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96
VEDÂNTA-SOTRAS.
Samh. X, 90) exhibits the verse with sole reference to Brahman. Smriti likewise ascribes to Brahman a like nature, ' I stand supporting all this world by a single portion of myself' (Bha. Gîtà X, 42). Our interpretation moreover enables us to take the passage, that Brahman indeed which,' &c. (III, 12, 7), in its primary sense, (i. e. to understand the word Brahman to denote nothing but Brahman.) And, moreover, the passage, these are the five men of Brahman' (III, 13, 6), is appropriate only if the former passage about the Gayatri is taken as referring to Brahman (for otherwise the Brahman'in 'men of Brahman' would not be connected with the previous topic). Hence Brahman is to be considered as the subject-matter of the previous passage also. And the decision that the same Brahman is referred to in the passage about the light where it is recognised (to be the same) from its connexion with heaven, remains unshaken.
27. The objection that the Brahman of the former passage cannot be recognised in the latter) on account of the difference of designation, is not valid because in either (designation) there is nothing contrary (to the recognition).
The objection that in the former passage (three feet of it are what is immortal in heaven '), heaven is designated as the abode, while in the latter passage (that light which shines above this heaven'), heaven is designated as the boundary, and that, on account of this difference of designation, the subject matter of the former passage cannot be recognised in the latter, must likewise be refuted. This we do by remarking that in either designation nothing is contrary to the recognition. Just as in ordinary language a falcon, although in contact with the top of a tree, is not only said to be on the tree but also above the tree, so Brahman also, although being in heaven, is here referred to as being beyond heaven as well.
Another commentator) explains : just as in ordinary language a falcon, although not in contact with the top of a
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