वेदान्त पारिजात सौरभ (भगवद् निम्बार्काचार्य - द्वैताद्वैत वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र भाष्य सटीक)

[SŪ 1. 3. 36.
ADH. 9] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 201
thus. 'He invested him, forsooth, with the holy thread' (Śat. Br.
11 5 3 13 ¹) and so on, "and on account of the declaration of their
absence" thus: 'A Śūdra, belongs to the fourth caste and is once-
born (G.D.S. 10 50 ²), 'And he is not fit for a purificatory rite
(Manu 10 126 ³),—a Śūdra is not entitled to knowledge.
Vedānta-kaustubha
In the previous aphorism, the disqualification of a Śūdra for the
knowledge of Brahman has been established on the ground of reason
Now, his disqualification is being proved on the ground of Scripture,
etc. as well.
A Śūdra is not entitled to knowledge. Why? "On account of
the reference to purificatory rites," i.e. on account of the reference to
the purificatory rites of investiture with the holy thread in sections
concerned with knowledge, thus 'He invested him, forsooth, with the
holy thread' (Śat. Br 11 5 3.13). But, then, is it to be supposed
that a Śūdra, too, is entitled to investiture? To this it is replied
"On account of the declaration of their absence", i.e on account of
the depiction of the absence, in the case of a Śūdra, of purificatory
rites like investiture with the holy thread and the rest, in the passages :
'In a Śūdra there is no sin and he is not fit for a purificatory rite'
(Manu. 10.126). 'A Śūdra belongs to the fourth caste and is once-
born' (G.D S. 10.50) and so on The investiture with the holy
thread is designated in the case of others in the passage: 'Let one
invest a Brāhmaṇa with the holy thread at the age of eight, a Kṣatriya
at eleven, and a Vaiśya at twelve' (Āś. GS. 17.1 3-4 ⁴)
Hence, the reference to investiture with the holy thread fits in
in the sections concerned with knowledge.

¹ P 861, line 19. ² P. 14, line 8.
Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B. Ś, R, Bh, Śk.
³ P. 419. ⁴ P. 72.
Ś, R, Bh, Śk.

|SŪ. 1. 3. 37
202 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH 9.|
SŪTRA 37
"AND BECAUSE OF (GAUTAMA'S) PROCEEDING (TO INITIATE JĀBĀLA)
ON THE ASCERTAINMENT OF THE ABSENCE OF THAT (VIZ HIS
ŚŪDRAHOOD), (A ŚŪDRA IS NOT ENTITLED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
BRAHMAN)."
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
Moreover, "because of" Gautama's "proceeding" to invest
Jābāla with the holy thread and to teach him, only "on the ascer-
tainment of the absence" of his Śūdrahood,—here, too, a Śūdra is
not indeed entitled to the knowledge of Brahman.
Vedānta-kaustubha
For this reason too, says the author, a Śūdra is not entitled to the
knowledge of Brahman
Fatherless Jābāla, desirous of salvation, and about to approach
a preceptor, asked his mother with a view to learning his lineage.
'Of what lineage am I?' She too, unaware of his lineage, replied:
'I do not know'. Jābāla too, having approached Gautama, said:
'Reverend Sir! I wish to stay in your place as a student of sacred know-
ledge' Then, being asked by him: 'Of what lineage are you?'
Jābāla said: 'Sir, I do not know of what lineage I am,' and so on.
Thus, when Jābāla had spoken the truth, and when, thereby, the
absence of Jābāla's Śūdrahood had been ascertained thus: '"A non-
Brāhmaṇa cannot speak thus"' (Chānd 4.4.5 ¹), then only Gautama
proceeded to invest Jābāla with the holy thread and teach him with
the words: '"Fetch the fuel, my child. I shall invest you with
the holy thread. You have not deviated from truth"' (Chānd.
4 4.5 ²). Hence, a Śūdra is not entitled to knowledge.
1 Correct quotation—' . . vivaktum arhati' Vide Chānd. 4.4.5,
p. 196.
2 Vide Chānd. 4.4 for the whole story.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 38.
ADH. 9.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 203
SŪTRA 38
“ON ACCOUNT OF THE PROHIBITION OF HEARING, STUDYING, AND
(LEARNING) THE MEANING (OF THE VEDA), (A ŚŪDRA IS NOT
ENTITLED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF BRAHMAN).”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
A Śūdra is not entitled to the knowledge of Brahman, “on account
of the prohibition of the hearing” and so on of the Veda on his part,
in the text ‘One should not study (the Veda) in the vicinity of a
Śūdra’ (V.Sm 18.9 ¹) and so on.
Vedānta-kaustubha
For this reason, too, a Śūdra is not entitled to the knowledge of
Brahman. For what reason? “On account of the prohibition of
hearing” and the rest on the part of a Śūdra, in the passage ‘A
cemetery, endowed with feet, is, verily, a Śūdra ² Hence one should
not study (the Veda) in the vicinity of a Śūdra’ (V Sm 18.9), ‘Hence
a Śūdra is a beast,³ not fit for sacrifices’ and on so. The sense (of
the first passage) is. A ‘cemetery’ that is ‘endowed with feet’, i.e.
capable of moving, ‘is a Śūdra’, in whose presence one should not
even study the Vedas. The sense is that the hearing of the Veda,
the study of it, the performance of the religious duties mentioned
therein, are prohibited, all the more, to a Śūdra.
COMPARISON
Śaṁkara, Bhāskara and Baladeva
They treat this sūtra and the next as one sūtra ⁴

