Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha Sri Bhashya - Swami Ramanujas commentary on the Brahma Sutra (A brief explanation for novice) Posting No: 43 (26th December 2014) This series is just an attempt to sensitise the seekers, not an argumentative or detailed analysis. Understanding Brahman is a complex exercise. Therefore, those who are interested in deeper understanding are requested to read the treatises written by acknowledged scholars. Blessings sought from seekers to continue this exercise - Adiyen Ramanuja Dasan - Muralidharan Seshadri. Adhyaya I, Pada II Sarvatraprasiddhyadhikarana 1 இரண்டாம் பாதம் முதல் அதிகரணம் 1.2.7 அர்ப்பகௌகச்வாத்...தத்வ்யபதேசாச்ச நேதி சேந் ந, நிசாச்யயத்வாதேவம் வ்யோமவச்ச சிறிய இடத்தில் இருப்பவன் சிறியவன் என்றும் சொல்வதால் அது பிரம்மம் அல்ல என்று கொள்ளக் கூடாது. வணங்குவதர்கேற்பட்ட வசதி, அது பிரம்மமே. 1.2.7 Arbhakaukastvat tadvyapadesacca neti cenna, nicayyatvadevam vyomavacca Should it be said that the passage does not refer to the Brahman on account of the smallness of the abode stated, and on account of denotation of that (i.e. minuteness of the being); we say no; because the brahman has to be meditated upon thus, and because in the same passage He is said to be like ether. The scriptural text, He is my Self within the heart and smaller than a grain of rice (Chand. Up. III 14.3) declares the being as dwelling within the minute abode. He is also designated as having a minute size. Hence, he is not the Highest one. It is no so. He has been so designated only for the purpose of meditation and not because of His minute size. The illustrative example is the ether. The bigness of His size has been stated in the scriptural text, Greater than the earth, greater than the sky, etc. (Chand. Up. III 14.3). Swami Ramanuja explains the whole passage thus: Beginning with sarvam khalu idham brahma’, all this is Brahman, it enjoins meditation on Brahman as the inner self and the cause of the world. Next it declares the attainment of Brahman through meditation and gives the characteristics of Brahman as being manOmaya, prAnasarira, etc. Next mentions Brahman as abiding in the heart as the inner self. From all this it is clear that the minuteness and smallness of abode is only for the purpose of meditation.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 11:21:20 +0000