Brahma Sutras

 

The Ultimate Vision of Wisdom:

the essence of the teachings of the Vedas

 

The Brahma Sutras were composed by Badrayana as a commentary on the Upanishads. Their meanings are sometimes obscured by the brevity of their composition. There are many commentaries on their interpretation including the classic version by Sankaracharya.

 

V.1

 

Atha athah - Now then, Brahma jijnasa – the inquiry into Brahman (God).

 

After the yearning to know God has arisen, the inquiry into the nature of the reality.

 

First of all it has to be understood that the true nature of the Supreme Reality cannot be comprehended by the mind (manas) or intellect (buddhi), according to Sankara, it can only be experienced by someone who has followed the path to develop the qualities necessary for God realization. This is not a mere intellectual exercise as in Western philosophy, but in order for the true nature of God (Brahman) to be revealed, certain prerequisites are required. According to accepted tradition, Sankara described the fourfold discipline as follows: 

 

 

  1. Discrimination between the real and the unreal (viveka)
  2. Renunciation and detachment (vairagya)
  3. Six Treasures (perfections or virtues)
  4. Longing for Liberation (mumuksutam)

 

 

So, once the longing to find the true nature of God has arisen, one should study the Vedanta,that means the end portion of the Vedas devoted to philosophy, learn discrimination by understanding the wisdom teaching practise detachment, purify the heart and develop a moral character through practicing the six perfections (virtues) and foster the longing for liberation.

 

 

                               The Study of Vedanta