¹ P 216, line 20. Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B.
² Reading slightly differs, viz. ‘Eka vai tac-chmaśānaṁ . . .’ (p. 216).
³ ‘Bahu-paśuḥ paśu sadṛśa iti arthaḥ.’ Śrī. B. 1.3.38, p. 339, Part I.
⁴ Ś B. 1 3 38, p. 376; Bh. B. 1 3.38, p. 68; G B. 1.3 38

204 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA [sū. 1. 3. 39-40.
ADH. 6 resumed ]
SŪTRA 39
“AND ON ACCOUNT OF SMṚTI.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
“And on account of the Smṛti”, viz. ‘One should not teach him
sacred duties’ (Manu 4.80b ¹, V.Sm. 18 12 ²).
Vedānta-kaustubha
“And on account of the Smṛti”, viz ‘One should not teach him
sacred duties, nor sacred vows’ (Manu 4 80b, V.Sm 18 12), ‘One
should not impart knowledge to a śūdra’ (Manu 4.80a; V Sm. 18.12)
and so on.
Here ends the section entitled ‘The exclusion of Śūdras’ (9).
Adhikarana 6 resumed. The section entitled
‘What is measured’ resumed. (Sūtras 40 - 41)
SŪTRA 40
“ON ACCOUNT OF THE SHAKING.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
What is measured, is to be known as the Supreme Person, He
being the shaker of the entire universe, and because the words ‘great’
and the rest are found used.
Vedānta-kaustubha
After having completed the incidental discussion about qualifica-
tion (adhikāra) in connection with the discussion about the Person,
measured as the size of merely a thumb, begun in the aphorism ‘On
account of the text only, what is measured (is the Lord)’ (Br. Sū.
1.3.24), the author is finishing the original discussion.
¹ P 146.
² P. 217, line 1.
R.

[SŪ. 1 3. 41]
ADH. 6 resumed.] VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA 205
The words ‘what is measured’ are to be supplied. In the Kaṭha-
vallī, we find the following in the section of the Person, of the size of
merely a thumb ‘Whatever there is, the whole world, emanated
(from the vital-breath), trembles in the vital-breath alone, the great
fear, a thunderbolt about to be hurled. Those who know that become
immortal’ (Kaṭha 6. 2). Here, what is measured as of the size of a
thumb and is denoted by the term ‘vital-breath’ is none but the
Supreme Being. Why? For the following reasons: First, “on
account of the shaking”, i. e. the Lord alone is the cause of the shaking
of the entire universe, emanated from Himself. Secondly, the term
‘great’, which is a synonym for Brahman, has been used. Thirdly,
the term ‘fear’ proves that the vital-breath is Brahman, for He alone
is the cause of the fear of all, as declared by the text: ‘Through fear
of him the fire burns, through fear the sun shines, through fear Indra,
Wind and Death, the fifth, speed on’ (Kaṭha 6. 3), and finally, the
Lord alone is the cause of the immortality of one who possesses know-
ledge of Him.
COMPARISON
Śaṃkara, Bhāskara and Śrīkaṇṭha
Interpretation different, viz. they take this sūtra as forming a
new adhikaraṇa by itself, concerned with the question whether the
term ‘prāṇa’ in Kaṭha-upaniṣad (6.2) denotes Brahman or not. But
according to Nimbārka, this sūtra does not begin a new adhikaraṇa,
but only resumes adhikaraṇa 6.
Baladeva
Interpretation different, viz he also begins a new adhikaraṇa
here, concerned with the question whether the term ‘vajra’ in Kaṭha-
upaniṣad (6. 2) denotes Brahman or not.
SŪTRA 41
“BECAUSE OF PERCEIVING LIGHT.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
Because in the text: ‘Through his light’ (Kaṭha 5.15¹), ‘light’
is mentioned, the measured Person is the Supreme Being.
¹ R, B.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 42.
206 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 10.]
Vedānta-kaustubha
In the very same Kaṭha-vallī, in the section of the Person measured
as of the size of a thumb, it is declared, prior to the text about the
vital-breath, (viz. Kaṭha 6. 2) 'The sun does not shine there, nor the
moon and the stars, nor do these lightnings shine, much less this fire.
He shining, everything else shines after him. All this shines through
his light' (Kaṭha 6.2). "Because" in this text, light, belonging
exclusively to the Supreme Soul who is denoted by the term 'light',
"is seen" (i.e. declared), it is established that what is of the size
of merely a thumb is none but the Supreme Soul.
Here ends the section entitled 'What is measured' (6).
COMPARISON
Śaṁkara, Bhāskara and Śrīkaṇṭha
Interpretation different, viz. they take this sūtra as forming a
new adhikaraṇa by itself, concerned with the question whether the
term 'light' in the Chāndogyopaniṣad (8. 12.6) denotes Brahman or
not.¹
Baladeva
Interpretation different, viz. '(The word "vajra" in the Kaṭho-
paniṣad must mean the Lord), because it is seen (that in a preceding
passage He is called) light'.²
Adhikaraṇa 10: The section entitled 'Some-
thing different'. (Sūtras 42–44)
SŪTRA 42
"THE ETHER (IS BRAHMAN), ON ACCOUNT OF THE DESIGNATION
(OF IT) AS SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND SO ON."
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
In the passage: 'The ether, verily, is the producer of name and
form' (Chānd. 8.14. 1³), the object denoted by the term 'ether' is the
¹ S.B. 1.3.40, pp. 380 et seq., Bh. B. 1.3.40, p. 69; SK. B. 1.3. 41, pp. 498
et seq. Part 5.
² G.B. 1.3.40. ³ Ś, R, Bh, Śk, B

[SŪ 1. 3 42.
ADH. 10.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 207
Highest Person. Why? "On account of the designation" of the
Supreme Soul "as something different" from even the freed souls,—
He being the producer of all objects possessing names and forms
implied by the term 'name and form',—as well as on account of the
designation of Brahmanhood, immortality and the rest on its part.
Vedānta-kaustubha
Thus, by means of the aphorism: 'On account of the text only,
what is measured (is the Lord)' (Br Sū 1 3 24), the text regarding
the Person of the size of merely a thumb has been shown to be referring
to Brahman, and this has been confirmed once more immediately
after the end of the incidental sections. Now, with a view to desig-
nating the non-attachment and the omnipresence of the Supreme
Self, it is being shown that the text about the ether, too, refers to
Him.
In the Chāndogya, we read: 'The ether, verily, is the producer
of name and form. That within which they are is Brahman, that is
immortal, that is the soul' (Chānd. 8.14.1). Here a doubt arises,
viz. whether by the term 'ether' the elemental ether is to be under-
stood here, or the soul freed from the bondage of mundane existence,
or the Supreme Soul. If it be said that the elemental ether is to be
understood, since the term 'ether' is well-known to denote that
alone,—(we reply:) no, on account of the term 'soul'. What then
should be understood? If it be suggested: the freed soul, Why?
For the following reasons: First, the freed soul alone has been men-
tioned previously as the topic of discussion, in the passage: 'Shaking
off (evils) as a horse shakes off his hairs' (Chānd. 8.13.1),—the phrase:
'That within which they are' means: That soul, freed from mundane
existence, from which 'they', i.e. name and form 'are different'
(antara), i.e. outside. Further, the discarding of the well-known name
and form is possible on the part of the soul in its state of release, as
declared by the passage: 'Just as the flowing rivers, discarding name
and form' (Muṇḍ. 3.2.8). And, finally, the term 'ether', too, is
appropriate with regard to the freed soul, it being possessed of fully
manifest knowledge. The phrase: 'That is Brahman, that is immortal'
denotes the state of salvation.
(Author's conclusion.)
We reply: The meaning of the term 'ether' here can fittingly
be the Supreme Soul alone. Why? "On account of the designation

[SŪ. 1. 3. 43.
208 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 10.]
(of it) as something different", i. e. on account of the designation of
the object denoted by the term 'ether',—which is untouched by name
and form, as evident from the phrase 'That within which they are',
and is the producer of name and form, as evident from the phrase
'The producer of name and form',—as different from the object which
is devoid of the power of being a producer, since during its state of
bondage, the soul, partaking of name and form as subject to karmas,
is not itself capable of producing, i e. revealing, name and form,—
to do so being all the more impossible on its part during its state of
release. That the activities in connection with (the creation and the
rest) of the Universe, are impossible on its part, will be expressly stated
later on ¹. On the other hand, that the Supreme Soul, an adept in
the creation of the entire Universe, is such a producer, is well-estab-
lished by Scripture itself, thus: '"Having entered with this living
soul, let me evolve name and form"' (Chānd. 6 3 2), 'From him
arose—² this name, form and food' (Muṇḍ. 1.1 9) 'The Wise One,
who abides conceiving all forms, giving names, and declaring (them)'
(Tait. Ār. 3.12.7 ³) The 'ether' is Brahman also on account of the
designation, in the text, of the exclusive qualities of the Lord, such
as, being eternally manifest, greatness, immortality and the rest,
implied by the term "and so on" (in the sūtra). Nor has the freed
soul been mentioned before as the topic of discussion, the Supreme
Soul alone being the topic, as evident from the passage: 'I attain
the world of Brahman' (Chānd. 8.13 1), and the term 'ether', too,
being well-known to denote the Supreme Soul alone, it being all-
pervasive and non-attached.
SŪTRA 43
"(AND ON ACCOUNT OF THE DESIGNATION OF BRAHMAN) AS
DIFFERENT (FROM THE INDIVIDUAL SOUL) IN DEEP SLEEP AND
DEPARTURE."
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
And on account of the designation of the omniscient "as different"
from the non-knower "in deep sleep and departing".
¹ Vide Br. Sū. 4.4 17.
² Correct quotation: 'Tasmād etat Brahma . . . '. Vide Muṇḍ. 1.1.9,
p. 10.
³ P. 199.

