Acharya vaibhvam.... - 7 - what is Brahma sutra ...

[Guest guest]

SrI:

SrImathE Ramanuja nama:

 

Dearest all,

 

Let us now see what is the definition of

VisishtAdvaita. [Extract from SrI MS Hari Swami’s

wonderful write up:]. Quote: VisishtAdvaita: It is

derived by two ways - " Visistasya Advaitam -

Visistadvaitam " and " Visistayoho Advaitam -

Visistadvaitam " .

 

" Visistasya Advaitam " means - The Brahman qualified by

all chit and achit entities as his

Saareeram/Prakaaram/Viseshanam (body/ mode/ attribute)

is without a second entity meaning unparalleled and

unsurpassed. This brings out the ultimate supremacy of

SrIman Narayana Para Brahman who is Akila Heya

Pratyaneeka: and Ananta Kalyaana Gunaakara:

 

" Visistayoho Advaitam " means - The Brahman having the

subtle (sukshma) chit and achit entities as his

Saareeram/Prakaaram/Viseshanam (body/mode/attribute)

before creation is the same Brahman having the

expanded (stUla) chit and achit entities as his

Saareeram / Prakaaram/ Viseshanam ( body / mode/

attribute) after creation. This brings out the fact

that SrIman Narayana Para Brahman is the only material

cause and efficient cause of the universe.

 

Our SrI Sampradaayam which is Visishtaadvaita SrI

Vaishnavam is clearly established in the Sruthi,

Smruthis and the Brahma Sutras. Our Aacharyas have

clearly ascertained the Tatva-Hita-Purushaartha.

 

Thus our religion is based on prastana thraya viz.

Upanishads, Brahma sutra and GitA. Let us learnt about

Brahma sutra:

 

[Extract from Dialog in Hinduism- book written by Sri

V.N. Gopala Desikan] The Mimamsa consists of two

parts. The first part is called Purva Mimamsa or Karma

Mimamsa. The second part is called Uttara Mimamsa or

Brahma Mimamsa. Karma Mimamsa is dealt with by Jaimini

in 16 chapters or Adhyayas. They contain short

statements or aphorisms. They clarify doubts

regarding rituals mentioned in the Vedas and also

clarify doubts about the general conduct. They

interpret the Vedic texts in Karma Kanda.

 

Brahma Mimamsa is dealt with in Brahma Sutras. This is

propounded by Sage Badarayana or Vyasa. This contains

short statements or aphorisms, clarifying doubts in

the Vedic text. Brahma Mimamsa interprets the Vedic

text of Jnana Kanda or Brahma Kanda.

 

Brahma Sutra is considered very sacred and important.

It helps in clarifying and explaining difficult

passages in the Upanishads.

 

This being one of the most important texts, many

philosophers have written detailed commentaries

namely, Tanka, Dramida, Guhadeva, Kapardin and

Bharuci, besides Sri Ramanuja's Sri Bhashyam and the

philosophy is well established. We also have the

commentaries by Sankara, Madhva, besides many others

like Nimbarka and Vallabha on this Brahma sutra.

 

Ramanuja’s commentary alone is called SRI BHASHYAM…

 

We have four chapters or Adhyayas in the Brahma Sutra.

Each of the four chapters consists of four parts or

padas. There are 545 Sutras or aphorisms.

 

The first chapter shows that Brahman is the sole cause

of 1) creation of this world, 2) sustenance of this

world, and also 3) destruction of this world. The

second chapter discusses some of the objections in

this regard put forth by other schools and proves that

Brahman is both the material cause and the

instrumental cause for this world. (We will

discuss this in detail later). The third chapter

describes the means or methods of attaining Brahman,

i.e. salvation. The fourth chapter talks of salvation:

what is meant by salvation and the glory of salvation.

 

His Holiness Sri Sri Rangapriya swami writes very

simple style in his introduction to Chatussutri [book

written by Dr. Sri U Ve NS Anantharangachar Swami]:

Vedanta is the finest flower of intellectual thought

and spiritual experience and among the different

interpretations of Vedanta philosophy, the

interpretation called " VisishtAdvaita " as expounded by

Bhagawaan Ramanujacharya in his Sri Bhashya in unique

in establishing a view which satisfies both reason and

experience.

 

It shows an agreement among the apparently

contradicting statements in the Upanishads and

prepares our minds for the worship and realization of

the Supreme. The appellations Sri: [auspiciousness and

resplendent] and Sathyaikalambi [relying upon and

upholding that alone which is the truth of all truths]

sit well upon it. His blemishless and good and golden

attributes are indeed true. His creation is very much

true and the modes of worship recommended by

Scriptures for attaining Him are all true. It is

faithful to the ancient and continuous tradition of

Vedanthic teaching.

 

The import of the said four sutras is as follows:

 

1. Brahman is rightly enquired into

2. Brahman is that from which the creation etc of this

universe proceed

3. The right scripture constitutes the true source of

the knowledge

related to Brahman and

4. This results from Brahman being the true purport of

the scriptures.

 

The Sri-Bhashya expounds the philosophy of Sri

Ramanuja in all its essentials. The structure of the

work following the structure of the Sutras is laid

down well. The first four Sutras concern themselves

with four considerations of an introductory character.

The rest of the first chapter elucidates the crucial

passages of the Upanisads that appear to be ambiguous,

and the result is a formulation of the philosophy of

the Upanisads in a coherent and decisive manner. The

second chapter deals with the possible exegetical and

philosophical objections to the standpoint. It

incidentally examines rival philosophical systems.

These two chapters present the metaphysics of Vedanta.

 

 

The third chapter propounds the sadhana or the pathway

to the attainment of the supreme Goal of life. The

fourth chapter delineates that goal with all its

implications. The last two chapters, thus relate to

the ideals to be achieved. In traditional language the

first two chapters formulate the Tattva or the nature

of Reality and the third deals with the Hita or

sadhana, and the fourth brings out the Purusartha or

the supreme ideal of life. [extract from

www.ramanuja.org Sri Vaishnava Home Page]

 

Such great commenatry Sri bhashya needs to be learnt

from the acharya by learning at His lotus feet. One

such magnificent acharyan is His Holiness Srimad

PaRavakkOttai Andavan Sri Gopaladesika mahadesikan

Swami. Let me place my head at the lotus feet of this

acharya saarvabhouman.

 

asmadhAchArya paryanthAm vandhE Guru paramparAm

Regards

Namo Narayana

dAsan

 

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

Music Unlimited

Access over 1 million songs.

http://music./unlimited