Emancipating Enlightenment

About the Book

The Brahmasutras of Sage Badarayana (traditionally identified with Sage Vyasa) are one of the triad of canonical texts, the Prasthana-traya, of the esteemed vedanta school of philosophy. It would be no exaggeration to affirm that the Brahmasutras, together with the Brahmasutra-bhasya, the superb commentary thereon by Sri Sarikara Bhagavatpada, occupy a pride of place in the system of Advaita-vedanta. Profound in thought, broad in scope, authoritative, invaluable for spiritual aspirants and a delight for scholars, the sutras and the bhasva have, from hundreds of years ago to this day, been traditionally taught and studied by monks and analysed and debated upon much in the assemblies of distinguished scholars of Vedanta.

His Holiness Jagadguru Anantasri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the 36th Shankaracharya of the holy Sringeri Sharada Peetham, a nonpareil scholar of various sastras, inclusive of Nvava and vedanta, blessed His innumerable disciples with eleven benedictory discourses on the Brahma- sutras and the bhasya thereon during His observance of the coturmasva-vrata in Chennai from 3.7.2012 to 30.9.2012. These were delivered in Tamil and each was for 30 minutes. Notwithstanding the profundity and technicality of the subject matter, His Holiness, in His inimitable style, ensured that the import of the portions of the sutras and bhasya covered by Him was unequivocally and easily intelligible to everyone who had the good fortune of hearing Him. The eleven benedictory discourses comprise one series of seven and another series of four address. This book contains the set of seven talks, edited and rendered into English.

Foreword

It had been a long cherished desire and earnest prayer of the citizens of Chennai that His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal, the 36th Shankaracharya of the holy Sringeri Sharada Peetham, yet again bless the city, as the previous visit of His Holiness to Chennai was way back in the year 1995. Bringing much joy to the hearts of His many disciples, His Holiness, who had set out from Sringeri on a vijaya-yatra early this year, arrived in the city to a grand and rousing reception on 14.6.2012. The joy of the citizens knew no bounds when the Jagadguru compassionately decided to observe the ceturmasya-vrata and also Navaratri in the city.

During the ceturmasya-vrata of His Holiness from 3.7.2012 to 30.9.2012, acquiescing to the prayers of His disciples, His Holiness delivered benedictory speeches on all Wednesdays, Sundays and on special occasions, except on ekadasi days on which the Jagadguru observed silence. A nonpareil scholar of various sastras, inclusive of Nyaya and Vedanta, His Holiness blessed His audience with eleven benedictory discourses on select portions of the Brahmasutras along with Bhagavatpada's bhasya thereon. The talks were delivered in Tamil and each was of thirty minutes duration. Notwithstanding the profundity and technicality of the subject matter, His Holiness, in His inimitable style, ensured that the import of the sutras and the bhasya expounded by Him was unequivocally and easily intelligible to everyone who had the great good fortune of hearing Him. The eleven discourses comprise one series of seven and another series of four addresses. This book contains the set of seven speeches, edited and rendered into English.

We have immense pleasure in publishing this book and dedicating it at the Lotus Feet of the Jagadguru. We hope that this book will greatly benefit all spiritual seekers .

Contents