Athato Brahma Jijnasa (Brahma Sutra 1.1.1) — Word-by-Word Meaning

अथातो ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

अथ

atha

Now (an auspicious word; here also meaning 'after' the prerequisites have been fulfilled)

अतः

ataḥ

Therefore, hence (because the fruits of ritual are impermanent, the enquiry into Brahman is undertaken)

ब्रह्म

brahma

Brahman, the supreme, infinite Reality

जिज्ञासा

jijñāsā

The desire to know, enquiry, deliberate investigation

ब्रह्मजिज्ञासा

brahma-jijñāsā

The enquiry into Brahman — the disciplined desire to know the Absolute (the subject of the whole Brahma Sutra)

अथातः

athātaḥ

Now therefore (atha + ataḥ in sandhi) — the benedictory and connective opening of the work

जिज्ञास्

jijñās

The desiderative of the root 'jñā' (to know) — to wish to know; the basis of the word jijñāsā

ब्रह्मणः जिज्ञासा

brahmaṇaḥ jijñāsā

The enquiry of/into Brahman — Brahman is the object that is to be known

जन्मादि

janmādi

Origin and the rest (creation, sustenance and dissolution)

अस्य यतः

asya yataḥ

Of this (universe), from which — defining Brahman (sutra 2) as that from which the universe arises

शास्त्रयोनित्वात्

śāstra-yonitvāt

Because the scripture is the source (of the knowledge of Brahman) — sutra 3, that Brahman is known through scripture

तत् तु समन्वयात्

tat tu samanvayāt

But that (Brahman is the purport of all scripture) on account of harmony/consistency — sutra 4, that all the Upanishads converge on Brahman

Complete Translation

Now, therefore, (begins) the enquiry into Brahman. (1.1.1) Brahman is that from which the origin, sustenance and dissolution of this universe proceed. (1.1.2) Because the scriptures are the source (of its knowledge). (1.1.3) But that (Brahman is the harmonious purport of all the scriptures), because of their consistent import. (1.1.4)

Origin & History

Source: Brahma Sutra (Vedanta Sutra) 1.1.1

Author: Sage Badarayana (traditionally identified with Vyasa)

Period: Ancient (classical period of Vedanta)

The Brahma Sutra begins, like the other great philosophical works, with the words 'Atha ataḥ' — 'Now, therefore.' The commentators explain that 'now' indicates the time after the seeker has acquired the fourfold qualification — discrimination, dispassion, the sixfold virtues, and the longing for liberation — and 'therefore' indicates the reason: having seen that the fruits of ritual are impermanent, one turns to the eternal. With this the sage Badarayana announces the subject of his entire work: the enquiry into Brahman. The following sutra then defines Brahman as that from which the origin and sustenance of this universe proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'Athato Brahma Jijnasa' mean?▼

It means 'Now, therefore, (begins) the enquiry into Brahman.' It is the first aphorism of the Brahma Sutra, declaring that the seeker now undertakes the deliberate desire to know Brahman, the infinite Reality.

What is the Brahma Sutra?▼

The Brahma Sutra (also called Vedanta Sutra or Shariraka Sutra) is a work of aphorisms composed by the sage Badarayana (identified with Vyasa) that organizes and reconciles the teachings of the Upanishads on Brahman. It is one of the three foundational texts (Prasthana Traya) of Vedanta, alongside the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.

Why does it begin with 'atha ataḥ' (now, therefore)?▼

'Atha' (now) is an auspicious opening and indicates that the enquiry follows after the seeker has gained the needed qualifications. 'Ataḥ' (therefore) gives the reason: since the results of ritual action are impermanent, one turns to the knowledge of Brahman, which alone gives lasting liberation.

What is 'jijnasa'?▼

Jijnasa is the desire to know — a disciplined, earnest enquiry. Here it is the enquiry into Brahman, pursued through hearing the scriptures (shravana), reflection (manana) and deep meditation (nididhyasana) until direct knowledge of the Self as Brahman dawns.

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