading Lord is said to have three strides only, so He may be said to be of the size of a thumb only. ² I.e. the Lord manifests Himself as of the size of a thumb to please his devotees. ³ The compound 'manuṣyādhikāratvāt' is to be explained as follows. ⁴ That is, scriptural mandates are to be followed by all ⁵ Vide Pū. Mī. Sū. 6.1.4-5, pp 504-7, Part 1.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 26. ADH 7 ] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 179 established that the Supreme Soul alone is the Person of the size of merely a thumb. Here ends the section entitled 'What is measured' ¹ (3). Adhikaraṇa 7. The section entitled 'The deity'. (Sūtras 26-30) SŪTRA 26 "EVEN THOSE WHO ARE ABOVE THEM (I.E. MEN) (ARE ENTITLED TO THE WORSHIP OF BRAHMAN), (SO) BĀDARĀYAṆA (HOLDS), BECAUSE OF POSSIBILITY " Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha The gods and the rest also, who are above men, are entitled to such a worship of Brahman,—so thinks the reverend " Bādarāyaṇa." Vedānta-kaustubha It has been said in the last section that the text about the Person of the size of merely a thumb is explicable in reference to the heart of men, as men are entitled to Scripture. Now, incidentally, the question as to whether or not gods too are entitled to the worship of Brahman is being considered. In the Bṛhadāraṇyaka, we read 'Whoever among the gods was awakened to this, he alone became that, likewise among the sages' (Bṛh 1.4 10). (The sense is.) Whoever among the gods, and similarly among the sages 'was awakened', i.e. directly perceived Brahman, 'he alone' attained the nature of Brahman. Here, on the doubt, viz. whether or not the gods are entitled to the worship of Brahman, which is a means to attaining His nature, if the suggestion be: As men are entitled to Scripture; and as Indra and the rest are incapable of practising meditation,—seeing that they, whose bodies consist of sacred texts, are not possessed of physical bodies,²—the worship of Brahman is not possible on the part of the gods,—we reply· Such a worship of Brahman is possible on the part of gods as well, who are "above" men,—so the reverend "Bādarāyaṇa" thinks Why? 1 The section entitled 'What is measured' is resumed in sūtra 1.3.40. 2 That is, in order that one might carry on meditation, one must have a physical body, which a god lacks. Hence a god cannot practise meditation.

[Sū. 1. 3. 26 180 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 7 ] "On account of possibility," i e because the worship and the like of Brahman, leading to salvation which is characterized by the attainment of Brahman and is preceded by the cessation of all retributive experience due to their own works, is possible on their part as well. Thus, although they have supermundane and celestial enjoyment, yet since such an enjoyment is subject to the faults of non-permanency, surpassability and the rest, its cessation, one day or other, is possible, hence, a desire for salvation, too, is possible on their part, by reason of their learning the unsurpassability, supreme blissfulness and perma- nency of the attainment of the nature of Brahman; and finally through this desire for salvation, a worship of Brahman, too, is possible on their part ¹ there being proofs establishing their right to the worship of Brahman, viz the texts: 'For one hundred and one years, forsooth Indra dwelt with Prajāpati, practising chastity' (Chānd. 8 11.3), 'Verily, Bhṛgu, the son of Varuṇa, approached his father Varuṇa, (with the request) "Sir, teach me Brahman "' (Tait. 3 1 1) and so on. Similarly, corporality, too, is possible on their part in accordance with text about the evolution of name and form,² as well as in accord- ance with sacred formulæ, explanatory and glorificatory passages and tradition ³ Thus it is declared by Scripture: 'When about to say "vasat", he should meditate on that deity for whom the offering is taken' (Ait. Br. 11.8 ⁴). Here, no meaning of the text being possible unless the god referred to, be possessed of a body,⁵ the god must be understood to have a body In tradition too, the sun, the moon, Vasu and the rest are well-known to have bodies The sons of Kuntī were born from gods like Dharma and the rest, possessed of bodies.⁶ ¹ That is, just as in the case of a man, the non-permanency of the earthly enjoyment leads him to seek for salvation, which yields a permanent fruit, and that, again, leads him to worship the Lord as a means thereto, so exactly the non-permanency of the heavenly enjoyment leads a god to seek for salvation, which leads him to worship the Lord. ² Vide Chānd. 6.3.2-4. ³ Mantras, artha-vāda and itihāsa. ⁴ Ānandāśrama ed., p. 305. These are mantra and artha-vāda. ⁵ Because, we cannot meditate on the deity, unless he possesses a body. To meditate is to meditate on a certain definite form Cf. Śrī. B 1 3 25. 'Na hi nirviśeṣa-devatā dhiyaṃ adhirohati.' ⁶ Kuntī, the wife of Pāṇḍu, had, with his approval, three sons, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma and Arjuna, by the three deities, Dharma, Vāyu and Indra respectively. Vide Mahā. 1 4760 et seq. (chap. 123), pp. 174 et seq., vol. 1.

[sū. 1. 3. 27. ADH. 7.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 181 In the Purāṇas, too, there is a multitude of legends of various kinds about them, possessing bodies. The verses from those chapters are not quoted here for fear of increasing the bulk of the book. SŪTRA 27 “ IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT (IF THE GODS BE POSSESSED OF BODIES) A CONTRADICTION WITH REGARD TO WORKS (WILL RESULT), (WE REPLY :) NO, BECAUSE OF THE OBSERVATION OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MANY (BODIES BY THE GODS, ETC.) ” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha If it be objected. Since the worship of Brahman is not possible without a body, their corporality must surely be admitted But it that be so, it will give rise to a “ contradiction with regard to works ”,— (We reply :) “ no ” such objection can arise. Why? “ Because of the observation of the assumption ” simultaneously of many bodies even by one and the same deity. Vedānta-kaustubha If it be objected· Although the corporality of the gods, as of us, is an inevitable conclusion, as the activities in connection with the repeated practice of ‘hearing’, ‘thinking’ and ‘meditating’ are possible only on the part of one who is endowed with a body, sense-organs and mind, and as in that way alone it is possible for them to be the bene- factors of sacrifices, through their actual presence, like sacrificing priests and the rest,¹—yet if they be possessed of bodies, there will be “ a contradiction with regard to works ”, viz. sacrifices and the rest, since the simultaneous presence of one body (i.e. of one god) in many sacrifices is impossible,²— (We reply :) “ No ”. Why? “ Because of the observation of many worships ” ³ “ Many ”, i.e. of various forms, “ worship ”, “ on account ¹ That is, if gods be possessed of bodies, then they may themselves be present at sacrifices, like the priests, and conduce to their proper performance, etc. ² That is, one and the same god is simultaneously invoked in many sacrifices, but evidently, he cannot be simultaneously present in many places ³ The compound ‘aneka-pratipatter darśanāt’ is explained as follows.

[SŪ. 1. 3 27. 182 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 7.] of the observation of that". Thus, just as one and the same teacher is found to be saluted simultaneously by many saluting dis- ciples, just as one and the same sun is found to be worshipped simul- taneously by many worshipping men, so there is no inconsistency in supposing that different sacrificers offer their own objects to one and the same corporal deity who abides in his own place. Hence no harm is done to sacrifices Or else, there may be another construction of the phrase "aneka- pratipatter darsanāt". If it be objected that there will be "a con- tradiction with regard to works" in the stated way,—(we reply.) "No" Why? "On account of the assumption of many", i.e. on account of the assumption of many forms, or on account of the attainment of many bodies, by one and the same person who is perfected by Yoga Why? "Because of the observation" of it in Scripture. Thus, in the Moksa-dharma,¹ a question being put forth concerning the Sāṁkhya and the Yoga thus, " 'Reverend father, it behoves you to tell me in particular about the Sāṁkhya and the Yoga. Everything, O knower of sacred duties, is known to you, O best among the Kurus"!' (Mahā. 12 11037 ²), the text, having set forth an eulogy of the Sāṁkhya and the Yoga, goes on · ' "Those who are endowed with the power of the Yoga and are self-controlled and majestic, enter, O Pārtha, through Yoga into Prajāpatis, sages, gods and the great elements. Neither Yama, nor the angry Antaka,³ nor the supremely mighty Mrtyu lords it, O king, over the Yoga of unmeasured might A yogin, O mightiest of the Bhāratas, can, by reason of attaining strength,⁴ create many bodies for himself, and move about the world by them all By some he may attain (i e enjoy) objects, by others, he may practise a severe penance, and he may again contract them, as the sun does the multitude of its rays' (Mahā. 12.11060–64 ⁵). ¹ Name of a section of the twelfth book of the Mahābhārata, from chap. 174 to the end ² P. 751, line 27, vol. 3. ³ Name of Yama, the god of Death. ⁴ Here the śatṛ-suffix implies reason. ⁵ P 755, lines 20-23, vol. 3.

