Essay name: Srikara Bhashya (commentary)
Author: C. Hayavadana Rao
The Srikara Bhashya, authored by Sripati Panditacharya in the 15th century, presents a comprehensive commentary on the Vedanta-Sutras of Badarayana (also known as the Brahmasutra). These pages represent the introduction portion of the publication by C. Hayavadana Rao.
Page 569 of: Srikara Bhashya (commentary)
569 (of 953)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
508
INTRODUCTION
into creation which involves the bondage of karma?
Because Siva, even though He is All-Grace and capable
of granting salvation simultaneously to all jivas who
deserve it, yet, just as the overlord of a kingdom,
kingdom,
who
feeling glad over the faithful manner in which his sub-
ordinate has discharged the duties of his office, in strict
accordance with the laws of the realm, releases him from
his obligations, so does the Lord Siva dissolve the fetters
that tie the jivas to their karma, when they come to
fruition. Just as a father, in this world, seeing his son
behave in an unruly manner, does not receive him into
his grace, without first duly punishing him, even so is it
with Param膿艣vara. Without administering (the fruits)
of meritorious and evil deeds done by jivas, 滨艣惫补谤补 does
not grant His grace (svapr膩ptim na d膩syati). Even
the rays of the sun only open up the petals of the
unblossomed lotus (and not others); even so
even so
滨艣惫补谤补
releases only such jivas from the ties of bondage who
meditate upon and worship him with 艣ama, dama and
bhakti combined. Moreover, it would follow from Sruti
texts such as Esha 膿va sadhu karma k膩rayati tam 奴rdhva-
l艒kam nin墨shayati; Esha 膿v膩s膩dhu karma k膩rayati tam
adh艒l艒kam nin墨shayati, 885 etc., that it is Param膿艣vara alone
that determines the fate of the jivas and j墨vas themselves
individually hold no responsibility. But if it is said that the
sins of vaishamya and nairghrinya appertain not to the jivas
concerned but to Param膿艣vara, the reply is: "It is not
correct to say so." Even though j墨vas are not all-
capable and all-knowing like Param膿艣vara, yet the jivas
because of their capacity, it so happens, possess a little of
the responsibility and freewill (kinchit kartrutvamcha
sv膿chchay膩 sambhavati) (appertaining to them); the result of
the actions done out of their responsibility and freewill can-
not be denied to the jivas. Just as men and other beings
in this world take to their avocations as the sun puts forth
his rays of light at day-break, even so j墨vas in keeping
with the results of their respective karmas and by reason of
685 Brihad. Upa., VI. 4. 22.