[sū. 1. 3. 43.
ADH. 10.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 209
Vedānta-kaustubha
If it be objected: Since it is found from a consideration of the
meaning of the text 'Thou art that' (Chānd. 6.8 7, etc.¹) that there
cannot possibly be anything different from Brahman, how can it be
said. "On account of the designation (of Brahman) as something
different and so on"? (Br. Sū. 1.3.42)—
(We reply)· True In spite of there being non-difference between
the individual soul, which is a part of Brahman, and Brahman, owing
to the fact that the individual soul has no existence, activity and the
rest apart from Brahman,—its difference from Him, too, is inevitable,
possessing as it does its own peculiar qualities,—so says the reverend
author of the aphorisms.
The words "on account of the designation" are to be supplied.
(The individual soul and Brahman are different from each other,)
on account of the designation of the Supreme Soul, the omniscient,
as "different" from the individual soul, the non-knower, "in deep
sleep", in the passage : 'Embraced by the Intelligent Soul, he does
not know anything external, nor anything internal' (Bṛh. 4.3.21),
and "in departure", in the passage 'Mounted by the Intelligent
Soul, it goes groaning' (Bṛh. 4.3.35). 'Mounted' means superin-
tended, 'groaning' means making frightful sounds, or sounds of
hiccough. It is not possible that the non-knowing soul, sleeping or
departing, can at the same time, becoming intelligent, embrace or
mount itself, or that another individual soul can do so, omniscience
being impossible on the latter's part as well.
COMPARISON
Śaṃkara and Bhāskara
Interpretation different, viz. according to them, this adhikaraṇa
is concerned with the question whether the Bṛhadāraṇyaka text
4.3.7 refers to the Supreme Soul, or not.²
¹ Also occurs in Chānd. 6.9.4, 6.10.3, 6.11.3, 6.12.3, 6.13.3, 6.14.3, 6.15.3,
6.16.3.
² Ś.B. 1.3.42, pp. 382; Bh B 1.3.42, p. 70.

[SŪ. 1. 3. 44.
210 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 10.]
SŪTRA 44
“ON ACCOUNT OF WORDS LIKE ‘LORD’ AND THE REST.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
On account of the designation of the Supreme Soul as different
from the individual soul by the texts: ‘The Lord of all’ (Bṛh. 4.4.22,
5.6.1 ¹), ‘The ruler of all’ (Bṛh. 4.4.22 ²), it is established that He
alone is the ether.
Here ends the third section of the first chapter in the Vedānta-
pārijāta-saurabha, an interpretation of the Śārīraka-mīmāṁsā-
texts composed by the reverend Nimbārka.
Vedānta-kaustubha
The author dwells on the difference between the individual soul
and Brahman.
There is indeed a difference between the individual soul and the
Supreme Soul. Why? “On account of words like ‘lord’ and the
rest”, i.e. on account of texts like: ‘The Lord of all’ (Bṛh. 4.4.22,
5.6.1), ‘The controller of all’ (Bṛh. 4.4.22), ‘The ruler of all’
(Bṛh. 4.4.22), ‘He rules all this’ (Bṛh. 5 6 1), ‘He is the Lord of
all’ (Bṛh. 4 4 22) and so on
Though already shown above, we shall speak of this difference-
non-difference in detail later on ³. Hence, it is established that on
account of the designation of the Lord as something different and so
on, the meaning of the term ‘ether’ is none but the Supreme Lord.
Here ends the section entitled ‘Something different’ (10).
Here ends the third section of the first chapter in the Vedānta-
kaustubha, a commentary on the Śārīraka-mīmāṁsā, and
composed by the reverend teacher Śrīnivāsa.
¹ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B.
² Op. cit.
³ Vide e.g. V.K. 1 4.9, 1.4 20, 1 4 21, 2.1 13, 2 1.21, etc.

[sū. 1. 3. 44.
ADH. 10.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 211
COMPARISON
Śaṃkara and Bhāskara
Interpretation different, viz. the same topic continued.¹
Résumé
The third section of the first chapter contains:
(1) 44 sūtras and 10 adhikaraṇas, according to Nimbārka.
(2) 43 sūtras and 13 adhikaraṇas, according to Śaṃkara
(3) 44 sūtras and 10 adhikaraṇas, according to Rāmānuja.
(4) 43 sūtras and 13 adhikaraṇas, according to Bhāskara.
(5) 44 sūtras and 11 adhikaraṇas, according to Śrīkaṇṭha.
(6) 43 sūtras and 10 adhikaraṇas, according to Baladeva.
Śaṃkara, Bhāskara and Baladeva read the sūtras 38 and 39 in
Nimbārka's commentary as one sūtra.
Rāmānuja and Śrīkaṇṭha read the sūtras 2 and 3 in Nimbārka's
commentary as one sūtra, while breaking the sūtra 35 in the same
as two different sūtras.
¹ Ś.B 1.3.43, p 385; Bh. B. 1.3.43, p. 70

