The Sutras are short Aphorisms (short sayings stating great Truths), meaning clues, and were intended as memory-aids on any Topic which the Student has gone through with his Guru. The maximum of Thought was compressed into these Sutras in as few words as possible. Also, refer to the meaning of the Sanskrit Sloka above for Sutra Definition.
The Upanishads seemed to have contradictions. Hence, arose the necessity of Systematizing the Thought of the Upanishads. Sankara, in his Commentaries refers to Badarayana – he is Ascribed (credited) as the Author of the Sutras. Veda-Vyasa was called Badarayana as he had an Ashrama at Badari in the Himalayas. Brahma Sutras of Badarayana somehow gained prominence and as a result all the great Acharyas have written Commentaries on it.
The Great Commentators – all of them – agree that Brahman is the cause of this World and that the Knowledge of Him leads to Final Emancipation (Liberation) which is the Goal to be attained; also that, Brahman can be known only through the Scriptures and not through mere reasoning. However, they differ amongst themselves as to the nature of this Brahman.
(1) Brahman is Attributeless (without Characteristic). Brahman is just Pure Intelligence. He is Nirguna-Brahman (Brahman Without Form). It is called Nirguna-Brahman, because, it is a state at which we do not feel anything or think about anything. The knowers of Nirguna Brahman attain the Self-Realization directly and do not have to travel the Path of Gods.
(2) the World is an apparent transformation through Maya;
(3) the Jivatma is essentially Paramatma, and this realization dawns on the removal of ignorance (Avidya).
(4) Jnyana (Knowledge) is the only means to Liberation.
According to Ramanuja:
(1) Brahman, is a Personal God possessing infinite benign (caring) Attributes. He is Saguna Brahman (Brahman with Form). The Knowers of Saguna Brahman, after attaining Self-Realization, they travel by the Path of gods to Brahmaloka from where they do not return but attain Brahman at the end of the Cycle.
(2) He does not accept the Maya Doctrine and he accepts the World is Real.
(3) The Jiva is a part of the Paramatma. (4) Bhakti is the chief means to Liberation and not Jnyana.
Brahman is Pure Intelligence and He is Attributeless. Brahma Sutra has four
(4) Chapters and each Chapter has four (4) Sections. Inside each Section, there are several Topics reviewed in the Original Brahma Sutra Bhashya of Sri Adi Sankaracharya. However, we will review below only the Selected Topics of interest to the Today’s World.
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.
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