गोविन्द भाष्य (श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण - अचिन्त्यभेदाभेद वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

virtues, he may be within the varṇāśrama-dharma, or he may be above varṇāśrama-
dharma, he will certainly attain transcendental knowledge. This has been clearly
explained.
Adhikaraṇa 14
The Secret of Transcendental Knowledge
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Now it will be said that transcendental knowledge is a great secret. In
Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (6.22) it is said:
vedānte paramaṁ guhyaṁ
purā-kalpe pracoditam
nāpraśāntāya dātavyaṁ
nāputrāyāśiṣyāya vā
"This, the supreme secret of Vedic literature, should not be spoken to one who
is not peaceful or in control of his senses, nor to one who is not a dutiful son or an
obedient disciple."
Saṁśaya (doubt): Should transcendental knowledge be taught to everyone or
should it not?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): Out of compassion the teacher does not
distinguish between who is fit and who is not fit to receive transcendental
knowledge. He reveals the truth to all.
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.
Sūtra 50
anāviṣkurvann anvayāt
anāviṣkurvan—not manifesting; anvayāt—because of tradition.

सूत्रम्: अनाविष्कुर्वन्नन्वयात् ॥ (वे शिष्य-परम्परा के नियम के कारण ज्ञान प्रकट नहीं करते हैं।)
श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण विरचित तात्पर्य:
यहाँ "अनाविष्कुर्वन्" शब्द का अर्थ है, "वह दिव्य ज्ञान की शिक्षा सबको प्रकट रूप से नहीं देता।"
ऐसा क्यों है? सूत्र स्पष्ट करता है: "अन्वयात्" (शिष्य-परम्परा की विधि के कारण)।
यह बात श्वेताश्वतर उपनिषद् के पूर्वोक्त प्रमाण से स्पष्ट घोषित है।
कमलनयन स्वयं भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण ने इन शब्दों में इसे व्यक्त किया है
(श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता १८.६७):
इदं ते नातपस्काय
नाभक्ताय कदाचन ।
न चाशुश्रूषवे वाच्यं
न च मां योऽभ्यसूयति ॥
"यह गुह्य ज्ञान कभी भी उसे नहीं बताना चाहिए जो तपस्या से हीन हो,
जो भक्त न हो, जो श्रवण-सेवा में तत्पर न हो, अथवा जो मुझसे
ईर्ष्या रखता हो।"
जब यह ज्ञान सुपात्र को दिया जाता है, तो यह दिव्य ज्ञान फलप्रद
होता है; किन्तु जब यह अपात्र को दिया जाता है, तो यह फल उत्पन्न
नहीं करता। यह श्वेताश्वतर उपनिषद् (६.२३) में व्याख्यायित है:
यस्य देवे परा भक्तिर्यथा देवे तथा गुरौ । . . .
"जिन महापुरुषों की भगवान् में परा भक्ति है और जैसी भगवान् में है वैसी ही गुरु में है,
उन महात्माओं के हृदय में ही वैदिक ज्ञान के समस्त गूढ़ अर्थ स्वतः प्रकाशित होते हैं।"
छान्दोग्य उपनिषद् (८.७.१–८.१५.१) में इन्द्र और विरोचन की कथा आती है कि
उन दोनों को ही आत्मज्ञान का उपदेश दिया गया था। तथापि, विरोचन एक उपयुक्त
शिष्य नहीं था, इसलिए वह इसे यथार्थ रूप से नहीं समझ सका। अतः यह दिव्य ज्ञान
उन्हीं को सिखाना चाहिए जो इसे समझने में समर्थ हों। उन्हें नहीं सिखाना चाहिए
जो असमर्थ हों। जो श्रद्धालु हैं तथा शास्त्रों को स्वीकार करते हैं, वे ही इसे समझने में
सक्षम होते हैं।
अधिकरण १५

Attaining Transcendental Knowledge in This Lifetime
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Now will be considered the time when transcendental knowledge is manifested.
Viṣaya (the subject to be discussed): The stories of Naciketa, Jābāla, and
Vāmadeva will be discussed here.
Saṁśaya (doubt): Is transcendental knowledge manifested in this life or the
next?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): It is manifested in the very lifetime that one
strives to attain it. This is because a person striving for knowledge thinks, "Let me
attain it in this lifetime."
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.
Sūtra 51
aihikam aprastuta-pratibandhe tad darśanāt
aihikam—in the presrnt life; aprastuta—not manifested; pratibandhe—
impediment; tat—that; darśanāt—from seeing.
In the absence of obstacles it is in this life. That is so because of scriptural
revelation.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
When there is no obstacle, transcendental knowledge is manifested in this
lifetime. When there is an obstacle it is manifested in another lifetime. Why is
that? The sūtra explains, "tad darśanāt" (That is so because of scriptural
revelation). In Kaṭha Upaniṣad (2.3.18) it is said:
mṛtyu-proktāṁ naciketo 'tha labdhvā
vidyām etāṁ yoga-vidhiṁ ca kṛtsnam

