(a) Way of learned scholars and standard authorities
- They always give evidence from past authorities
o e.g. Krishna gives such evidence, although He is the highest authority - Besides Krishna Himself, Vyasadeva is a great sage who explains the concept of duality perfectly in Vedanta-sutra
- Vyasdeva’s father, Parasara, also a great sage, writes in his books of religiosity: “aham tvam ca tathanye…”
o “We – You, I and All living entities are transcendental, although in material bodies”
o Now fallen into three modes: According to karma, some are higher and some are lower
o It is all due to ignorance
o But Supersoul is infallible and transcendental - Ref. Original Vedas, especially Katha Upanishad: Establishes the distinction between soul, Supersoul and the body
o Many great sages have explained this: Parasara is the principal among them - Word “chandobhih” refers to various Vedic literatures e.g. Taittiriya Upanishad, a branch of Yajur Veda, describes nature, living entity and the Supreme Personality of Godhead
(b) 5 stages of Brahman realization: Brahma puccham pratistha (Taittiriya Upanishad 2.9) –
- ‘Annamaya’ – Food is the Supreme object of realization e.g. consciousness of young child or amoeba
- ‘Pranamaya’ – Realizing the Supreme Absolute Truth in living symptoms or life forms. One seeks to preserve his life
- ‘Jnanamaya’ – Realization to the point of thinking, feeling and willing
o One appreciates the subtle interactions of mind and intelligence, emotions, aesthetics, etc. as ultimate object of realisation - ‘Vijnanamaya’ – Realization in which the living entity’s mind and life symptoms are distinguished from the living entity himself
o To realize the self as different from the field of activity, including the subtle body
o Thus the soul itself becomes the ultimate object of realisation - ‘Anandamaya’ – Supreme stage of realisation of all-blissful nature
o One realizes the distinction between the self and the Supreme Self and enters into a blissful loving relationship
(c) Relationship of 5 above mentioned stages in terms of kshetra and kshetra-jna
- Kshetra includes:
o Gross body – Ananadamaya and Pranamaya
o Subtle body – Jnanamaya - Kshetra-jna includes:
o Individual soul – Vijnanamaya
o Supreme Soul – Anandamaya
(d) Perfection of living entity
- Transcendental to the fields is the Supreme Lord who is full of joy
o To enjoy His transcendental bliss, He expands into Vijnanamaya, Jnanamaya, Pranamaya and Annamaya - If living entity decides to enjoy in dove-tailing himself with Anandamaya, he becomes perfect
(e) What truth to be searched for in Vedanta-sutra or Brahma-sutra
- Real picture of Lord as the Supreme Knower; living entity as subordinate knower; and nature as the field of activities (Ref. Codes of Brahma Sutra: Study purport)