समस्तगुणसम्पूर्णं सर्वदोषविवर्जितम् ।

नारायणं नमस्वंकृत्य गीतातात्पर्यमुच्यते ।।

Sri Madhwacharya has composed two commentaries on Srimad Bhagavad Gita. They are Gita Bhashya and Gita Tatparya Nirnaya. While the Gita Bhashya has been compared to the glowing Sun, Gita Tatparya Nirnaya is like the glittering moon, providing additional clarity on the esoteric meanings of Srimad Bhagavad Gita.

Prologue

Gita Tatparya, true to its name, sets off by providing the essence (Tatparya) of Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Not only that, it even goes farther and presents the quintessence of entire scriptures. Gita Verses are freely quoted to support the views extended thereby proving that Srimad Bhagavad Gita itself is the essence of all scriptures.

What is the essence of all scriptures?

Gita Tatparya, at the outset, gives the gist of the scriptures to be “The greatest Dharma of an individual is to devoutly perform one’s prescribed duties as a service unto God without expecting mundane benefits. Everything else is Adharma”. The famous words of Sri Madhwacharya सर्वं च एतत् अत्रैव अवगम्यते categorically state that such essence of the entire scriptures is verily known by the study of Srimad Bhagavad Gita itself.

Style of Gita Tatparya

The style employed in Gita Tatparya is very unique. First a brief statement about the chief purport of a complete chapter is given. Then, for selected verses where there is a chance of misinterpretation, a succinct comment is added suggesting the right interpretation. Then authentic scriptural verses are quoted to substantiate the suggested interpretation. Sometimes fresh ideas and interpretations are given which reveal the richness in the Gita thought. All such interpretation is also substantiated by valid scriptural references.

The chief aim of Gita Tatparya is not to give word-to-word meaning of the verses but to deliver the essence of Srimad Bhagavad Gita so that it is easily digestible. Therefore, points that are dealt with concisely in Bhagavad Gita Bhashya are expanded in Gita Tatparya and vice-versa.

Gita and Karma Sanyasa

In Srimad Bhagavad Gita, Lord Sri Krishna apparently proposes two paths for divine experience 1. Karma Yoga 2.Karma Sanyasa. Many a commentator other than Sri Madhwacharya has interpreted Karma Sanyasa to mean absolute abstinence from performing of Actions. But Sri Madhwacharya reveals the true purport of Lord Sri Krishna’s teachings about Karma Sanyasa. No one can exist without doing any actions even for a second. Hence Karma Sanyasa is not about leaving all actions but it is about proper application of thought before, during and after the performance of each action.

Unique Features of Gita Tatparya

» Clarification on several key doctrines of Tattvavada

» Excellent Critique of Other Schools of Thought

» Refutation of identity of Souls with Brahman

» Alternative Interpretation of Vedic Passages

» The Concept of Sakshi

» The Concept of Vishesha

» Collating points that are spread across

» Clarifying the position of Gita Bhashya

» Bringing out points that are not specifically mentioned in Gita Bhashya

» Bringing out the manifold meanings of Srimad Bhagavad Gita

» Quoting from very rare dictionaries like Shabda Kosha

Closing Statements

Sri Madhwacharya ends the Gita Tatparya by bowing to Lord Sri Vishnu as having all the attributes that were expounded as belonging to Himin Srimad Bhagavad Gita. He also reveals his identity for the benefit of all his disciples as the third incarnation of Lord Vayu. Hanuman and Bheemawere his two previous incarnations. In this third incarnation as Madhwacharya, he composed several texts including Gita Tatparya and submitted at the feet of Lord Vishnu Himself.

निःशेषदोषरिहतकल्याणाखिलसद्गुण ।

भूतिस्वयम्भुशर्वादिवन्द्यं त्वां नौमि मे प्रियम् ।।

नारायणं गुणैस्सर्वैरुदीर्णं दोषवर्जितम् ।

ज्ञेयं गम्यं गुरूंश्चापि नत्वा सूत्रार्थ उच्यते ।।

Vedas are the fountain heads of all knowledge. They are comparable to that well-wisher whose mission is to bring eternal well-being to mankind. Because of the esoteric nature of the Vedas, their correct intent is difficult to ascertain. At the behest of the Devas, the Brahma Sutras were composed by Bhagavan Vedavyasa, who is none other than Lord Vishnu Himself, to lay down a framework for the correct interpretation of the Vedas.

The Brahma Sutras are in the form of aphorisms arranged in 4 chapters – Samanvaya, Avirodha, Sadhana and Phala). Each of the Adhyayas are further divided into 4 sections or Padas. Each section has a unique theme and deals with several topics called Adhikaranas pertaining to that theme. Each Adhikarana discusses the meaning of a particular Vedic Passage under question. First the view of the prevailing misconceptions (called the Purvapaksha) is stated and the Siddhanta (Final Conclusion) is provided. There are, in all, 222 Adhikaranas and a total of 564 sutras in the Brahma Sutras. Together, the entire Sutras support the inquiry of the Brahman through the Vedas for obtaining salvation from sorrowful existence.

Brahma Sutra Bhashya

Brahma Sutra Bhashya was composed by Sriman Madhwacharya, by the order of Bhagavan Vedavyasa Himself. It is a work of great importance. Bhashya is considered to be the most significant text for any philosophical system. Traditionally, philosophers of this country have written Bhashyas on the Prasthanatrayi – Geeta, Upanishads and Brahma Sutras. Brahma Sutra Bhashya stands out among all other Bhashyas for its importance, style and presentation. Brahma Sutra Bhashya Anyone wishing to read the Sutra grantha should necessarily take the help of Sutra Bhashya. One is warned against directly interpreting the Sutra text without referring to the Bhashya. Seeing the 21 previous Bhashyas written on Brahma Sutras did not faithfully give the correct interpretation of the Vedas, Sri Acharya composed an irrefutable Bhashya which faithfully brings home the right purport of the Brahma Sutras.

Commentaries on Brahma Sutra Bhashya

Several commentaries and sub-commentaries have been written on the Brahma Sutra Bhashya. Sri Padmanabha Tirtha composed Sattarka Dipavali and Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya composed Tattvapradipika. Sri Jayateertha composed a well-organized and detailed commentary by the name Tattvaprakashika. Tattvaprakashika has earned the status of a celebrated commentary and a great treasure of Vedantic thought.

Salient Features of Brahma Sutra Bhashya

» Bhashya is very brief yet profound.

» A scholarly masterpiece par excellence.

» Bhashya reveals to the reader the reason for the compilation of the Brahma Sutras by Bhagavan Vedavyasa.

» Introduces the rich Sutra tradition and discusses the use of OM and ATHA for the purpose of invocation.

» Employs the 6 methods of interpretation viz., Upakrama, Upasamhara, Apurvata, Phala, Arthavada and Upapatti subject to an ascending order of precedence to fix the meanings of the disputed Vedic statements.

» Acharya’s Sutra Bhashya is unique in accepting Vedic Passages for discussion unlike other Bhashyakaras who have resitrcted themselves to only Upanishadic Passages.

» Rebuilds the entire scheme of Sutras as per the authority to bring home a cohesive, integral theme of Guna Poornatva of Lord Vishnu for the entire set of Brahma Sutras.It takes a realistic view of the world and emphasizes that all Vedas speak about the Brahman as the Supreme Being fully in control of the vast universe made up sentient and insentient beings. 

» The manifold nature of Brahma Sutras is richly depicted.

» Every statement of Bhashya has manifold meanings which only a person of divine origin can understand.

» Places the Brahma Mimamsa Shastra at the pinnacle of all Shastras. It is defined as that interpretative logic on which the validity of all Agamas is in turn dependent upon.

» It is so simple that even a child can understand, yet so profound, that even the Master’s find it difficult.

Conclusion

Brahma Sutra Bhashya is the central text for Tattvavada Philosophy propounded by Sri Madhwacharya. It injects a fresh fragrance of interpretive diligence to Vedic exegesis. It borrows from vast literature of ancient Vedic and Pancharatra texts to reconstruct a tradition that was lost to posterity. A living tradition based on the principles enshrined in it is brought into existence. Lord Vayu who appeared as Hanuman and served Lord Rama and as Bheema and served Lord Krishna, in his third incarnation as Acharya Madhwa, fulfilled this as a great service to Bhagavan Vedavyasa. Those who keep repeating the Bhashya with staunch devotion would surely reach the abode of Lord and enjoy great bliss.

नित्यानन्दो हरिः पूर्णो नित्यदा प्रीयतां मम ।

नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै नमस्तस्मै च विष्णवे ।।

नारायणं निखिलपूर्णगुणैकदेहं

निर्दोषमाप्यतममप्यखिलैः सुवाक्यैः ।

अस्योद्भवादिदमशेषविशेषतोपि 

वन्द्यं सदा प्रियतमं मम सन्नमामि ।। 

Anuvyakhyana is a work that enjoys greatest respect in Dvaita Tradition. It is the most elaborate among the four works - Sutra Bhashya, Anuvyakhyana, Nyaya Vivarana and Anu Bhashya written on the Brahma Sutras by Sri Madhwacharya. It is a fitting supplement to the Brahma Sutra Bhashya. It is a long work of 1919 metrical verses arranged according to the Adhyaya and Pada scheme of the Brahma Sutras as revealed in the Bhashya.

Need for Anuvyakhyana

Anuvyakhyana is composed at the request of his favourite disciple – Sri Trivikrama Panditacharya. Awed by the depth of logical thought that Sri Madhwacharya has packed into the terse Brahma Sutra Bhashya, and concerned that such depth of logical thought is incomprehensible to ordinary mortals, Sri Panditacharya placed a request before Sri Acharya to elucidate the Brahama Sutra Bhashya by a more detailed presentation of the logical thought enshrined in it. Acharya favourably responded by dictating with ease, the four chapters of Anuvyakhyana, simultaneously, to four of his disciples. This speaks volumes about the unfathomable intellectual capacity of Sri Acharya.

Central Theme

The central theme of Anuvyakhyana is to establish the Gunapoornatva of Lord Vishnu by way of making a thorough review of all the systems of philosophy w.r.t. their epistemological, ontological and soteriological standpoints. It also reviews such schools of thought that were suggested but not elaborated by the sutras.