brahma-prāpto virajo 'bhūd vimṛtyur
anyo 'py evaṁ yo vidadhyātmam eva
"Learning from Yamarāja the truth of transcendental knowledge and yoga
practice, Naciketa attained the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He became free of
the contamination of material life. He became free from death. Anyone else who
truly knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead also becomes like Naciketa."
This text shows that transcendental knowledge can be manifested in one
lifetime. Sometimes, however, a person strives for transcendental knowledge but
attains it only in another lifetime. An example of this is seen in Bṛhad-āraṇyaka
Upaniṣad (1.4.10). When the obstacles are not great and the endeavor is very
powerful, one can attain transcendental knowledge in one lifetime. Naciketa and
the king of Sauvīra are examples of this. But when the obstacles are very powerful,
then transcendental knowledge may have to wait for another birth, even though
one may have performed great yajñas and austerities, given charity, and developed
peacefulness, self-control, and a host of other virtues. This is confirmed in the
following words of Bhagavad-gītā (6.37-45):
"Arjuna said: O Kṛṣṇa, what is the destination of the unsuccessful
transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with
faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain
perfection in mysticism?*
"O mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa, does not such a man, who is bewildered from the path
of transcendence, fall away from both spiritual and material success and perish like
a riven cloud, with no position in any sphere?*
"This is my doubt, O Kṛṣṇa, and I ask You to dispel it completely. But for You,
no one is to be found who can destroy this doubt.*
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Son of Pṛthā, a transcendentalist
engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world
or in the spiritual world. One who does good, My friend, is never overcome by
evil.*
"The unsuccessful yogī, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of
the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family
of rich aristocracy.*
"Or (if unsuccessful after long practice of yoga) he takes his birth in a family of
transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom. Certainly, such a birth is rare in
this world.*
"On taking such a birth, he revives the divine consciousness of his previous life,
and he tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son
of Kuru.*
"By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically
becomes attracted to the yogic principles, even without seeing them. Such an
inquisitive transcendentalist stands always above the ritualistic principles of the
scriptures.*
"And when the yogī engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further

Page Transcription

progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, achieving perfection
after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal."*
Therefore it is not an unfailing rule that one always attains transcendental
knowledge in one lifetime. A wise man agrees, "I may attain transcendental
knowledge in this lifetime or in another lifetime." That is the description in the
scriptures. Therefore one may attain transcendental knowledge in this lifetime or
in another lifetime. If there are obstacles, that knowledge may have to wait for
another lifetime.
Adhikaraṇa 16
Transcendental Knowledge and Liberation
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Now will be shown the truth that liberation inevitably follows the attainment of
transcendental knowledge. In the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad (4.4.17) it is said:
tam eva vidvān amṛta iha bhavati
"He who understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes immortal."
In the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (3.8) it is said:
tam eva viditvāti mṛtyum eti
"Only he who knows the Supreme Personality of Godhead can transcend the
bonds of birth and death."*
Saṁśaya (doubt): Does a person situated in transcendental knowledge attain
liberation when he leaves his material body, or must he take another birth and
then become liberated?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): Because the effect must follow the cause,
such a person attains liberation the moment he leaves his material body.
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives

देवनागरी (मूल संस्कृत एवं हिन्दी अनुवाद)

(पूर्व प्रसङ्ग - श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता ६.४५ श्लोकोद्धरणम्)
प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः। अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम्॥
हिन्दी अनुवाद: प्रयत्नपूर्वक साधन करने वाला योगी समस्त पापों से शुद्ध होकर अनेक जन्मों की साधना से सिद्ध होकर परम गति को प्राप्त होता है।
भाष्यम्: तस्मान्नैकान्तिकमेकस्मिन्नेव जन्मनि विद्याजन्म। 'इहैवामुत्र वा विद्या मे जायेत' इति धीमतोऽभिसन्धिदर्शनात्। तस्मात्प्रतिबन्धाप्रतिबन्धाभ्यामैहिकमामुष्मिकं वा विद्याजन्मेत्यर्थः।
हिन्दी अनुवाद: अतः यह कोई निश्चित नियम नहीं है कि एक ही जन्म में तत्त्वज्ञान उत्पन्न हो। ज्ञानी पुरुष का ऐसा संकल्प देखा जाता है कि "मुझे इसी जन्म में अथवा परजन्म में विद्या प्राप्त हो।" अतः प्रतिबन्ध होने अथवा न होने पर तत्त्वज्ञान इस जन्म में या अगले जन्म में उदित होता है।
अधिकरणम् १६: मुक्तिफलाधिकरणम्
विषय: तत्त्वज्ञान एवं मोक्षफल का सम्बन्ध
श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण विरचित गोविन्दभाष्यम् — अवतरणिका:
इदानीं विद्याया मुक्तिरव्यभिचरितं फलमित्युपदिश्यते।
हिन्दी अनुवाद: अब यह प्रतिपादित किया जाता है कि ब्रह्मविद्या का फल (मुक्ति) निश्चित एवं अव्यभिचारी है।
श्रुति प्रमाण (बृहदारण्यकोपनिषत् ४.४.१७):
तमेव विद्वानमृत इह भवति।
हिन्दी अनुवाद: उस परमपुरुष को जानकर ही मनुष्य इसी जीवन में अमर हो जाता है।
श्रुति प्रमाण (श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषत् ३.८):
तमेव विदित्वातिमृत्युमेति।
हिन्दी अनुवाद: उस परमात्मा को जानकर ही साधक मृत्यु का अतिक्रमण कर जाता है।
संशय: किं विद्यावतः शरीरपाते मुक्तावपि जन्मान्तरनियमोऽस्ति न वा? उत शरीरपातानन्तरमेव मुक्तिर्भवति?
हिन्दी संशय: क्या तत्त्वज्ञानी के शरीर त्यागने पर मुक्ति के लिए अन्य जन्म लेने का नियम है अथवा नहीं?
पूर्वपक्ष: कारणाविशेषाच्छरीरपाते सत्येव मुक्तिर्भवति, यतो हि कारणस्य अव्यवहितं कार्यं भवति।
हिन्दी पूर्वपक्ष: कारण की पूर्णता होने पर कार्य अवश्यम्भावी होता है, अतः ज्ञानी पुरुष शरीर त्यागते ही तत्काल मुक्ति प्राप्त करता है।
सिद्धान्त: इत्याशङ्क्य सूत्रकारः परिहरति—
हिन्दी सिद्धान्त: इस संशय के समाधान हेतु सूत्रकार (महर्षि बादरायण) अग्रिम सूत्र द्वारा समाधान करते हैं—

His conclusion.
Sūtra 52
evaṁ mukti-phalāniyamas tad-avasthāvadhṛtes tad-avasthāvadhṛteḥ
evam—thus; mukti—of liberation; phala—the result; a—not; niyamaḥ—rule;
tat—of that; avasthā—state of being; avadhṛteḥ—because of the determination.
In the same way there is no specific rule about liberation, for it depends on the
circumstances.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
As there is no rule about transcendental knowledge, so there is no rule that a
person situated in transcendental knowledge and striving for liberation must attain
liberation in the same lifetime. When there are no longer any obstacles, then a
person situated in transcendental knowledge attains liberation when he dies. This
means when there are no longer any past karmic reactions. When there are no
karmic reactions remaining, then one attains liberation at the moment of death.
When there are karmic reactions remaining one does not attain liberation at the
moment of death. Why is that? The sūtra explains, "tad-avasthāvadhṛteḥ" (for it
depends on the circumstances). In the Chāndogya Upaniṣad (6.14.2) it is said:
ācāryavān puruṣo veda tasya tāvad eva ciraṁ yāvan na vimokṣye atha sampatsye
"One who approaches a bona fide spiritual master can understand everything
about spiritual realization.* When his past karmic reactions are exhausted he at
once attains liberation."
In this way the Chāndogya Upaniṣad affirms that one attains liberation when
his past karmic reactions are exhausted. In the Nārāyaṇādhyātma it is said:
vidvān amṛtam āpnoti
nātra kāryā vicāraṇā
avasannaṁ yadārabdhaṁ
karma tatraiva gacchati
na ced bahūni janmāni
prāpyaivānte na saṁśayaḥ

"A person situated in transcendental knowledge attains liberation. Of this there
is no doubt. But if his past karmic reactions are not destroyed, many births may
pass before he finally attains liberation at the end. Of this there is no doubt."
Although transcendental knowledge certainly destroys all past karmic
reactions, still, by the Supreme Lord's will a certain portion of past karmic
reactions may remain. This will be explained later in this book. The last word of
the sūtra is repeated to indicate the end of the chapter.
Epilogue
janayitvā vairāgyaṁ
guṇair nibadhnāti modayan bhaktān
yais tair baddho 'pi guṇair
anurajyati so 'stu me hariḥ preyān
May Lord Hari, who gives renunciation of the world to His devotees and
delights by binding them with the ropes of His glorious qualities and who is
Himself bound with the ropes of His devotees' glorious qualities, be the object of
my love and devotion.
Chapter 4
Pada 1
Invocation
dattvā vidyauṣadhaṁ bhaktān
niravadyān karoti yaḥ
dṛk-pathaṁ bhajatu śrīmān
prītyātmā sa hariḥ svayam
May Lord Hari, who is glorious, handsome, blissful, and filled with love, and
who cures His devotees by giving them the medicine of transcendental knowledge,

