AKA Vedanta Sutras or Shariraka Sutras
Author: Sage Badarayana
The Brahma Sutras are a foundational text of Hindu philosophy, specifically the Vedanta tradition. Written by the sage Badarayana (often associated with Vyasa) around 400–450 CE (with older origins), the text consists of 555 concise aphorisms (sutras) organized into four chapters.Their primary purpose is to systematize and harmonize the teachings of the Upanishads, which can often seem contradictory at first glance.
The Three Pillars of Vedanta
The Brahma Sutras make up the first of the Prasthanatrayi ("three starting points") which form the basis of all Vedanta philosophy. The other two pillars are:
The Upanishads (The foundational revelations)
The Bhagavad Gita (The practical application of philosophy)
Chapter 15: 4.3
4.3
Verse #1
Only One Path to the World of Brahman |
ॐ अर्चिरादिना तत्प्रथितेः ॐ ४.३.१॥ ||
Only One Path to the World of Brahman | oṃ arcirādinā tatprathiteḥ oṃ 4.3.1.. ||
Only One Path to the World of Brahman | o arciradina tatprathite o 4.3.1.. ||
1. The soul travels along the path starting from flame, that being well known.
Sw. Krishnananda
On the path connected with light (the departed soul of the knower of Saguna Brahman travels to Brahmaloka after death), that being well-known (from the Sruti).
Sw. Krishnananda
On the path connected with light (the departed soul of the knower of Saguna Brahman travels to Brahmaloka after death), that being well-known (from the Sruti).
Verse #2
The Departing Soul Reaches Air after Year |
ॐ वायुशब्दादविशेषविशेषाभ्याम् ॐ ४.३.२॥ ||
The Departing Soul Reaches Air after Year | oṃ vāyuśabdādaviśeṣaviśeṣābhyām oṃ 4.3.2.. ||
The Departing Soul Reaches Air after Year | o vayusabdadavisesavisesabhyam o 4.3.2.. ||
2. The soul of the knower of the qualified Brahman goes from the year to air, on account of the absence and presence of specification.
Sw. Krishnananda
(The departed soul) (of a knower of the Saguna Brahman goes) from the deity of the year to the deity of the air on account of the absence and presence of specification.
Sw. Krishnananda
(The departed soul) (of a knower of the Saguna Brahman goes) from the deity of the year to the deity of the air on account of the absence and presence of specification.
Verse #3
The Soul proceeds from Lightning to Varuna |
ॐ तटितोऽधि वरुणः संबन्धात् ॐ ४.३.३॥ ||
The Soul proceeds from Lightning to Varuna | oṃ taṭito'dhi varuṇaḥ saṃbandhāt oṃ 4.3.3.. ||
The Soul proceeds from Lightning to Varuna | o tatito'dhi varuna sabandhat o 4.3.3.. ||
3. Varuna is to be placed after lightning, because of their connection with water (ie., cloud).
Sw. Krishnananda
After (reaching) the deity of lightning (the soul reaches) Varuna, on account of the connection (between the two).
Sw. Krishnananda
After (reaching) the deity of lightning (the soul reaches) Varuna, on account of the connection (between the two).
Verse #4
Guiding Deities |
ॐ आतिवाहिकस्तल्लिङ्गात् ॐ ४.३.४॥ ||
Guiding Deities | oṃ ātivāhikastalliṅgāt oṃ 4.3.4.. ||
Guiding Deities | o ativahikastallingat o 4.3.4.. ||
4. (Flame etc., are) conducting deities, owing to the indicative mark to that effect.
Sw. Krishnananda
(These are) deities conducting the soul (on the path of the gods), on account of indicatory marks to that effect.
Sw. Krishnananda
(These are) deities conducting the soul (on the path of the gods), on account of indicatory marks to that effect.
