नारायणं गुणैस्सर्वैरुदीर्णं दोषवर्जितम् ।
ज्ञेयं गम्यं गुरूंश्चापि नत्वा सूत्रार्थ उच्यते ।।
Vedas are the fountain heads of all knowledge. They are comparable to that well-wisher whose mission is to bring eternal well-being to mankind. Because of the esoteric nature of the Vedas, their correct intent is difficult to ascertain. At the behest of the Devas, the Brahma Sutras were composed by Bhagavan Vedavyasa, who is none other than Lord Vishnu Himself, to lay down a framework for the correct interpretation of the Vedas.
The Brahma Sutras are in the form of aphorisms arranged in 4 chapters – Samanvaya, Avirodha, Sadhana and Phala). Each of the Adhyayas are further divided into 4 sections or Padas. Each section has a unique theme and deals with several topics called Adhikaranas pertaining to that theme. Each Adhikarana discusses the meaning of a particular Vedic Passage under question. First the view of the prevailing misconceptions (called the Purvapaksha) is stated and the Siddhanta (Final Conclusion) is provided. There are, in all, 222 Adhikaranas and a total of 564 sutras in the Brahma Sutras. Together, the entire Sutras support the inquiry of the Brahman through the Vedas for obtaining salvation from sorrowful existence.
Brahma Sutra Bhashya
Brahma Sutra Bhashya was composed by Sriman Madhwacharya, by the order of Bhagavan Vedavyasa Himself. It is a work of great importance. Bhashya is considered to be the most significant text for any philosophical system. Traditionally, philosophers of this country have written Bhashyas on the Prasthanatrayi – Geeta, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. Brahma Sutra Bhashya stands out among all other Bhashyas for its importance, style and presentation. Brahma Sutra Bhashya Anyone wishing to read the Sutra grantha should necessarily take the help of Sutra Bhashya. One is warned against directly interpreting the Sutra text without referring to the Bhashya. Seeing the 21 previous Bhashyas written on Brahma Sutras did not faithfully give the correct interpretation of the Vedas, Sri Acharya composed an irrefutable Bhashya which faithfully brings home the right purport of the Brahma Sutras.
Commentaries on Brahma Sutra Bhashya
Several commentaries and sub-commentaries have been written on the Brahma Sutra Bhashya. Sri Padmanabha Tirtha composed Sattarka Dipavali and Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya composed Tattvapradipika. Sri Jayateertha composed a well-organized and detailed commentary by the name Tattvaprakashika. Tattvaprakashika has earned the status of a celebrated commentary and a great treasure of Vedantic thought.
Salient Features of Brahma Sutra Bhashya
» Bhashya is very brief yet profound.
» A scholarly masterpiece par excellence.
» Bhashya reveals to the reader the reason for the compilation of the Brahma Sutras by Bhagavan Vedavyasa.
» Introduces the rich Sutra tradition and discusses the use of OM and ATHA for the purpose of invocation.
» Employs the 6 methods of interpretation viz., Upakrama, Upasamhara, Apurvata, Phala, Arthavada and Upapatti subject to an ascending order of precedence to fix the meanings of the disputed Vedic statements.
» Acharya’s Sutra Bhashya is unique in accepting Vedic Passages for discussion unlike other Bhashyakaras who have resitrcted themselves to only Upanishadic Passages.
» Rebuilds the entire scheme of Sutras as per the authority to bring home a cohesive, integral theme of Guna Poornatva of Lord Vishnu for the entire set of Brahma Sutras.It takes a realistic view of the world and emphasizes that all Vedas speak about the Brahman as the Supreme Being fully in control of the vast universe made up sentient and insentient beings.
» The manifold nature of Brahma Sutras is richly depicted.
» Every statement of Bhashya has manifold meanings which only a person of divine origin can understand.
» Places the Brahma Mimamsa Shastra at the pinnacle of all Shastras. It is defined as that interpretative logic on which the validity of all Agamas is in turn dependent upon.
» It is so simple that even a child can understand, yet so profound, that even the Master’s find it difficult.
Conclusion
Brahma Sutra Bhashya is the central text for Tattvavada Philosophy propounded by Sri Madhwacharya. It injects a fresh fragrance of interpretive diligence to Vedic exegesis. It borrows from vast literature of ancient Vedic and Pancharatra texts to reconstruct a tradition that was lost to posterity. A living tradition based on the principles enshrined in it is brought into existence. Lord Vayu who appeared as Hanuman and served Lord Rama and as Bheema and served Lord Krishna, in his third incarnation as Acharya Madhwa, fulfilled this as a great service to Bhagavan Vedavyasa. Those who keep repeating the Bhashya with staunch devotion would surely reach the abode of Lord and enjoy great bliss.
नित्यानन्दो हरिः पूर्णो नित्यदा प्रीयतां मम ।
नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै च विष्णवे ।।