enter the pathway of my eyes.
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
This chapter will consider the topic of the results obtained by one who has
transcendental knowledge. Although some of the sūtras discuss the methods by
which transcendental knowledge is obtained, because most discuss the results
obtained by transcendental knowledge, this chapter bears the title, "The Results of
Transcendental Knowledge".
Adhikaraṇa 1
One Should Always Engage in Devotional Service
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
In the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad (4.5.6) it is said:
ātmā vā are draṣṭavyaḥ
"One should gaze on the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
Saṁśaya (doubt): Must spiritual practices, such as hearing about the Lord's
glories, be performed repeatedly, or is it acceptable they not be performed
repeatedly (but only once)?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): As an agniṣṭoma-yajña and other yajñas
need be performed only once in order to grant residence in Svargaloka, in the same
way spiritual practices like hearing about the Lord's glories need be performed
only once for the worshiper to directly see the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Himself.
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.

Sūtra 1
āvṛttir asakṛd upadeśāt
āvṛttiḥ—repetition; asakṛt—many times; upadeśāt—because of the teaching.
It is repeated many times, for that is the teaching.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
The various activities of devotional service, which begin with hearing the
glories of the Lord, should be repeated many times. Why is that? The sūtra
explains, "asakṛt" (many times, for that is the teaching). In the Chāndogya
Upaniṣad (6.8.7) it is said:
sa ya eṣo 'ṇimā. etad ātmyam idaṁ sarvam. tat satyam. sa ātmā. tat tvam asi.
"He is the resting place. Everything comes from Him. He is the supreme reality.
He is the supreme person. You are like unto Him."
In these words Śvetaketu was instructed nine times. It is illogical to say that if
the scripture mentions an activity once then there is no need to perform that
activity many times. This may apply to an activity where the result is not directly
seen, but for an activity that has the direct perception of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead as its result, a result that is clearly seen, the activity must be repeated
until the result is obtained. This is like threshing rice, where the activity must be
continued until the husk is removed. Therefore the devotional activities that begin
with hearing the Lord's glories should be performed again and again until the
result is obtained.
Sūtra 2
liṅgāc ca
liṅgāt—because of a sign; ca—also.
Also because of a sign.

Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
In Taittirīya Upaniṣad (3.2) Bhṛgu Muni repeated a spiritual activity many
times. By this sign (liṅgāt) the importance of repetition is proved. It is understood
that repetition is necessary for the conditioned souls, who have committed
offenses.
Adhikaraṇa 2
Meditation on the Supersoul
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Now another topic will be considered.
Saṁśaya (doubt): Should one meditate on the Lord as the supreme controller or
as the all-pervading Supersoul?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): In the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (4.7) it is said:
juṣṭaṁ yadā paśyaty anyam īśam
"He sees the Lord as the supreme controller."
Therefore one should meditate on the Lord as the supreme controller.
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.
Sūtra 3
ātmeti tūpagacchanti grāhayanti ca
ātmā—the Supersoul; iti—thus; tu—indeed; upagacchanti—know;

grāhayanti—teach; ca—also.
Indeed, they know and teach that He is the Supersoul.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
The word "tu" (indeed) is used here for emphasis. The Supreme Personality of
Godhead, who is both the supreme controller and the all-pervading Supersoul,
should be worshiped. They who know the truth understand that the Supersoul is
the first cause of all causes. In the Śruti-śāstra it is said:
yeṣāṁ no 'yam ātmāyaṁ lokaḥ
"He is the Supersoul, present in everyone's heart."
They also teach this truth to their disciples. In the Bṛhad-āraṇyaka Upaniṣad
(1.4.7) it is said:
ātmety evopāsīta
"One should worship the Supersoul."
The word "ātmā" here should be understood to mean, "the all-powerful
Supreme Personality of Godhead, whose humanlike form is full of knowledge and
bliss". Some claim that the word "ātmā" means, "He who gives Himself to create
the living beings and who therefore is the person from whom the living beings are
manifested". The word “ātmā" however does not mean that when he is freed from
illusion the individual spirit soul becomes the Supreme. That is a false idea, as we
have already explained.
Adhikaraṇa 3
The Supreme Lord Is Not the Mind
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa

छान्दोग्योपनिषद् (३.१८.१) के निम्नलिखित वचनों में भगवान् की
उपासना वर्णित है:
मनो ब्रह्मेत्युपासीत
"मनुष्य को मन को ब्रह्म मानकर उपासना करनी चाहिए।"
संशय: क्या किसी को मन का ध्यान परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान्
के साथ अभिन्न रूप में करना चाहिए?
पूर्वपक्ष: क्योंकि शास्त्र प्रतिपादित करते हैं कि मन
और परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् भिन्न नहीं हैं, अतः इस प्रकार
का ध्यान किया जाना चाहिए।
सिद्धान्त: निम्नलिखित शब्दों में सूत्रकार अपना
निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत करते हैं।
सूत्र ४
न प्रतीके न हि सः
न—नहीं; प्रतीके—प्रतीक (अंश) में; न—नहीं; हि—निश्चय ही; सः—वह।
प्रतीक में नहीं। वह वह नहीं है।
तात्पर्य श्रील बलदेव विद्याभूषण द्वारा
किसी को यह नहीं सोचना चाहिए कि मन अथवा अन्य वस्तुएँ जो केवल अंश (प्रतीक) हैं,
वे स्वयं परमेश्वर से अभिन्न हैं। ऐसा इसलिए है क्योंकि परमेश्वर
अपने अंशों से अभिन्न नहीं हैं। अपितु, परमेश्वर ही मन के आधार
और विश्राम-स्थल हैं। श्रीमद्भागवत (११.२.४१) में कहा गया है:
खं वायुमग्निं सलिलं महीं च
ज्योतींषि सत्त्वानि दिशो द्रुमादीन्
सरित्समुद्रांश्च हरेः शरीरं
यत्किं च भूतं प्रणमेदनन्यः

प्रमाण-श्लोकः (श्रीमद्भागवतम् ११.२.४१) :
खं वायुमग्निं सलिलं महीं च ज्योतींषि सत्त्वानि दिशो द्रुमादीन् ।
सरित्समुद्रांश्च हरेः शरीरं यत्किञ्च भूतं प्रणमेदनन्यः ॥
श्लोकार्थ एवं पूर्वपक्ष-निष्कर्ष (हिन्दी अनुवाद) :
अनन्य भक्त को किसी भी वस्तु को परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण से पृथक् नहीं देखना चाहिए।
आकाश, वायु, अग्नि, जल, पृथ्वी, सूर्य एवं अन्य ज्योतिर्मण्डल, समस्त प्राणी,
दिशाएँ, वृक्ष-वनस्पतियाँ, नदियाँ तथा समुद्र—अर्थात् जो कुछ भी विद्यमान है,
उस समस्त जगत् को श्रीहरि का ही शरीर मानकर अनन्य भाव से प्रणाम करना चाहिए।
यहाँ 'हरेः शरीरम्' में प्रथमा विभक्ति को सप्तमी विभक्ति के अर्थ में समझना चाहिए—यही निष्कर्ष है।

अधिकरणम् ४ : ब्रह्मदृष्ट्यधिकरणम् (अव्यक्त / निर्विशेष ब्रह्म विचार)
श्रील बलदेवविद्याभूषण-विरचित गोविन्दभाष्य की भूमिका :
पूर्व अधिकरण में यह प्रतिपादित किया जा चुका है कि परम पुरुषोत्तम श्रीभगवान् का
सर्वव्यापी परमात्मा के रूप में ध्यान करना चाहिए।
संशय : क्या परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् में अव्यक्त (निर्विशेष) ब्रह्म की दृष्टि करनी चाहिए अथवा नहीं?
विषय : अव्यक्त ब्रह्म का निरूपण परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् के निरूपण से भिन्न प्रतीत होता है।
पूर्वपक्ष : परम पुरुषोत्तम भगवान् को अव्यक्त ब्रह्म से अभिन्न नहीं माना जाना चाहिए,
क्योंकि पूर्व में ही उनका सर्वान्तर्यामी परमात्मा के साथ तादात्म्य निश्चित हो चुका है।
सिद्धान्त : इस संशय के निवारण हेतु सूत्रकार महर्षि व्यास अपना सिद्धान्त प्रस्तुत करते हैं—
सूत्रम् ५ :
॥ ब्रह्मदृष्टिरुत्कर्षात् ॥ ५ ॥ (ब्रह्मसूत्र ४।१।५)
पदच्छेदः :
ब्रह्म-दृष्टिः, उत्कर्षात्।
पदार्थ (शब्दार्थ) :
ब्रह्म — परब्रह्म की;
दृष्टिः — दृष्टि (भावना, चिन्तन या उपासना);
उत्कर्षात् — सर्वोत्कृष्ट अथवा श्रेष्ठ होने के कारण।
सूत्रार्थ (हिन्दी अनुवाद) :
ब्रह्म ही सर्वोत्कृष्ट तत्त्व है; अतः निकृष्ट में उत्कृष्ट की भावना करना ही शास्त्रोक्त नियम है।
अतः उत्कर्ष के कारण सर्वत्र ब्रह्म-दृष्टि ही उपादेय और श्रेष्ठ है।

