The System of the Vedanta according to Badarayana's Brahma-Sutras and Cankara's Commentary c9.s2.t1: 1. Introduction
The System of the Vedânta according to Bâdarâyana's Brahma-Sûtras and Çankara's Commentary c9.s2.t1
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1. Introduction
c9.s2.t1.1
Çvetaketu, the son of Āruṇi (cf. above p. 262), comes to the assembly of the Pañcālas. There king Pravāhaṇa, son of Jibala, asks him five questions:
c9.s2.t1.2
1. "Knowest thou whither the creatures go from hence?"
2. "Knowest thou how they return hither again?"
3. "Knowest thou the parting of the two ways, the Path of the Gods and the Path of the Fathers?"
4. "Knowest thou why that world does not become full?"
5. "Knowest thou how at the fifth offering the waters speak with human voice?"
c9.s2.t1.3
To all these questions Çvetaketu knows no answer. Downcast, he comes to his father and complains that he has been inadequately taught by him. The latter declares that he himself is unable to answer the questions asked. Both then set out and come to the king who grants Āruṇi a boon. As this boon Āruṇi chooses the solution of the questions asked, and after some resistance the king consents to impart the following instructions to him and says he is the first Brahman who had received them (cf. above p. 18).