Brahma Sutras

by Swami Sivananda

CHAPTER FOUR: PHALA ADHYAYA

Section 2: Vagadilayadhikaranam: Topic 7 (Sutra 15)

The Pranas (organs) and elements of the knower of the Nirguna Brahman get merged in It at death.

Tani pare tatha hyaha IV.2.15 (511)

Those (Pranas, elements) (are merged) in the Supreme Brahman, for thus the (scripture) says.

Tani: those; Pare: in the Supreme Brahman; Tatha: thus, so; Hi: because; Aha: (the Sruti) says.

Those, i.e., sense-organs denoted by the term 'Prana' and the elements of him who knows the Supreme Brahman are merged when he dies in the same Supreme Brahman. Why? Because scripture declares that "Thus these sixteen parts of this witness, the Purusha, having their goal in Him are dissolved on reaching Him in Him" (Pras. Up. VI.5).

But another text which refers to him who knows teaches that the parts also are merged in something different from the Highest Self. "The fifteen parts enter into their elements" (Mun. Up. III.2.7). No, we reply. This latter passage is concerned with the ordinary view of the matter. It intimates the end from a relative stand-point, according to which the whole aggregate of the parts of him who knows the Supreme Brahman is merged in Brahman only, just as the illusory snake is merged in the rope.

There is thus no contradiction.

Though ordinarily the senses and the elements merge in their causal substances, yet in the case of the Jnani they merge in Brahman.