उत्कर्षाद्ब्रह्मत्वेनोच्यते, स हि सर्वोत्कृष्टः ॥
श्रीमद्बलदेवविद्याभूषणविरचितं भाष्यम् (तात्पर्यम्)
यथा सर्वव्यापक-परमात्मरूपेण स एव ज्ञायते, तथैव परब्रह्मरूपेणापि स एव भगवान् मन्तव्यः ।
तत् कस्य हेतोः? सूत्रं वदति — "उत्कर्षात्" (सर्वोत्कृष्टत्वात्) ।
अस्यार्थः — अनन्त-दिव्य-कल्याणगुणाश्रयत्वात् स एव सर्वोत्कृष्टः ।
बृहदारण्यकोपनिषदि (२.५.१९) उक्तम् —
अयमात्मा ब्रह्म सर्वानुभूः ॥
(अनुवाद: "अयमात्मा सर्वज्ञः परमात्मा, स एव च परं ब्रह्म सर्वानुभूतिकम् ।")
"अथ कस्मादुच्यते ब्रह्म" इत्यादिश्रुतिवचनेनापि एतदेव समर्थितम् ॥
अधिकरणम् ५
सूर्यस्रष्ट्रधिकरणम् (आदित्यस्रष्टा)
श्रीमद्बलदेवविद्याभूषणकृता अवतरणिका (भूमिका)
ऋग्वेदसंहितायाः पुरुषसूक्ते (१०.९०.१३) आम्नायते —
चन्द्रमा मनसो जातश्चक्षोः सूर्यो अजायत ।
श्रोत्राद्वायुश्च प्राणश्च मुखादग्निरजायत ॥
(अनुवाद: "तस्य भगवतो मनसः चन्द्रमा जातः, चक्षुषः सूर्यः समजायत,
श्रोत्राद् वायुश्च प्राणश्च प्रादुरासन्, तथा मुखाद् अग्निरजायत ।")
अत्र परमेश्वरस्य नेत्राद्यङ्गानि सूर्य-वाय्वादि-जगत्प्रपञ्चस्य कारणत्वेन वर्णितानि सन्ति ॥

Saṁśaya (doubt): Should they be thought of caused in this way or not?
Pūrvapakṣa (the opponent speaks): The Lord's eyes and the other parts of His
body are said to be soft and delicate like lotus flowers and other soft things. That is
why they cannot be the cause of things that are harsh, rough, and very powerful
(like the sun).
Siddhānta (conclusion): In the following words the author of the sūtras gives
His conclusion.
Sūtra 6
ādityādi-matayaś cāṅga upapatteḥ
āditya—the sun; ādi—beginning with; matayaḥ—conception; ca—and; aṅge—
in the limb; upapatteḥ—because of being reasonable.
Also, the idea of the sun and other things is in the limb, for that is reasonable.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
The word "ca" (also) is used here to begin the refutation of the opponent's
argument. This kind of meditation on Lord Viṣṇu's eyes and the other parts of His
body should be performed. Why is that? The sūtra explains, "upapatteḥ" (for that
is reasonable). This meditation is proper for it shows the Lord's greatness. It is by
the Lord's greatness that His eyes are the creator of the sun and the other parts of
His body are the creators of other great things. In this way it the scriptures prove
that the parts of the Lord's body are transcendental. They are not like anything in
the material world.
Adhikaraṇa 6
Asanas and Meditation
Introduction by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa

श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषदि (२.८) उच्यते—
त्रिरुन्नतं स्थाप्य समं शरीरं
हृदीन्द्रियाणि मनसा सन्निवेश्य।
ब्रह्मोडुपेन प्रतरेत विद्वान्
स्रोतांसि सर्वाणि भयावहानि॥
(अनुवाद: वक्षःस्थल, ग्रीवा तथा शिर—इन तीनों अंगों को उन्नत (सीधा) और शरीर को सम रखकर, मन के द्वारा समस्त इन्द्रियों को हृदय में निरुद्ध करके, ज्ञानी पुरुष ब्रह्मरूपी नौका द्वारा संसार के समस्त भयप्रद स्रोतों को पार कर जाए।)
संशयः—भगवद्ध्याने किम् अत्रोक्तम् आसननियमनं (योगासनम्) अनिवार्यम्, उतानिवार्यम्?
पूर्वपक्षः—ध्यानं तावन्मानसव्यापाररूपम्। अतः शरीरावस्थानियमस्यानिवार्यता नास्तीति।
सिद्धान्तः—एवं प्राप्ते सूत्रकारः स्वसिद्धान्तं प्रस्तौति—
सूत्रम् ७
आसीनः सम्भवात् ॥ ७ ॥
पदच्छेदः—आसीनः (उपविष्टः सन्), सम्भवात् (तथैव ध्यानस्य सम्भवात्)।
हिन्दी भावार्थ: बैठकर ही ध्यान करना चाहिए, क्योंकि बैठकर ही चित्तैकाग्रता सम्भव है।
श्रीलबलदेवविद्याभूषणविरचितं गोविन्दभाष्यम्—
आसीन एव कश्चिदासने स्थित्वा भगवन्तं ध्यायेत्। कुत एतत्? सूत्रमाह—"सम्भवात्" इति। शयानस्य, तिष्ठतो, गच्छतो वा जनस्य चित्तविक्षेपसम्भवेन ध्यानं न सम्भवति; उपविष्टस्यैव तु तदेकाग्रता सम्भवतीत्यर्थः। श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषदि (१.३) चोक्तम्—
ते ध्यानयोगानुगता अपश्यन्...