Difference in Style

Bhashya, true to its definition, keeps a strict coherence to the Sutra text. Anuvyakhyana on the other hand enjoys a higher freedom in covering the concepts. While the Bhashya is terse and concise, Anuvyakhyana is elaborate and appropriately fills in the gaps in understanding the deeper intent of the Bhashya. In this way, its relationship to Sutra Bhashya is similar to what Gita Tatparya is to Gita Bhashya.

Salient Features

» Serves as an fitting companion to Sutra Bhashya.

» Serves as a reference manual for final philosophical standpoints of Tattvavada.

» Its central objective is to impress upon the reader to conduct an inquiry into the nature of Brahman and know Him to be Supreme with infinite auspicious attributes and devoid of all blemishes. It is with this knowledge coupled by utmost devotion towards the Lord that the devotee would cross over the shackles of bondage. Those who are liberated from the Samsara permanently move to a blissful state called Moksha, where there is neither death nor sorrow.

» Employs shrewd and astounding logic while it reviews and refutes other schools of thought.

» Exhibits full command on the language and style of polemical debates.

» All important epistemological, ontological and soteriological issues are discussed and final standpoints are presented.

» Draws from old authentic treatises such as Brahma Tarka, several of which have been lost to posterity.

» Reviews all major systems of Indian Philosophy – Sankhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Prabhakara, Bhatta, Buddha, Jaina, Pashupata, Advaita, Vishishtadvaita etc.

» Primarily refutes the theory of illusion and substantiates a realistic viewpoint about the Universe.

» Discusses the meanings of several Shruti passages and presents their correct interpretation.

» Succinctly summarizes the Purva Paksha and Siddhanta positions for each Adhikarana in the form of maxims called Nyayas.

Conclusion

Anuvyakhyana is one of the chief texts written by Sri Madhwacharya. Written to clarify and expand the thoughts presented in his own work Brahma Sutra Bhashya, Anuvyakhyana has attracted maximum attention of the followers of this tradition. All graduating scholars study this text along with its commentary Sriman Nyaya Sudha as the final text of their 16 year long education. Considered as the most auspicious text, many devotees do not partake even a sip of water before reciting this holy text.

निःशेषदोषरहितकल्याणाखिलसद्गुण ।

भूतिस्वयंभुशर्वादिवन्द्यं त्वां नौमि मे प्रियम् ।।

चेतनाचेतनजगन्नयन्त्रेशेष संविदे ।

नमो नारायणायाजशर्वशक्रादिवन्दित ।।

Nyaya Vivarana, is the one of the four texts written by Sri Madhwacharya on the Brahma Sutras. It serves as a companion text to both the Sutra Bhashya and Anuvyakhyana. It is the elaboration of the maxims or Nyayas succinctly summarized under each Adhikarana in the Anuvyakhyana.

Need for Nyaya Vivarana

Sutras are presented in the form of very terse aphorisms whose meaning can only be fathomed by digging deep into the context in which the sutra appears and the particular issue(s) it chooses to address. Arranging the sutras into Adhyaya, Pada, Adhikarana format is taken up in the Sutra Bhashya. By doing this, Sutra Bhashya has successfully set the context of each sutra. Acharya states at the end of this work that he composed this work for the benefit of those of lesser intellect.

Commentaries

Sri Jayateertha has written an erudite commentary on the Nyaya Vivarana. Sri Raghuttama Tirtha’s Bhava Bodha and Aeri Balacharya’s commentary are the two sub-commentaries available on Sri Jayateertha’s commentary.

Salient Features

» The Purva Paksha and Siddhanta Nyayas are summarized for each Adhikarana

» Sometimes more than one Adhikarana is summarized together.

» Summaries are very brief usually presented in small phrases and extending to few lines.

» Very helpful in revisiting the gist of Brahma Sutras in a very short time.

» In addition to the maxims, the supporting Shruti and Smriti texts are also quoted.

» The gist of the Sutras, which is difficult to comprehend only from the Sutra Bhashya or Anuvyakhyana, is presented clearly in simple language for easy comprehension.

Conclusion

Nyaya Vivarna is a companion text to Anu Vyakhyana whose purpose is to elaborate upon the Nyayamala (Garland of Maxims) summarised in Anu Vyakhyana.

Before signing off, Sri Madhwacharya says - This text is written for those who are not fit enough to fathom the vast ocean of Nyaya Mimamsa.

Though this text reduces the complexity for the laymen, for the experts this itself is a means to deeper knowledge. Even the experts sometimes would be benefitted by this concise presentation. It is true that no one would be qualified enough to completely understand this vast ocean of knowledge. It is no wonder therefore, that, myself, the third incarnation of Lord Vayu, has presented this knowledge in a concise as well as in exhaustive manner, only due to the grace of the Lord. Let the Lord be pleased by all this, which actually happened due to Him only.

नमोजभवभूर्यक्षपुरस्सरसुराश्रय ।

नारायणारणं मह्यं मापते प्रेयसां प्रिय ।।