Vedanta — Foundation Text (Nyaya-Prasthana)
Brahma Sutras
ब्रह्मसूत्राणि — 555 terse aphorisms by Badarayana reconciling and systematising all Upanishadic teachings into a unified philosophy. So compressed they require a commentary — and every Vedanta school has written one.
- The Brahma Sutras (also called Vedanta Sutras or Uttara-Mimamsa Sutras) are the systematic philosophical synthesis of the Upanishadic teachings, authored by Badarayana (also identified with Vyasa).
- Composed in ~200 BCE–200 CE, the text consists of 555 very terse sutras (aphorisms) in 4 chapters (Adhyayas) — so compressed they are almost unintelligible without a commentary.
- The four chapters cover: (1) Samanvaya — reconciliation and harmonisation of Upanishadic statements about Brahman; (2) Avirodha — refutation of opposing schools; (3) Sadhana — the path of spiritual practice; (4) Phala — the fruit of liberation.
- Every major Vedanta school has written a commentary on the Brahma Sutras — it is their battle-ground. The text admits multiple interpretations, which is why Shankara, Ramanuja, Madhva, and Swaminarayan could all claim it as their authority.
- The Brahma Sutras establish Brahman as the sole cause of the universe (Janmady asya yatah — 'that from which the origin etc. of this world proceed'), and refute Samkhya, Buddhism, Vaisheshika, and other schools.
- Badarayana favours a personal Brahman (Ishvara) who is the material and efficient cause of the universe — positioning Vedanta against the impersonalist reading.
Founder
Badarayana (Vyasa)
~200 BCE – 200 CE
Core Thesis
brahmanBrahman is the sole cause of the universe — both material and efficient. Omniscient, omnipotent, the ultimate ground of existence.
jivaIndividual souls are real and related to Brahman — the exact nature of this relation is the question each school answers differently.
jagatThe world originates from Brahman and is real. How it originates and its ultimate status is debated.
Rel.The Brahma Sutras state Brahman is the source of all — but deliberately leave the exact Brahman-Jiva-Jagat relation to be interpreted, enabling all six schools.
Key Concepts
Janmady asya yatah (BS 1.1.2)
That from which the origin, sustenance, and dissolution of this world proceed — that is Brahman. The foundational sutra defining Brahman.
Samanvaya
Harmonisation — the first chapter reconciles apparently contradictory Upanishadic statements to show they all point to one Brahman.
Avirodha
Refutation — the second chapter refutes 12 rival schools including Samkhya, Vaisheshika, Buddhism, Jainism, and shows Vedanta alone is consistent.
Tattvamasi commentary
Each commentator interprets 'That thou art' (Chandogya 6.8.7) differently — Shankara as identity, Ramanuja as inseparability, Madhva as similarity, Swaminarayan as distinction with devotional relationship.
Key Texts
| Text | Content |
|---|---|
| Brahma Sutras (Badarayana) | 555 sutras in 4 chapters — the foundational Vedanta text. |
| Brahmasutra-Shankarabhashya | Shankara's Advaita commentary — perhaps the greatest philosophical work in Sanskrit. |
| Shri Bhashya (Ramanuja) | Ramanuja's Vishishtadvaita commentary — highly systematic and thorough. |
| Anuvyakhyana (Madhva) | Madhva's Dvaita commentary and its extension — argues for eternal distinction of Brahman, jivas, and jagat. |
Browse Brahma Sutras Structure
Explore shlokas and subcategories in Brahma Sutras.