Verse #5
ॐ उभयव्यामोहात्तत्सिद्धेः ॐ |
४.३.५॥ ||
oṃ ubhayavyāmohāttatsiddheḥ oṃ ||
o ubhayavyamohattatsiddhe o ||
5. Because that stands established on account of both (the traveller and the path) being then unconscious.
Sw. Krishnananda
(That deities or divine guides are meant in these texts, they are personal conductors) is established, because both (i.e., the path and the traveller) become unconscious.
Sw. Krishnananda
(That deities or divine guides are meant in these texts, they are personal conductors) is established, because both (i.e., the path and the traveller) become unconscious.
Verse #6
ॐ वैद्युतेनैव ततस्तच्छ्रुतेः ॐ |
४.३.६॥ ||
oṃ vaidyutenaiva tatastacchruteḥ oṃ ||
o vaidyutenaiva tatastacchrute o ||
6. From there they are guided by the very same being who comes to lightning; for it is of him that the Upanishad speaks.
Sw. Krishnananda
From thence (the souls are led or guided) by the very same (superhuman) person who comes to lightning, that being known from the Sruti.
Sw. Krishnananda
From thence (the souls are led or guided) by the very same (superhuman) person who comes to lightning, that being known from the Sruti.
Verse #7
The Path Leads to the Conditioned Brahman |
ॐ कार्यं बादरिरस्य गत्युपपत्तेः ॐ ४.३.७॥ ||
The Path Leads to the Conditioned Brahman | oṃ kāryaṃ bādarirasya gatyupapatteḥ oṃ 4.3.7.. ||
The Path Leads to the Conditioned Brahman | o karya badarirasya gatyupapatte o 4.3.7.. ||
7. Badari thinks that the souls are led to the conditioned Brahman, for it (alone) can reasonably be the goal.
Sw. Krishnananda
To the Karya Brahman or Hiranyagarbha or Saguna Brahman (the departed souls are led); (thus opines) the sage Baadari on account of the possibility of its being the goal (of their journey).
Sw. Krishnananda
To the Karya Brahman or Hiranyagarbha or Saguna Brahman (the departed souls are led); (thus opines) the sage Baadari on account of the possibility of its being the goal (of their journey).
Verse #8
ॐ विशेषितत्वाच्च ॐ |
४.३.८॥ ||
oṃ viśeṣitatvācca oṃ ||
o visesitatvacca o ||
8. And (the conditioned Brahman must be the goal) owing to the specific mention of this.
Sw. Krishnananda
And on account of the qualification (with respect to this Brahman in another text).
Sw. Krishnananda
And on account of the qualification (with respect to this Brahman in another text).
Verse #9
ॐ सामीप्यात्तु तद्व्यपदेशः ॐ |
४.३.९॥ ||
oṃ sāmīpyāttu tadvyapadeśaḥ oṃ ||
o samipyattu tadvyapadesa o ||
9. But (the conditioned Brahman has) that designation owing to nearness (to the absolute Brahman).
Sw. Krishnananda
But on account of the nearness (of the Saguna Brahman to the Supreme Brahman it is) designated as that (Supreme Brahman).
Sw. Krishnananda
But on account of the nearness (of the Saguna Brahman to the Supreme Brahman it is) designated as that (Supreme Brahman).
Verse #10
ॐ कार्यात्यये तदध्यक्षेण सहातः परमभिधानात् ॐ |
४.३.१०॥ ||
oṃ kāryātyaye tadadhyakṣeṇa sahātaḥ paramabhidhānāt oṃ ||
o karyatyaye tadadhyaksena sahata paramabhidhanat o ||
10. On the final dissolution of the world of the conditioned Brahman, they attain, along with the lord of the world, what is higher than this conditioned Brahman, as is known on the strength of the Upanishadic declaration.
Sw. Krishnananda
On the dissolution of the Brahmaloka (the souls attain) along with the ruler of that world what is higher than that (i.e., the Supreme Brahman) on account of the declaration of the Sruti.
Sw. Krishnananda
On the dissolution of the Brahmaloka (the souls attain) along with the ruler of that world what is higher than that (i.e., the Supreme Brahman) on account of the declaration of the Sruti.
Verse #11
ॐ स्मृतेश्च ॐ |
४.३.११॥ ||
oṃ smṛteśca oṃ ||
o smtesca o ||
11. This is confirmed by Smriti as well.
Sw. Krishnananda
And on account of the Smriti (texts supporting this view).
Sw. Krishnananda
And on account of the Smriti (texts supporting this view).
Verse #12
ॐ परं जैमिनिर्मुख्यत्वात् ॐ |
४.३.१२॥ ||
oṃ paraṃ jaiminirmukhyatvāt oṃ ||
o para jaiminirmukhyatvat o ||
12. Jaimini thinks that they are led to the supreme Brahman, that being the primary meaning (of the word Brahman).
Sw. Krishnananda
To the highest (Brahman) (the souls are led); Jaimini opines, on account of that being the primary meaning (of the word 'Brahman').
Sw. Krishnananda
To the highest (Brahman) (the souls are led); Jaimini opines, on account of that being the primary meaning (of the word 'Brahman').
Verse #13
ॐ दर्शनाच्च ॐ |
४.३.१३॥ ||
oṃ darśanācca oṃ ||
o darsanacca o ||
13. And (this is so) because the Upanishad reveals (this fact).
Sw. Krishnananda
And because the Sruti declares that.
Sw. Krishnananda
And because the Sruti declares that.
Verse #14
ॐ न च कार्ये प्रतिपत्त्यभिसन्धिः ॐ |
४.३.१४॥ ||
oṃ na ca kārye pratipattyabhisandhiḥ oṃ ||
o na ca karye pratipattyabhisandhi o ||
14. Moreover, the firm resolution about attainment is not concerned with the conditioned Brahman.
Sw. Krishnananda
And the desire to attain Brahman cannot be with respect to the Saguna Brahman.
Sw. Krishnananda
And the desire to attain Brahman cannot be with respect to the Saguna Brahman.
Verse #15
Worship with and without Symbols |
ॐ अप्रतीकालम्बनान्नयतीति बादरायणरुभयथा च दोषात् तत्क्रतुश्च ॐ ४.३.१५॥ ||
Worship with and without Symbols | oṃ apratīkālambanānnayatīti bādarāyaṇarubhayathā ca doṣāt tatkratuśca oṃ 4.3.15.. ||
Worship with and without Symbols | o apratikalambanannayatiti badarayanarubhayatha ca dosat tatkratusca o 4.3.15.. ||
15. Badarayana says that the superhuman being leads to Brahman only those who do not use symbols (in their meditation), since this twofold division involves no contradiction and one becomes what one resolves to be.
Sw. Krishnananda
Baadarayana holds that (the superhuman being) leads (to Brahmaloka only) those who do not take recourse to a symbol of Brahman in their meditation; there being no fault in the twofold relation (resulting from this opinion) and (it being construed on the doctrine) as is the meditation on that (i.e., Brahman) so does one become.
Sw. Krishnananda
Baadarayana holds that (the superhuman being) leads (to Brahmaloka only) those who do not take recourse to a symbol of Brahman in their meditation; there being no fault in the twofold relation (resulting from this opinion) and (it being construed on the doctrine) as is the meditation on that (i.e., Brahman) so does one become.
Verse #16
ॐ विशेषं च दर्शयति ॐ |
४.३.१६॥ |
इति श्रीमत्कृष्णद्वैपायनकृत ब्रह्मसूत्रेषु चतुर्थाध्यायस्य तृतीयः पादः समाप्तः ||
oṃ viśeṣaṃ ca darśayati oṃ ||
o visesa ca darsayati o ||
16. And the Upanishad reveals a speciality about the results (of meditations with symbols).
Sw. Krishnananda
And the scripture declares a difference (in the case of meditation on symbols).
Sw. Krishnananda
And the scripture declares a difference (in the case of meditation on symbols).