thathva thrayam (Commentary) – sUthram 64

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The AchArya now answers the question raised in the previous sUthram by explaining the differences (vaidharmya) between the essential nature of the soul (svarUpa) and its attributive knowledge (gyAna).

sUthram 64

ஸ்வரூபம் தர்மியாய், ஸங்கோச விகாஸங்களுக்கு அயோக்யமாய், தன்னையொழிந்தவற்றை ப்ரகாஶிப்பியாமலே, தனக்குத்தான் ப்ரகாஶிக்கக் கடவதாய், அணுவாயிருக்கும்; ஜ்ஞாநம் தர்மமாய், ஸங்கோச விகாஸங்களுக்கு யோக்யமாய், தன்னையொழிந்தவற்றை ப்ரகாஶிப்பிக்கக் கடவதாய், தனக்குத்தான் ப்ரகாஶியாதே ஆத்மாவுக்கு ப்ரகாஶிக்கக் கடவதாய், விபுவாயிருக்கும்.

svarUpam dharmiyAy, sankOcha vikAsangaLukku ayOgyamAy, thannai ozhindhavaRRai prakASippiyAmalE, thanakkuththAn prakASikkak kadavadhAy, aNuvAy irukkum; gyAnam dharmamAy, sankOcha vikAsangaLukku yOgyamAy, thannai ozhindhavaRRai prakASippikkak kadavadhAy, thanakkuththAn prakASiyAdhE AthmAvukku prakASikkak kadavadhAy, vibhuvAy irukkum.

Meaning

The soul is the substratum (dharmi). It is not subject to contraction or expansion, reveals only itself, is self-luminous, and is atomic. Knowledge is an attribute (dharma). It is capable of contraction and expansion, reveals objects other than itself, does not reveal itself independently but is revealed to the soul, and is all-pervasive.

Explanation

Characteristics of the soul (svarUpa)

The following are the distinctive characteristics of the soul:

  • It is the dharmi (the possessor of attributes).
  • It is not subject to sankOcha (contraction) or vikAsa (expansion).
  • It does not reveal anything other than itself.
  • It is self-luminous (svasmai svayam prakASa).
  • It is aNu (atomic).

These are the distinguishing characteristics of the soul.

Characteristics of knowledge (gnAnam)

The following are the distinctive characteristics of knowledge:

  • It is a dharma (an attribute of the soul).
  • It is capable of contraction and expansion.
  • It reveals objects other than itself.
  • It is not self-luminous; rather, it shines for its substratum, the soul (svASrayasya svayam prakASathva).
  • It is vibhu (all-pervasive).

These are the distinguishing characteristics of knowledge.

With the statement “விபுவாயிருக்கும்“, the AchArya concludes the description of the intrinsic nature (svAbhAvika-viSEsha) of knowledge.

adiyen vAsudhEva rAmAnuja dhAsan

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