FIRST CHAPTER (Adhyāya)
FOURTH QUARTER (Pāda)
Adhikarana 1 The section entitled 'What is
derived from inference'. (Sūtras 1–7)
SŪTRA 1
“IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT WHAT IS DERIVED FROM INFERENCE
(VIZ. PRADHĀNA), TOO, (IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS) OF SOME
(BRANCHES), (WE REPLY:) NO, BECAUSE OF UNDERSTANDING
WHAT IS PUT DOWN IN THE SIMILE OF THE BODY, AND (THE TEXT)
SHOWS (THIS).”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
If it be objected that in a text of the Kaṭha-branch, viz. ‘Higher
than the great (mahat) is the unmanifest (avyakta), higher than the
unmanifest is the Person (puruṣa)’ (Kaṭha 3.11 ¹), “What is derived
from inference” ², i.e. pradhāna, “too”, is found mentioned,³—
(We reply :) “No”, because in accordance with the text: ‘Know
the soul to be the lord of the chariot and the body to be the chariot’
(Kaṭha 3.3 ⁴), the body, which is put down in the simile of the chariot,
is understood by the term ‘unmanifest’. “And” having demon-
strated the mode of subduing the sense-organs, the text “shows”,
in the concluding portion ⁵, that what had been previously contrived
through the simile ⁶ (viz. the body), is understood here, thus: ‘A
wise man should restrain speech in the mind, that he should restrain
in the intelligent soul, the intelligent soul in the great (mahat), that
he should restrain in the tranquil soul’ (Kaṭha 3.13 ⁷)
¹ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B.
² For, why pradhāna is called ‘ānumānika’, see footnote 1, p 42.
³ Cf. Br. Sū. 1.1.5, which contends that pradhāna is ‘aśabda’ or not
mentioned in Scripture.
⁴ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B.
⁵ C.S S. ed. reads ‘vākya-śeṣaḥ’ (p. 19).
⁶ ‘Rūpaka-parikalpitaṁ grahaṇam’ is evidently a misprint. All other
editions read ‘rūpaka-parikalpita-grahaṇam’, meaning ‘rūpaka-parikalpitasya
grahaṇam’. Vide e.g C.S S. ed (p. 19).
⁷ Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B.

[SŪ. 1. 4. 1
ADH. 1.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 213
Vedānta-kaustubha
In this manner, it has been shown above, under three sections,
that the scriptural texts all refer to Brahman, possessing the sentient
and the non-sentient as His powers, an ocean of natural, infinite and
inconceivable auspicious qualities, untouched by any material qualities
and the cause of the world. Now again, in the fourth section, by
showing ¹ that those texts too which apparently seem to establish
pradhāna—which is demonstrated by the doctrine of Kapila and is
independent of Brahman,—all refer really to Brahman, and by estab-
lishing ² that pradhāna is acceptable only as dependent on Brahman,
—the reverend author of the aphorisms is removing the false belief,
viz. that certain words like 'Unmanifest' and the rest, which denote
pradhāna, being mentioned in Scripture, pradhāna, admitted by the
Sāṁkhyas, is neither non-scriptural, nor derived from inference merely.
In the Kaṭha-valli, we find the following: 'Higher than the great
(mahat) is the unmanifest (avyakta), higher than the unmanifest
is the Person (puruṣa)' (Kaṭha 3.11). Here, a doubt arises, viz.
whether the object denoted by the word 'unmanifest' is pradhāna,
admitted by the Sāṁkhyas, or the body. The prima facie view is as
follows: Let it be pradhāna, because here we recognize the very same
order, beginning with the great (mahat) and ending with the Person
(puruṣa), which is well-known in the Kapila-smṛti. If it be objected:
The concordance of the entire Veda with regard to Brahman, the cause
of the world, has been established duly; hence it is not possible to
establish its connection with anything else, (the reply is:) Very well,
let then pradhāna, "derived from inference", (mentioned in the
texts) "of some" schools, be the cause of the world. So here in the
school of the Kāṭhakas pradhāna is understood by the term 'un-
manifest'. (Here ends the original prima facie view.)
(Author's conclusion:) "No". Wherefore? "Because of under-
standing what is put down in the simile of the body", i.e. because
by the term 'unmanifest' in this text, the body, mentioned in the
preceding text and put down as a simile, is to be understood. A
simile means the imagination of one object as another on the ground
of a certain similarity. Thus, compare the passages: 'Know the soul
to be the lord of the chariot, the body to be the chariot, know intellect

¹ Here the śatṛ-suffix implies reason.
² See footnote 1, above.

