The First Pada
The Vedanta-sutra is composed of sixteen pādas or sections, grouped into four chapters. The first chapter (pādas 1 to 4) explains how Brahman is the real topic of discussion in all Vedic literature.
« Vedānta-sūtra: The Govinda-bhāṣya of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa
The First Pada
The Vedanta-sutra is composed of sixteen pādas or sections, grouped into four chapters. The first chapter (pādas 1 to 4) explains how Brahman, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the real topic of discussion in all Vedic literature. The second chapter (pādas 5 to 8) solves apparent contradictions, explaining how different books in the Vedic literature present the same conclusion. These two chapters describe sambandha. The third chapter (pādas 9 to 12) describes how to attain the Supreme Lord (abhidheya). Finally, the fourth chapter (pādas 13 to 16) explains the result of attaining the Lord (prayojana).
This first pāda begins by encouraging us into this natural process of inquiring about the absolute truth and continues in explaining the right process for understanding the verses of the Upaniṣads. In the process, it debunks many false ideas and philosophies that misinterpret the scriptures.
« Vedānta-sūtra: The Govinda-bhāṣya of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa