The Essence Of The Brahmasutras

By Babaji

H. H. Babaji, as He is fondly addressed by his disciples all around the world, spends most of His time in seclusion in His gufa (cave) in the Himalayas. He is the last in a lineage of great Tantric Gurus whose paramparas (traditions) are handed down through the generations by word of mouth. Babaji is one of the few living Himalayan Masters who still carries on the Guru-shishya tradition. He has spent many decades studying various religious, philosophical texts and scriptures, is fluent in several Indian and foreign languages; and unlike many other men of the cloth, is an accomplished academician as well. The Essence Of The Brahmasutras is the result of Babaji’s desire to simplify the complex scriptures and texts so that everyone may enjoy these pearls of wisdom. His vast repertoire of knowledge, rare wisdom and refreshing insights coupled with His mastery over language make this book a rare treat for the uninitiated as well as the experienced reader. This is the first in a series of four books.

The others that will follow are based on the Upanisads, the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Babaji
• Release date: Nov 5, 2013
• ISBN: 9789382788713

Book preview

THE ESSENCE OF

THE BRAHMASŪTRAS

BABAJI

CONTENTS

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

 AUTHOR’S NOTE

I.           INTRODUCTION

II.         ANALYSIS OF THE CONTENTS OF THE

BRAHMASŪTRAS

III.        A BRIEF BACKGROUND

IV.        VEDĀNTA ESSENTIALLY

V.         PERSPECTIVES OF VEDĀNTA

VI.        MEDITATING UPON THE BRAHMASŪTRAS

VII.      THE ESSENCE OF THE BRAHMASŪTRAS

VIII.     CONCLUSION

IX.        GLOSSARY OF SANSKRIT WORDS

THE ESSENCE OF THE BRAHMASUTRAS

Babaji

Copyright © Babaji 2007

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I HUMBLY DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO

THE LOVE OF MY GURU

&

TO THE CARE OF MY PARENTS - MIM. POPPY

&

MY SISTER - BONNIE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people because of whom this book has been possible. My publisher Yogesh Sharma and his charming wife Nehal, without whose invaluable inputs, efforts and hospitality this book would not have been possible. The entire team of Zen Publications and Red Sky Designs, whose dedication and creative excellence have given exquisite shape and form to this book. My humble thanks to the Guru Parivār for their unending devotion, love and support without which I could never have completed this book. My deep gratitude to Rādhā for her invaluable insights, and for always being there. And last, but not least, I would like to acknowledge the immense love and devotion showered on me by my disciples the world over, without whom all of this would not have been possible.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

My humble salutations to Bhagavāna Śrī Veda Vyāsa, who has in this great philosophical treatise described and discussed the svarūpa (attributes) of Parabrahma, and also elucidated the most exalted philosophical principals of the Vedas. Hence, this work is called the Brahmasūtras and also Vedānta Darśana (the philosophy of Vedānta).

I also prostrate myself before Bhagavāna Śrī Ādi Śankarāchārya and all the great Gurus of Hindu Dharma for immortalizing these gigantic principles in our way of life, and inspiring many over the centuries, to follow the path of Truth, Experience and Spiritual Liberation.

The Brahmasūtras, divided over four chapters and sixteen sections give us a complete description of Brahma as the Eternal Truth, the Universal Consciousness and the Absolute Reality. By understanding these principles, all seekers of Truth can eliminate all doubts and answer all questions regarding essential Advaita philosophy. After the removal of confusion, and the establishment of Brahma as the Only Reality, we will find it easy to deal with all the pain and sadness related to mundane existence and thus, experience the Bliss of Oneness with the Universe. This is the most exalted of all spiritual states of man, as also the Final Destination.

Thanking the Divine Paramātmā, and all of you, for giving me this privilege and opportunity, please accept this humble offering The Essence of the Brahmasūtras. This is an attempt to bring these exalted principles in a simple manner into the realm of the common man, so that we may meditate upon the Paramātmā and experience infinite joy from Its Knowledge.

Babaji

An Inspiration, A Truth.

I

INTRODUCTION

The Brahmasūtras, written by the great sage Veda Vyāsa, is one of the most important philosophical treatises of the Hindu way of life or Sanātana Dharma. This was written as a testimony to the Vedas. Also known as the Śārīrika Sūtras, it stands alone as the authority in the philosophy of Advaita Vedānta, propagating the non-dual aspect of Brahma. The Upaniṣads bear witness to the principles proclaimed in this monumental philosophical work.

The chapter XIII of the Bhagavad Gītā, called Kṣetrakṣetrajña-Vibhāga Yoga, dealing in the discrimination between nature and soul, states:

"It has been extolled many times over by various kinds of Vedic compositions, that the rational, objective and convincing statements of the Brahmasūtras point to and lead to the experience of Brahma."

[śloka 4]

The Brahmasūtras have been divided into four chapters and each chapter into four sections. A general outline of these four chapters are as follows:

1.  The first chapter brings out the logical and objective understanding of the Upaniṣads by clarifying the apparently ambiguous meaning of some of the statements thus, removing all doubts and confusion.

2.  The second chapter endorses the Vedāntic viewpoint and evolves a philosophical defense in the content of, and against, the various schools of philosophical thought.

3.  The third chapter defines the spiritual road map to the Supreme Goal of life.

4.  The fourth chapter explains and elucidates the Nature and Essence of the Goal Itself.

Before proceeding further, let us examine what the title of this philosophical treatise really means. In Sanskrit, the word ‘Brahman’ is derived from the root ‘brmh’ which means to grow and the suffix ‘man’ which signifies an absence of boundaries or infinity or absolute. ‘Brahma’ therefore means That which has no boundaries or That which embraces infinity or That which is absolutely the greatest. Hence, It is that which cannot be measured and has no definition.

On the other hand, the word ‘Sūtra’ is a statement or aphorism that is precise and non-ambiguous. It should have clarity and be