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Brahma Sutras

Also known as: Vedanta Sutra, Sutras of the Brahman

Category:
Vedanta Sutras

Overview

A foundational text of the Vedānta school of Hindu philosophy, summarizing the philosophical and spiritual ideas in the Upanishads through 555 aphoristic sutras.

Author(s)

Badarayana

Authorship Date / Period

Circa 200 BCE - 400 CE

Language

Sanskrit

Tradition

Vedanta

Text Type

Sutras (aphorisms)

Number of Sutras

555

Central Theme

Brahman is the ultimate reality and the source of the universe, and liberation (moksha) can be attained through the realization of Brahman.

Structure / Sections

Key Aspects

  • Summarizes Upanishadic philosophy
  • Foundational for Vedanta school
  • Discusses nature of Brahman, Atman, and the world
  • Reconciles apparent contradictions in Upanishads

Example Sutras

Example Sutra 1
Sanskrit:

अथातो ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा ॥१.१.१॥

Translation:

Now, therefore, the inquiry into Brahman.

Example Sutra 2
Sanskrit:

जन्माद्यस्य यतः ॥ १.१.२॥

Translation:

That (Brahman) from which the origin, subsistence, and dissolution of this (universe proceed).

Example Sutra 3
Sanskrit:

शास्त्रयोनित्वात् ॥ १.१.३॥

Translation:

The scripture (is) the source of (the right knowledge of Brahman).

Example Sutra 4
Sanskrit:

तत्तुसमन्वयात् ॥ १.१.४॥

Translation:

But that (Brahman is to be known only from the Scriptures and not independently of them) because it is the main purport (of all Vedanta-texts).

Example Sutra 5
Sanskrit:

ईक्षतेर्नाशब्दम् ॥ १.१.५॥

Translation:

On account of thinking (being attributed to the first cause in the Upanishads, Pradhana) is not (the first cause referred to in the Upanishads, since it is) not based on the Word (Scripture).

Important Commentaries

  • Shankaracharya's Bhashya
  • Ramanuja's Sribhashya
  • Madhvacharya's Anuvyakhyana