Essentials of Hinduism - Brahma Sutra 2

Essentials of Hinduism

Brahma Sutra

SECTION 2

Topic 1 – The Being consisting of the Mind is Brahman: Sarvatra Prasiddo-padayshat Everywhere - in all the Upanishads (Sarvatra), because, the well known Entity (which is the Brahman) is being Taught. That which consists of the Mind (Manomaya) is Brahman, because, Brahman is the object to be Meditated upon. Sutras 1-8 (not listed, only First Sutra is stated above) – “All this indeed is Brahman, for it has its Beginning, End, and is sustained by that; so let a Man Meditate with a Calm Mind. He who consists of the Mind, whose Body is Prana (Subtle Body) – Ch Up”. A Man is a product of his Resolution. After departing from this World, a Man becomes just as he wills here, in this World (that is, according to what he Meditates upon). Moreover, one can become Calm as the Text asks by meditating on Brahman which is bereft of all Anger, Hatred, etc. In other Ch. Up it talks about Omnipresent and Invisible. In another Sutra, we have, “As He is smaller than the grain of Rice, or a grain of Barley, so is that Golden Being in the Self.” From the Smriti that quotes the Gita, “The Lord, O Arjuna, is seated in the Hearts of All Beings.” Because of the difference in the Nature of the two (two refers to the Individual Soul and the Brahman), the Soul is an Agent – the doer of good and evil experiences Pleasure and Pain (due to Ignorance), while, the Brahman is not an Agent, and therefore does not experience Pleasure and Mind.

Topic 2 – The two in the Cavity of the Heart: In this Sutra number 11, the two have entered into the Cavity of the heart are indeed the Individual Self and the Supreme Self, because, it is so seen.

Topic 3 – The Internal Ruler: In this Sutra 18, the Internal Ruler in the Divine and other contexts is the Supreme Self, because, the characteristics of the Supreme Self are spoken of. Example: The One who controls This and the Next Life and all Beings from Within (Br Up.). The Internal Ruler spoken about here is the Brahman and not the Individual Soul, because, he is described as All Pervading and since He is Inside and the Ruler within of Everything, that is, the Earth, the Sun, Water, Sky, the Ether, etc., and this is True only of Brahman.

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Topic 4 – The One that is unseen etc.: In this Sutra 21, the Possessor of Qualities like Invisibility is being mentioned and this refers to Brahman only. Example: “That which cannot be seen, nor seized, which is without Origin...Eternal, All-Pervading, Omnipresent, Extremely Subtle... the Source of All Beings, which the wise behold (Mu Up). Obviously, it cannot refer to the Individual Soul as it has limited qualities.

SECTION 3

Topic 1&2 – The Abode of Heaven, Earth etc.: The resting place of Heaven, Earth, etc. is Brahman. He is the bridge of Immortality. Know that Self Alone and leave off other talk! Topic 3 – Aksara is Brahman: Aksara the Imperishable is Brahman because it supports everything upto Akasha (ether). Aksara commonly represents the syllable “Om”, which is also an object of Meditation. The Sutra 10 however says Aksara here stands for Brahman. This Attribute of supporting Everything, even the Akasha, the first entity in the order of Creation, can be true only of Brahman. Therefore, the “Aksara: is Brahman”.

Topic 4 – The Small Space is Brahman: Now, there is in this City of Brahman (the Body) a small Lotus-like Place (the Heart), and in it is a Small Akasha. What exists within that Small Akasha is to be sought, that is to be understood. Here the Small Akasha is Brahman and does not mean ether, or, the Individual Soul (Jiva). It is the Self, free from sin, free from Old Age, all of which are the distinct qualities of the Highest Brahman.

Topic 5 – The right of the Gods to the study of the Vedas: Sutra 26 To clarify the doubt from the previous Sutra that men alone are entitled to the Study of the Vedas - - Badarayana thinks, the Gods in the Upper World too will have a desire for Brahmaloka or for Final Illumination. In the Shruti we find, Indra and Other Gods living the Life of Brahmacharya have desire for attaining the Knowledge of Brahman.

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Topic 6 – Akasha is Brahman: Sutra 41 – Akasha is Brahman, because, names and forms are within this Akasha. Akasha is said to be the revealer of names and forms. Manifestation of name and form in an absolute sense is not possible for anything but Brahman. Therefore, Akasha is Brahman.

SECTION 4

Topic 1 – There is no Contradiction in the Scriptures as regards the fact that Brahman is the first cause: Sutra 14 – all the Shruti texts refer to Brahman as the first cause. Consequently, it is safer to accept the Pradhana, which is established by reason and inference, as the first cause.

Topic 2 – Brahman is also the Material Cause of the World: Not being contradictory to the proposition and illustration cited in the Shruti, Brahman is also the Material Cause of the World. Example: “That from which the Universe has its Birth etc.” (Ee. Up). Earth, Gold etc are the cause for Pots, Necklaces etc. Also, because He is the efficient cause too. Example: “He thought...He Created Prana.” (Pr. Up). Therefore, Brahman is the efficient cause and the Material Cause.

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This article is a snippet from the Book Essentials of Hinduism, Authored by G.S Nilakantan. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in and across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture and Tradition.