[SŪ. 1. 4. 1.
214 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 1.]
to be the charioteer, and the mind to be the reins. The sense-organs,
they say, are the horses, the objects of the senses their roads; the self,
connected with the sense-organs and the mind, is the enjoyer, so the
wise say. He who is devoid of understanding and ever inattentive,
his sense-organs are uncontrollable, like the wicked horses of a cha-
rioteer. But he who is possessed of intelligence and ever attentive,
his sense-organs are controllable, like the good horses of a charioteer
He, however, who is devoid of understanding, is inattentive and ever
impure, does not attain that place, and attains mundane existence
But he who is possessed of understanding, is attentive and ever pure,
attains that place whence he is not born again. A man, however, who
has understanding as his charioteer and the mind as his reins, attains
the end of the road, that supreme place of Viṣṇu’ (Kaṭha 3.3; 3 9).
In these passages, a man—who is desirous of the place of Viṣṇu, the
end of the road of transmigratory existence, and who being the enjoyer
is the principal agent—is first metaphorically represented as the lord
of a chariot, his body,—which is subordinate to him as the abode of
his enjoyment,—as the chariot, and the sense-organs, intellect and
the rest, as the charioteer and the rest, as far as possible,—which
shows that just as it is possible for a potter to be the creator of pots, etc.
only when he is connected with the wheel, the stick and the rest, so
the attributes of the soul, viz. ‘being an agent’, ‘being an enjoyer’
and the rest, are found to belong to it, only when it is connected with
the body, the sense-organs, etc. and not when it is devoid of attributes,
since it is impossible for it then to be the realizing agent,—one who
is approaching a goal. After that, the qualities of a sentient being,
like: ‘being an agent’, ‘being a realizing agent who is approaching
towards a goal’ and so on, implied by its quality of ‘being an enjoyer’
are stated. Immediately after, the liability of a non-knower, whose
sense-organs are unrestrained, to transmigratory existence, and the
fitness of a knower, whose sense-organs are restrained, for the place
of Viṣṇu are designated; and then the place of Viṣṇu is pointed out
as the object to be reached. Immediately after this, Scripture goes
on to declare those objects which have superiority to others, in so
far as these latter are to be controlled, in the passage: ‘Higher than
the sense-organs are the objects of senses, higher than the objects is the
mind, higher than the mind is intellect, higher than intellect is the
great soul. Higher than the great (mahat) is the unmanifest (avyakta),
higher than the unmanifest is the Person (puruṣa), nothing is higher

[Sū. 1. 4. 1.
ADH. 1.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 215
than the Person, He is the goal, the highest course ’ (Kaṭha 3.10 ;
3 11). Here, the objects, designated before as the lord of the chariot
and the rest, are mentioned irrespective of the simile ¹ for the sake
of making the intended meaning clear ² And the soul and the rest,
metaphorically represented as the lord of the chariot and so on, are
here referred to by those very terms (‘soul’ and so on) respectively;
and the body, metaphorically represented as the chariot, being left
over, is denoted by the term ‘unmanifest’ ³. Thus, the objects of
senses, metaphorically represented as the roads, are ‘higher than’,
i. e. superior to, the sense-organs, metaphorically represented as the
horses, in so far as these latter are to be controlled, since when in
proximity to objects of senses, the sense-organs of even a self-controlled
man are found to incline to them once more. Higher than those even
is the mind, metaphorically represented as the reins, since the proximity
to objects of sense too is of little avail if the mind be not inclined to
them. Higher than that even is intellect, metaphorically represented
as the charioteer, since the mind, too, is of little avail in the absence
of apprehension Higher than that even is the soul, metaphorically
represented as the lord of the chariot, because of its superiority as
an agent. Since all these depend upon its will, it alone is specified
as the ‘great’. Higher than that even is the body, metaphorically
represented as the chariot, since all the activities of the individual
soul in connection with all the means to salvation depend on the
body. Higher than that even is the Person, the soul of all and the
end of the road of transmigratory existence, since everything else,
mentioned previously, are under His control. When He is won by

¹ A krama is a kind of simile in which the comparisons exhibited correspond
to each other in regular succession. M. W., p. 319, Col. 2.
² That is, in order that the intended meaning may be clearly conveyed to
the reader, the metaphorical way of representation, resorted to above, is given
up here, and the actual objects, the sense-organs and the rest, are directly and
plainly stated.
³ The argument is as follows : In Kaṭha 3.3–3.9 the soul, the body and the
rest, are successively compared to the lord of a chariot, a chariot and so on,
while in Kaṭha 3 10–3 11 the same objects, viz. the soul and so on, are mentioned
once more, not metaphorically, but directly and plainly. Now in these latter
verses, the soul, etc. are denoted by those very words, only there is no actual
mention of the body. Hence, when everything else fits in, the body, the only
remaining one on this side, must be denoted by the term ‘unmanifest’, the only
remaining one on that side