"Sitting in a yoga posture, and rapt in meditation, the sages gazed at the
Supreme Personality of Godhead."
In this way they who desire to meditate on the Lord are described. Therefore
one should adopt the āsana posture. Otherwise meditation is not possible.
Sūtra 8
dhyānāc ca
dhyānāt—because of meditation; ca—also.
Also because of meditation.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
Meditation is defined as thinking of one thing only and not thinking of
anything else. This kind of thinking is not possible when one is reclining or in any
posture but the yoga āsana. Therefore one should sit in the yoga āsana.
Sūtra 9
acalatvaṁ cāpekṣya
acalatvam—stillness; ca—and; apekṣya—in relation to.
Also because it is related to stillness.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
The word "ca" (also) is used here for emphasis. In the Chāndogya Upaniṣad the
word "dhyāna" (meditation) is used as a synonym of "stillness". There it is said
(Chāndogya Upaniṣad 7.6.1):
dhyāyatīva pṛthivī

"The earth is still, as if it were rapt in meditation."
This also hints that meditation should be performed when one is sitting in a
yoga āsana. Even in the mundane affairs of the world the word "dhyāna" is used in
this way, as in the sentence, "dhyāyati kāntaṁ proṣita-ramaṇī" (the girl is still, rapt
in meditation on her absent beloved).
Sūtra 10
smaranti ca
smaranti—the Smṛti-śāstra; ca—also.
The Smṛti-śāstra also.
Purport by Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
In Bhagavad-gītā (7.11-13), the Supreme Personality of Godhead explains:
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya
sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ
nāty-ucchritaṁ nāti-nīcaṁ
cailājina-kuśottaram
tatraikāgraṁ manaḥ kṛtvā
yata-cittendriya-kriyaḥ
upaviśyāsane yuñjyāt
yogam ātma-viśuddhaye
samaṁ kāya-śiro-grīvaṁ
dhārayann acalaṁ sthiraḥ
samprekṣya nāsikāgraṁ svaṁ
diśaś cānavalokayan
"To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kuśa grass
on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should
be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogī
should then sit on it very firmly and practice yoga to purify the heart by
controlling his mind, senses, and activities and fixing the mind on one point. One
should hold one's body, head, and neck erect in a straight line and stare steadily at

॥ पूर्वसूत्रशेषभाष्यम् ॥
"नासाग्रं सम्प्रेक्ष्य दिशश्चानवलोकयन्..." (भगवद्गीता ६।१३)
अनेन प्रकारेण स्मृतिशास्त्रेण स्पष्टीक्रियते यद् ध्यायता साधकेन शरीरम्, इन्द्रियाणि, मनश्च स्थिरीकर्तव्यम्।
योगासनमन्तरेण एतादृशी स्थिरता न सम्भवति। अतः ध्याने प्रवृत्तेन जनेन योगासनमवश्यमेवाश्रयणीयम्।
हिन्दी अनुवाद: इस प्रकार स्मृति-शास्त्र यह स्पष्ट करता है कि ध्यान करने वाले को अपने शरीर, इन्द्रियों और मन को स्थिर रखना चाहिए। योगासन अपनाए बिना ऐसी स्थिरता सम्भव नहीं है। अतः ध्यान में संलग्न साधक को योगासन स्वीकार करना चाहिए।
॥ अथ सप्तमम् एकाग्रताधिकरणम् ॥
(उपासनायां दिग्देशकालाद्यनियमाधिकरणम्)
॥ श्रील बलदेवविद्याभूषणविरचिता गोविन्दभाष्यावतरणिका ॥
विषयवाक्यम् (बृहदारण्यकोपनिषत् ४।५।६)—
"आत्मा वा अरे द्रष्टव्यः श्रोतव्यो मन्तव्यो निदिध्यासितव्यो मैत्रेय्यात्मनो वा अरे दर्शनेन श्रवणेन मत्या विज्ञानेनेदं सर्वं विदितम्॥"
संशयः: भगवदुपासने किं दिग्-देश-कालादीनां नियमा अनुष्ठेयाः, उत नेति?
पूर्वपक्षः: वैदिककर्मसु प्राङ्मुखत्वादयः नियमा दृश्यन्ते। भगवदुपासनस्यापि वेदविहितत्वात् तत्रापि एते नियमा भवेयुरिति प्राप्तम्।
सिद्धान्तः: एवं प्राप्ते, सूत्रकारः श्रीभगवान् बादरायणः स्वसिद्धान्तं प्रतिपादयति—
॥ ब्रह्मसूत्रम् ११ ॥
यत्रैकाग्रता तत्राविशेषात् ॥ ४।१।११ ॥
॥ पदच्छेदः ॥
यत्र — एकाग्रता — तत्र — अविशेषात् ॥
॥ पदार्थोक्तिः ॥
यत्र = यस्मिन् दिग्देशकालादौ,
एकाग्रता = चेतसः एकतानता (विक्षेपरहितता),
तत्र = तस्मिन्नेव दिग्देशकालादौ ध्यानमुपासनं कर्तव्यम्,
अविशेषात् = श्रुतौ तद्विशेषनियमस्याप्रतिपादनात्।
॥ सूत्रार्थः ॥
यत्र मनसः एकाग्रता सम्पद्यते, तत्रैव उपासीत, यतः श्रुतौ कस्मिंश्चिद् देशे काले वा नियमविशेषो नास्ति।
॥ श्रील बलदेवविद्याभूषणप्रणीतं गोविन्दभाष्यम् ॥
यस्मिन् दिग्भागे, देशे, काले वा मनसः सुखेन भगवदेकाग्रता सम्पद्यते, तत्रैव भगवदुपासनं कार्यम्।
कस्मात्? अविशेषात्। श्रुतौ स्मृतौ वा भगवदुपासने प्राच्यादिदिक्-विशिष्टदेश-विशिष्टकालादीनाम् अविशेषितत्वात्।
कर्मकाण्डे तु प्राङ्मुखत्वादि-नियमश्रवणात् तदपेक्षा विद्यते, किन्तु उपासनायाम् एकाग्रतैव मुख्यं प्रयोजनम्।
अत एव यत्रैकाग्रता लभ्यते, तदेव स्थानं प्रशस्तम्।
॥ सम्बद्धश्रुतिप्रमाणम् (श्वेताश्वतरोपनिषत् २।१०) ॥
"समे शुचौ शर्करावह्निसैकतविवर्जिते शब्दजलाश्रयादिभिः।
मनोऽनुकूले न तु चक्षुपीडने गुहानिवाताश्रयणे प्रयोजयेत्॥"
॥ हिन्दी अनुवाद ॥
जहाँ मन की एकाग्रता सिद्ध हो, वहीं ध्यान करना चाहिए; क्योंकि शास्त्रों में उपासना के लिए किसी विशेष दिशा, स्थान अथवा काल का कोई अनिवार्य नियम नहीं दिया गया है।
वैदिक कर्मकाण्डों में तो पूर्व दिशा की ओर मुख करने आदि के नियम होते हैं, परन्तु ध्यान में मुख्य अङ्ग मन की एकाग्रता ही है।
अतः जिस दिशा, स्थान अथवा समय में चित्त निर्विक्षेप होकर एकाग्र हो सके, वही देश, काल और दिशा ध्यान के लिए उपयुक्त है।

This sūtra means, "In whatever direction, place, or time (yatra) there is single-
pointed concentration (ekāgratā) of the mind, in that (tatra) direction, place, or
time one should worship Lord Hari". The meaning here is that in the worship of
the Lord there is no restriction of direction, place, or time. Why is that? The sūtra
explains, "aviśeṣāt" (because there is nothing specific). This means, "because the
scriptures give no specific instruction in this matter". In the Varāha Purāṇa it is
said:
tam eva deśaṁ seveta
taṁ kālaṁ tām avasthitim
tān eva bhogān seveta
mano yatra prasīdati
na hi deśādibhiḥ kaścid
viśeṣaḥ samudīritaḥ
manaḥ-prasādanārthaṁ hi
deśa-kālādi-cintanam
"One should seek a place, time, situation, and sensory environment where the
mind becomes peaceful and cheerful. Other than that there is no specific
instruction about place or environment. Place, time, situation, and sensory
environment should be chosen to facilitate a peaceful and cheerful mind."
Here someone may object: Is it not so that there are actually rules regarding the
place of worship? For example, in the Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad (2.10) it is said:
same śucau śarkara-vahni-vāluka-
vivarjite śabda-jalāśrayādibhiḥ
mano-'nukūle na tu cakṣu-pīḍane
guhā-nivātāśrayaṇe niyojayet
"One should practice yoga is a solitary place with level ground free from
pebbles and stones, free from winds, clean and pure, pleasing to the mind, not
unpleasing to the eyes, secluded, and far from noisy bathing places."
Also, one should meditate in a holy place, for holy places bring liberation.
If this is said, then I reply: Yes. It is true. Still, there may be an unfortunate
situation where one is not able to take shelter of a holy place, although of course,
if there is no such misfortune, one should stay in a holy place and worship the
Lord there. Still, the final conclusion is given here in the words "mano-'nukūle"
(one should find a place that is pleasing to the mind).