PARABRAHMA SUTRAS (159-160)

159. Jnaanabhaktisevaakarmaani tasyaapi Rukminyaa iva.

Translation: The knowledge, theoretical devotion and practical devotion as service are the three subsequent steps followed by Shankara also as in the case of Rukmini.

Explanation: The knowledge of the goal, the knowledge of the correct path to reach the goal and the knowledge of yourself that you are not already the goal is called ‘triputi’ or the three components of spiritual knowledge. This is the first step. After getting the knowledge of the goal, the interest on the goal called as devotion is developed and this is the second step. Due to devotion, one gets the association of God. Now starts the practical devotion, which is sacrifice of work and fruit of work without aspiration for fruit, to get the real grace of God. This is the third step. Rukmini heard the details of Krishna from sage Narada and this is first step. In the second step, she developed love to Krishna. Due to this love, Krishna married her. She did not aspire to become the queen, but became the servant by pressing the feet of Krishna continuously. The commentaries of Shankara refer to the first step. The prayers composed by Shankara refer to second step. Shankara left even His old mother and was intensively involved in the mission of God through out His life and this refers to the third step. Thus, Shankara represents the total spiritual path of three subsequent steps so that none can add anything after Him.

160. Uktabhaagapunashcharanaartham shishyasheshah shruteh.

Translation: To revise a part of the preached knowledge, the disciple, Adishesha came and all this is supported by Veda.

Explanation: After Shankara, slowly, almost all atheists were converted into theists, but they were under the illusion that they were already God and avoided devotion and service. In course of time, their theism was well established and the time was ripened for them to realize the truth and climb the next step. The second step followed by Shankara already in composing the prayers on God was to be stressed upon in that time. The second step was to be revised, which was already preached by Shankara long ago. A professor teaches the lesson completely and leaves the class. The students may have difficulty in some parts of the lesson. To clarify those parts, the professor will not come again to teach the class. He will send his senior research students to revise the hard parts of the lesson. Similarly, God Shankara sent His disciple, Adishesha in the form of Ramanuja to stress upon the second step. Ramanuja is said to be the human incarnation of Adishesha. You can find the stress on devotion already in the preaching of Shankara (Bhaktireva gariyasi). Hence, devotion was not invented by Ramanuja. It was already invented and introduced by Shankara. Shankara was Lord Shiva and as per Veda Shiva is Narayana (Shivashcha Narayanah). Adishesha is the servant of Lord Shiva existing as jewel in the neck. Since, Shiva is Narayana, Adishesha being the servant of the Narayana, shall be also the servant of Shiva. The followers of Ramanuja themselves agree that Ramanuja is incarnation of Adishesha. Hence, none can contradict any point of this concept.