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 Vedānta-sūtra 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.
Śrīla Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa starts his commentary with a prayer:
satyam jñānam anantam
brahma-śivādi-stutam bhajad-rūpam govindam tam acintyam
hetum adosam namasyāmaḥ
“Lord Govinda is the Supreme Brahman, the absolute transcendental reality. He is transcendental knowledge. He is the original cause of all causes. He is limitless and faultless. Brahmā, Śiva and all the demigods praise Him. Devotees worship His transcendental form. We offer our respectful obeisances unto Him.”
sūtrāmśubhis tamāmsi
vyudāsya vastūni yaḥ parīkṣayate sa jayati satyavādī
harir anuvṛtto nāṭa-preṣṭhaḥ
“All glories to Śrīla Vyasadeva, the son of Satyavati. He is the incarnation of Lord Hari, and is very dear to the devotees. With the effulgence of his Vedānta-sūtra he has dispelled the darkness of ignorance and revealed the truth.”
Next: Sutra 1.1.1 - athāto brahma-jijñāsā: It’s time to enquire about the Absolute Truth »
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« Vedānta-sūtra: The Govinda-bhāṣya of Baladeva Vidyābhūṣaṇa