[sū. 1. 3. 28 ADH. 7.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 183 SŪTRA 28 “IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT (A CONTRADICTION WILL RESULT) WITH REGARD TO WORD, (WE REPLY :) NO, ON ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN (OF EVERYTHING) FROM IT, ON ACCOUNT OF PERCEPTION (I.E. SCRIPTURE) AND INFERENCE (I E SMṚTI).” Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha If it be objected that if the corporality of the gods be admitted, a contradiction will result with regard to the Vedic words denoting them, as these words will become meaningless prior to the origin of the objects (viz. the gods) denoted by them and subsequent to their destruction,— (We reply:) No such contradiction results, “on account of the origin” of the objects (viz. the gods and the rest) “from it”, i.e. from the words alone, denoting eternal prototypes or forms, and serving as reminders to the thought of Prajāpati, in accordance with the following scriptural and Smṛti texts. ‘He evolved name and form by means of the Veda’ (Tait. Br. 2.6 2 3 ¹), ‘A celestial word, without beginning and end, eternal, and composed of the Vedas was emitted by the self-born in the beginning, whence proceeded all activities’ (Mahā 12.8534 ²). Vedānta-kaustubha Here, the word ‘contradiction’ is to be supplied from the preced- ing aphorism. If it be objected. Very well, there may not be any contradiction with regard to works if the gods be possessed of bodies, still there may be contradiction “with regard to the words” denoting gods and the rest, i e with regard to the Vedic forms. That is, on account of the non-eternity of the bodies of the gods,—they being due to karmas—as well as on account of the eternity of the Vedic texts, the eternal relation between a word and its meaning will be ¹ P. 275, line 9, vol. 2. Reading ‘ . . . . rūpe . . . . ’. R, ŚK. ² P. 666, line 22, vol. 3. Ś, R, Bh. Reading: ‘Anādi-nidhanā vidyā . .’ Vaṅgavāsī ed. reads: ‘Anādi- nidhanā vidyā . . . Ādau deva-mayī vidyā .’ P. 1635, vol. 2. Saṁkara, Rāmānuja and Bhāskara too read ‘Anādi-nidhanā nityā . . .’ like Nimbārka.

[SŪ. 1. 3 28. 184 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH 7.] impossible, and hence a contradiction will result between the object which is limited in time and the word which is true for all times. If it be said that owing to the force of the word, the object too is eternal,—then a contradiction will result with regard to the texts which prove its non-eternity. If it be said that for the sake of the object, the word is non-eternal,—then there will arise a contradiction with regard to the texts which prove its eternity — (We reply·) “No”. There is no contradiction with regard to the word as well. Why? “On account of the origin from it”, i e. on account of the origin, or the rise, of the gods and the rest from this, i e from the Vedic words, denoting the eternal prototypes of gods, etc. and serving as a reminder to the thought of the creator regarding the forms of gods, etc to be created at the time of each particular creation. Thus, when a certain great personality, who has accumulated a mass of merit and desires to become Prajāpati, comes to attain lordship through the grace of the Lord, he is called ‘Prajāpati’. At the time of creation when individuals like the former gods and the rest are no more, Prajāpati, having learnt the Veda in a manner to be designated hereafter,¹ and having apprehended, like a man arisen from sleep,² the particular prototypes of the gods and the rest by means of the lamp-like Veda, i.e from the Vedic words alone which denote those particular prototypes, creates the later gods, etc in accordance with those prototypes. Hence there is no room for the alleged contradiction. If it be objected, What proof is there that Prajāpati creates objects after having known their particular forms from the Vedic words?—we reply: “On account of perception and inference”. “Per- ception” means Scripture, since it is independent of any other proof. “Inference” means Smṛti, since it demonstrates the meaning of Scrip- ture,—on account of these two, i.e. on account of Scripture and Smṛti. First, the scriptural passage is the following; viz. ‘Prajāpati evolved name ³ and form the existent and the non-existent, by means of the Veda’ (Tait. Br. 2 6 2.3), likewise: ‘He uttered “bhūr”, he ¹ Vide Br. Sū. 1.3.30. ² That is, when a man arises from sleep at night he can see nothing until he lights a lamp. Similarly, at the beginning of creation, the creator knows particular objects from the lamp-like light of the Veda, i.e. knows the forms of those objects and creates them anew accordingly. ³ The text omits ‘nāma’.