[SŪ. 1. 4 1.
216 VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA ADH. 1.]
means of meditation, as directed, all the ends of a man are accomplished,
as declared by the passage: ‘Whatever verily, be the means resorted
to for the sake of the four ends of a man, a man, who has taken refuge
in Nārāyaṇa, attains them without it’. Hence, here the mahat, an
effect of pradhāna, is not understood by the term ‘great’; nor pradhāna,
its cause, by the term ‘unmanifest’, nor puruṣa, admitted by the
Sāṁkhyas, the twenty-fifth principle in contrast to the twenty-four
material ones, by the term ‘Person’ The entire Veda is in con-
cordance with regard to this very Person, the object which one should
desire to enquire into, and an ocean of infinite, auspicious attributes,
there being nothing higher than Him, in accordance with the scrip-
tural text: ‘There is nothing higher than the Person’ (Kaṭha 3.11),
the Smṛti passage. ‘There is nothing else higher than me, O Dhanañ-
jaya’ (Gītā 7.7). The Person alone is the object to be attained, in
accordance with the scriptural text: ‘That is the goal, that is the
highest course’ (Kaṭha 3.11), as well as with the declaration by the
interpreter of the texts (viz. Nimbārka): ‘There is no other goal except
the lotus-feet of Kṛṣṇa’ (D.Ś. 8a).
Having shown that the Supreme Person is difficult to be attained
by one who is not self-controlled, while easy to be attained by one
who is self-controlled, and having shown the mode of subduing the
sense-organs, the text “shows”, in the concluding portion, that what
had appeared previously in the simile is understood here, (and not the
Sāṁkhya pradhāna), thus. ‘This soul, hidden in all beings, is not
manifest, but is perceived by subtle seers through highest, subtle
intellect. A wise man should restrain speech in the mind, that he
should restrain in the intelligent soul, the intelligent soul in the great,
that he should restrain in the tranquil soul’ (Kaṭha 3 12-3.13).
(The text means:) ‘This’, i.e. Vāsudeva,—omniscient, to be approached
by the freed souls, and without an equal or a superior, as stated in the
text: ‘There is nothing higher than the Person, that is the goal, that
is the highest course’ (Kaṭha 3 11),—though present in all beings,
‘is not manifest’, i.e. is not perceived by all, since they are not entitled
to perceive Him. For this very reason, He is ‘hidden’,—the com-
pound (viz. ‘gūṛdho’ tmā’) is in accordance with Vedic use,—as
declared by the Lord Himself: ‘“I am not manifest to all”’ (Gītā
7.25). If one is entitled to perceive the Lord, then alone He comes
to be perceived; hence it is said ‘is perceived’ and so on. All the
sense-organs, implied by the term ‘speech’, should be restrained in the

[SŪ 1. 4. 2.
ADH. 1.] VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 217
mind,—the long vowel (ī in 'manasī') is in accordance with Vedic use ;
the mind in the intelligent soul, i e in intellect, since 'being intelligent'
and 'being the soul' are possible on the part of intellect, owing to its
connection with the individual soul, intelligence in the great soul,
i e. in the individual soul; and that in the tranquil, i.e. in Brahman,
the Universal Cause. The sense is that if in the previous case (viz.
Katha 3.11), because of understanding ¹ the principle 'mahat' by
the term 'great', we understand its cause,—viz. pradhāna which is
derived from inference,—by the term 'unmanifest' on the ground of
its immediate proximity to it, then, here, too, that may be understood
by the term 'great', and hence (the injunction :) 'One should restrain
the great in the tranquil' should lead to undesired conclusions ².
Hence the concluding text, too, shows that what had previously
appeared in the simile of the body is understood here
SŪTRA 2
"BUT THE SUBTLE (BODY IS DENOTED BY THE TERM 'UNMANIFEST')
BECAUSE OF ITS FITNESS (TO BE DENOTED SO)"
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
If it be said that the word "unmanifest" denotes something
subtle,—(we reply it may denote the body too,) since the body too,
the meaning (of the term "unmanifest"), is a grosser state of something
subtle indeed.
Vedānta-kaustubha
If it be objected : Although the subtle body is fit to be denoted
by the term "unmanifest" since in the simile of the chariot the parts
of the subtle body (viz. the sense-organs, the mind, etc.) ³ are under-
stood as the parts of the chariot (viz. the horses, the reins, etc.), yet
it cannot be said to be the chariot, On the contrary, it is the gross
body which has been put down as the chariot. But how can it be
understood by the term "unmanifest", it being something manifest ?
¹ Here the śatṛ-suffix implies reason.
² That is, in that case the mahat would be dependent on Brahman, a conclu-
sion which is contrary to the Sāṁkhya view itself.
³ The constituents of the subtle body are the five tan-mātras, the ten sense-
organs, the mind, and the vital-breath. Vide V.R.M.P. 30.

218 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA [SŪ. 1. 4. 3.
ADH. 1.]
We reply. The word "but" implies emphasis The body is the
gross effect, pradhāna is the subtle cause, and that alone is to be
understood; so the term "unmanifest" may very well refer to it. Why?
"Because of its fitness", i.e. because of the fitness of the subtle
pradhāna to assume the form of the effect, or because of the fitness of
the effect to assume the form of the cause. Just as in the text: 'All
this verily, is Brahman, emanating from Him, disappearing into Him
and breathing in Him' (Chānd. 3.14.1), the universe, though different
from Brahman as His effect, having been emanated from Him, is yet
declared to be non-different from Him, so is this body, which is non-
different from pradhāna.
Or else, (an alternative explanation;) because of the fitness of that
word "unmanifest", denoting the cause, to denote the effect too ¹,
as in the example: 'Mix the soma with cows' (Ṛg. V. 9.46.4 ²).
COMPARISON
Rāmānuja
Interpretation of 'tad arhatvāt' different, viz. because the
unmanifest matter alone, when it has assumed the form of the effect
(viz. body), is fit to undertake activities, promoting the end of men,
like a chariot ³
SŪTRA 3
"(PRADHĀNA) HAS A MEANING ON ACCOUNT OF (ITS) DEPENDENCE
ON HIM."
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
Pradhāna, taught in the Upaniṣads, "has a meaning on account
of its dependence" on the Supreme Cause; while that admitted by
others is meaningless, such is the distinction (between our pradhāna
and that of others, viz. of the Sāṁkhyas).
¹ The argument is that the cause and the effect being non-different, a term
denoting the one, can very well denote the other. Hence the term 'unmanifest',
denoting pradhāna, the cause, can denote the body, its effect as well.
² P. 203, line 16. That is, the Soma is to be mixed, not with the cow, the
cause, but with the milk, its effect Here a word, denoting the cause, really
stands for the effect.
³ Śrī. B 1.4.2, p. 357, Chap. 1.

