Sutra (aphorism) enshrines, in a few words, vast expanses of
meaning, vast depths of fundamental significance. The Brahma
Sutras build up the science of Vedantha. They gather multicoloured
flowers from all the Upanishads and string them together to form
an enchanting garland. Each Sutra can be elaborated and explained
in a number of learned ways, according to each one's
understanding, faith, preference, experience and pleasure.
The very first Sutra is "Athaatho Brahma Jijnaasaa". The
initial Atha has many literal meanings. But, in this Sutra, the
most appropriate sense is: "Thereafter". So, "After what?" is the
question that arises. It is obvious that it refers to Brahma
Jijnaasa, 'the yearning to understand the nature of Brahman'. It
means, "After such a yearning has dawned". How can this yearning
emerge? It can come into the mind only after one acquires proper
qualifications. "Thereafter" means, "after equipping oneself with
these qualifications."
Jijnaasa cannot yield fruit if the Vedas are merely studied.
The Vedas deal with Dharma. For understanding Brahman, Vedantha
has to be studied.
Among the preliminary qualifications for Brahma Jijnaasa, the
first is Viveka: Discrimination between the transitory and
the eternal. In other words, the discovery that the Atma alone is
beyond Time, and that all objects perceivable by the senses of
sight, etc., are only transitory. The Atma alone suffers no
change. It alone is Nitya Sathya (Timeless Truth). As a result of
prolonged investigation, one has to gain this unshakable
conviction and be established in it.