Brahma Sutra Bhasya

by Sankaracarya (Commentary), Gambhirananda

The Brahma Sutras are the third of the canonical texts and are regarded as the Nyaya-prasthana, because they explain the teachings of Vedanta in a logical order. The work is known by other names including Vedanta-sutra, Sariraka-sutra, and Bhiksu-sutra.The Brahma Sutra Bhasya is an important but difficult Vedanta scripture. This is our most popular translation, and is regarded by some as indispensable for all students of Vedanta. Includes word for word meaning of each aphorism under its Sanskrit text, followed by a running translation, with additional words in brackets for clarification.Translation based primarily on the Ratnaprabha.

Genres: Religion, Spirituality, Philosophy, Hinduism, Mysticism, Nonfiction, India

920 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 800

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew... That was one of the longest and most difficult books I've ever read. It's difficult because of the number of topics that require a large array of contextual knowledge. The third book of four was the most difficult of these. But very interesting and nuanced. His handling of rival philosophies is masterful.

[Nirav Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book on Advaita Philosophy. It is precise, simple and lucid.

[Venkat Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ultimate treatise on Advaita Vedanta.

Prasthāna-traya (triple canon or three basic texts) of Vedanta comprises the Upanishads, Bhagavad-Gita, and the Brahma-sūtra of Bādarāyana Vyāsa. Brahma-sūtra sets forth the teaching of Vedanta in a logical order by systematizing the Upanishads. The Brahma-sūtra is an exquisite garland made out of Upanishad-blossoms.

Swami Vivekananda (Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 4.3.11) wrote: "If one be asked to point out the system of thought towards which as a centre all the ancient and modern Indian thoughts have converged, if one wants to see the real backbone of Hinduism in all its various manifestations, the Sutras of Vyasa will unquestionably be pointed out as constituting all that."

The Brahma-sūtra contains 555 sūtras (aphorisms) divided into four chapters. In the first chapter on Samanvaya (harmony), Bādarāyana teaches that the Vedantic texts have for their purport Brahman, the non-dual Reality. The second chapter entitled Avirodha (non-conflict) discusses the objections that may be raised against the metaphysics of Vedanta. The third chapter is on Sādhana, the means to release. The last chapter is on Phala, the fruit of meditation and following the path of knowledge.

Śaṅkara's bhāṣya is the earliest extant commentary on Bādarāyana's text. It is celebrated for its lucidity and depth. Śaṅkara's commentary has served as the model for all subsequent commentators, who have been knowingly or unknowingly influenced by it. Several annotations and glosses have been written on Śaṅkara's illuminating bhāṣya.

Anyone interested in a thorough understanding of Advaita Vedanta must definitely study this book very diligently.

[Povilas Kimutis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbelievable book. One of the masterpieces of humanity.

[Painofboredom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accusing your rival to be nihilists while some of your own doctrines hover close to nihilism is certainly amusing