Book Review

Vedanta Deepa
Commentary on the Vedanta Sutras by Bhagavad Ramanujacharya: Vol.II comprising chapters III and IV (Sanskrit): English translation by Anantha Rangacharya; Pub. by author, # 780, V Main Road, Vijayanagar, Bangalore 560040. Rs.250.

Ramanuja’s commentary on the Brahmasutra is available to us in the form of three different works: The Sribhashya, which is very elaborate; a simpler commentary called Vedanta Deepa; and a still shorter commentary known as Vedanta Sara.

This volume is the second part of Vedanta Deepa. The Brahmasutra or Vedanta Sutra of Badayarayana (also known as Vyasa) is one of the triple texts called Prasthanatraya. The Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita are the other two Prasthanas.

All Acharyas who wanted to expound their philosophical views were obliged to show that their views were in conformity with these Prasthanas. Sankara, Ramanuja and Madhva commented on these texts, with the exception of Ramanuja who commented on the Brahmasutra and Gita, but not on the Upanishads. He, if we may say so, filled this lacuna, through his work, the Vedartha Sangraha, in which he selected important passages from the Upanishads and explained them in the light of his position. Since each Acharya explained the three Prasthanas according to their traditional views, there arose a lot of divergence regarding the actual import of these texts.

The Brahmasutra is actually an aphoristic presentation of important Upanishad passages. It consists of four sections called the Samanvaya, Avirodha, Sadhana and Phala Adhyayas. This volume contains the Sadhana and Phala Adhyayas of the Brahmasutra.

© "The Hindu" (dated October 17, 2006). Reprinted with permission.

<< Back