In the following Video, Sri ManidrAvida Shastrigal, explains
the SrikantabhAshyam on the ShAstrayonitvAt adhikaraNam from the Brhahmasutram:
Upanyasamon Srikanthabhäsye - Sastrayonitvāt - Adikaranam | Dr. Mani Dravid | 22 10 2024
One of the unique features of Sri Shakara bhAshyam is to
give two kinds of meanings for this sutra.
One is to say that Brahman/Ishwara is known only through the
vEdAdi ShAstra pramAna. It is not known through any other pramANa like
pratyaksha or anumAna.
The second meaning is that Brahman or Ishwara is the source
of shAstra also. By this the sarvagyatva or the omniscience of Ishwara is also
proved. This is special to Shankara bhAshya as it is not mentioned by Sri Ramanuja
or Sri Madhwa.
But a question arises; if Brahman / Ishwara is the source of
shAstra then how come Veda/shAstra is apourusheya or that which has no author?
For that the answer provided is that – At the time of creation, Ishwara brings
out the shAstra which was already in Him. Ishwara also does not have any dosha
or defects that is seen in all ordinary beings.
The above reason is not convincing enough as other avaidhika
religions also can claim validity to their scriptures based on the same
argument.
The correct reason would be to identify Ishwara or parmAtma as
the all-pervading and indwelling Self, supporting and sustaining the entire
universe as His body. This SarvavyApi, VishwAntaryAmi Ishwara/Brahman naturally
becomes the source and destination of shAstra and all name/forms in the
universe.
Other religions can never claim validity to their scriptures
based on the above argument because their God is not paramAtmA – the all pervading
and indwelling Self of the universe!
Here is another point that is discussed:
As Veda mantras are realized by Maharshis, they also would
end up as equal to Ishwara knowing everything. For this the answer given is
that – yes Maharshis know all that is taught in the Vedas, but Ishwara knows
even that is not taught in the Vedas.
The above seems to limit Vedas. But Vedas themselves declare
that it is infinite – anantAvai vedAh. But still Vedas also acknowledge that it
cannot describe Ishwara/Brahman completely. This proves that Brahman is the
source of Vedas also and clearly establishes that Ishwara/Brahman is higher than
the Maharshis.
Namaste
Suresh
