Essentials of Hinduism - Brahma Sutra 5

Essentials of Hinduism

Brahma Sutra

Chapter 3 – Sadhana – Spiritual Practice

SECTION 3:

Topic 1 – Specification of Om: Vyapteshcha Sumnjasum – And (Cha), Because Om pervades all the Vedas (Vyaptehe), it is proper to Qualify it by the Word Udgitha (Sumnjasum). Now, the Word Udgitha refers to Brahman. “Let one Meditate on the letter Om (as) the Udgitha (Ch Up. I.i.1). Since Om pervades all the Vedas, it is appropriate to qualify it by the word Udgitha. Hence, it is flawless and appropriate that Om, which is common to all the Vedas, should be qualified by the term “Udgitha” in the text, “the letter Om”.

Topic 2 – The Knower of the Saguna Brahman Alone goes by the Path of the Gods after Death and not the Knower of the Nirguna Brahman: Sutra 29 - This Sutra says that a Worshipper with the Knowledge of Saguna Brahman (Brahman possessing Attributes), after Death, their Soul goes by the Path of the Gods. But the Knowledge which results from absorption in the Nirguna Brahman (Brahman without possessing Attributes), is merely the destruction of Ignorance. “Shaking off good and evil, free from Passions, he reaches the Highest Unity” (Mu Up.). Since he has already attained his Goal, namely the Unity, the journey along the Devayana is meaningless for him. Therefore the worshipper of Saguna Brahman alone goes by the Devayana.

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Topic 3 – All the Worshippers of the Saguna Brahman go after Death by the Path of the Gods to Brahmaloka: Sutra 31 – The Passage of the Soul by the Path of the Gods is not restricted only to certain Vidyas of the Saguna Brahman Format of Worship, but it applies equally to all Vidyas of the Saguna Brahman. There is no contradiction as is seen from the Shruti and Smriti. Those who Meditate thus through Panchagni Vidya (Meditation on the Five Fires) and also those who Meditate in the Forest endowed with Sraddha and Tapas go by the Path of Gods (Ch Up.). For the support of this view by the Smriti see Gita VIII.

Topic 4 – Perfected Souls may be reborn for the fulfillment of some Divine Mission: Sutra 32 – Rishi Apantaratama was born again as Vyasa. Sanatkumara was born as Skanda. So also other Rishis like Vasista and Narada were born again. These Rishis had attained the Knowledge of Brahman, and yet they had to be re-born. This Sutra says that ordinarily a person after attaining the Knowledge is not re-born. But the case of those who have a Divine Mission to fulfill is different. Those perfected sages have one or more births until their Mission is fulfilled, after which they are not born again. But they never come under the sway of ignorance although they may be reborn. Their case is analogous (similar) to that of a Jivanmukta, who even after attaining Knowledge continues his corporal existence as long as the Prarabdha Karma lasts.

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Topic 6 – The Self is different from the Body: Sutra 53 – This Sutra confirms the existence of the Soul, as different from the Body. The Materialists deny the existence of an Atma other than the Body. They say that Man is only a Body, having a quality of consciousness. They arrive at this conclusion in this way. Consciousness is seen to exist only when there is a Body. Independent of the Body, consciousness is not experienced. Hence it is only a quality of the Body. This Sutra refutes (does not approve) this view. Consciousness cannot be a quality of the Body, because, a dead person is not conscious of his Body. Therefore, this consciousness is a quality of something different from and residing inside the Body. This thing which cognizes (awareness) this Body of ours is the Self, and therefore, consciousness is a quality of this Self.

SECTION 4

Topic 1 – Rituals etc. needed for Knowledge: Sutra 26 – The Scriptures prescribe Rituals like Sacrifices etc. as means to the Attainment of Knowledge. However, the Sacrifices are unnecessary for the attainment of its results, namely, Liberation. Rituals Purifies the Mind, and the Knowledge of the Self is manifested in such a Pure Mind. So works have a place as a means to Knowledge, though an indirect one. “He who knows it (control of Body and Mind) becomes Self-Controlled, calm, withdrawn into himself, enduring and concentrated, and sees the Self in his own Self (Body)” (Br Up.).

Topic 2 – Restrictions about Food: Sutra 26 – Restrictions about Food may be waived only when life is at stake. Only when life is jeopardized, there is permission to take all kinds of Food, because the Sruthi declares that. “For one who knows this, there is nothing that is not Food” (Ch Up.). This Sutra says that it is only a statement of fact that where the idea of an injunction (restriction) does not arise, we are not justified in assuming one. When the crops in the country of Kurus had been destroyed by hail” etc. (Ch Up.), the sage Chakrayana was dying for want of Food, he ate some stale grains. The Smritis also say that both who have Knowledge and those who have not can take any Food when Life is in danger; then it is not sinful. However, they prohibit various kinds of Food as objectionable. In the Samhita of the Kathas is found a text: “A Brahmana should not drink spirituous liquors”.

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Topic 3 – Time of fruition of Knowledge: Sutra 51: Aihikam Api Aprastuta-pratibandhe Tat-darshanaat – (The Fruition may be) - Even (Api), in this life (Haihika), if there is no obstruction to what means is adopted (Aprastuta-pratibandhay), for so is seen (in the Upanishads) (Tat- Darshanat) – The Generation of Knowledge takes place even in this life if there is no obstruction to the means adopted. For this is what is revealed (by the Upanishads). The idea implied is this: Knowledge is possible even in this Life, provided the means adopted for Enlightenment are not obstructed in any way by some other result of past fructifies (productive) just then. Should it however be obstructed, the fruition comes in a subsequent Birth. Hence the conclusion is confirmed that Knowledge arises either in this Life or a subsequent one depending on the removal of impediment.

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.