{SŪ. 1. 4. 3. VEDĀNTA-KAUSTUBHA 219
ADH. 1.]
Vedānta-kaustubha
To the objection, viz. In that case, be happy by falling in with
the Sāṁkhyas, since you admit the doctrine of the causality of pra-
dhāna,—the author replies here
In ordinary experience, a non-sentient object, having no connec-
tion with a sentient principle, can have no meaning, incapable as it is
of giving rise to an effect Never does a lump of clay assume the form
of a pot by itself. Similarly, pradhāna, admitted by the Sāṁkhyas,
having no connection with a sentient principle and itself non-sentient,
is not able to give rise to effects; hence, it is simply meaningless.
Pradhāna, taught in the Upanisads, on the other hand, "has a mean-
ing". That has a meaning which serves the 'meaning', or the purpose,
of giving rise to all effects, beginning with the mahat and ending with
a tuft of grass. Why? "On account of (its) dependence on Him" ¹
That which is dependent on Him, i e. on Brahman or Lord Vāsudeva,
sentient and the Supreme Cause, is 'tad-adhīna', viz. pradhāna, the
state of being that (tad-adhīnatva), on account of that (tad-adhī-
natvāt).
But the dependence of pradhāna on Brahman is not like the
dependence of atoms on Īśvara, as held by the logicians, but is due
to the relation between a power and the possessor of the power,²
as established by the scriptural text like: 'The own power of the
Deity, hidden by his own qualities' (Śvet. 1 3) and so on. The
scriptural texts, establishing pradhāna as taught in the Upaniṣads,
have been quoted above.³
COMPARISON
Bhāskara
He gives two alternative explanations of the sūtra, the first of
which tallies with the explanation given by Nimbārka. The second
is as follows: 'But (the subtle causal body is designated as) subtle
(in reference to the gross body), because of the fitness (of the word
"unmanifest" to denote it)' (Sūtra 2) ('Bondage and release) have
meaning as dependent on it (viz. the subtle body)' (Sūtra 3) ⁴.
1 The compound 'tad-adhīnatvāt' is to be explained as follows.
2 That is, not an external and accidental relation, but an internal and
essential one.
3 Vide e.g. V.K. 1.1.1. ⁴ Bh B. 1.4.3, p 73.

[SŪ. 1. 4. 4-5.
220 VEDĀNTA-PĀRIJĀTA-SAURABHA ADH. 1.]
Śrīkaṇṭha
Interpretation different, viz '(The soul, the body and the rest)
have a meaning as dependent on Him (viz. the Lord)'.¹
SŪTRA 4
' ALSO BECAUSE OF THE ABSENCE OF ANY STATEMENT OF (ITS)
BEING AN OBJECT TO BE KNOWN.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
The word 'unmanifest' does not denote pradhāna of the Tān-
trikas (i e. the Sāṁkhyas), "also because of the absence of any state-
ment of its being an object to be known "
Vedānta-kaustubha
For this reason also pradhāna is not denoted by the term 'un-
manifest' here. Why ? "Because of the absence of any statement
of its being an object to be known." The Sāṁkhyas, incoherently
prattling that salvation arises from a right discrimination between
prakṛti (= matter) and puruṣa (= soul), say that with a view to
the attainment of salvation, prakṛti, too, should be known by one
desiring for salvation. But pradhāna is not mentioned by the Kathas
as an object to be known, there being the mention of the word 'un-
manifest' simply.
SŪTRA 5
“IF IT BE OBJECTED THAT (SCRIPTURE) SPEAKS (OF PRADHĀNA
AS AN OBJECT TO BE KNOWN), (WE REPLY:) NO, FOR THE INTELLI-
GENT SOUL (IS THE OBJECT TO BE KNOWN), ON ACCOUNT OF THE
TOPIC.”
Vedānta-pārijāta-saurabha
If it be objected that the text: 'By discerning him, who is without
beginning, without end, higher than the great (mahat) eternal, one is
delivered from the jaws of death' (Kaṭha 3.15 ²), "speaks" of
pradhāna as an object to be known,—
¹ ŚK. B. 1.1.3., p. 514, Part 6.
² Ś, R, Bh, ŚK, B