Concerning Bhagavadgita III, 15
By F. Otto Schneider
Summary
The paper "The Sacrificial Wheel taught in the Bhagavadgita" (ILHQ, Kh. V, pp. 173ff) explores the interpretation of *brakma* in Bhagavadgita III, 15, suggesting it may mean *mokad brakma* (Bhagavadgita XIV, 3: *mama yonir mokad brakina*), referring to the material cause (*prakrti*) rather than the supreme reality. The author notes that *brakma* in Bhagavadgita X has dual meanings: generally denoting the supreme, but in some contexts (XIV, 3, 4, and possibly IV, 10) referring to *avyakta* or *mula-prakrti* as an inseparable aspect of the divine. This *prakrti*, co-existing with the Lord as His instrument, cannot be created, as it is the source of all manifestations. The text argues that *brakma* in III, 15 is excluded by *samudbhavam*, which implies the Lord as the origin, not the material cause. Corrections to the original paper include textual emendations (e.g., *brakmiksara* for *brakmikgra*). A related discussion addresses Saradatanaya’s *Bhavaprakasa*, clarifying that a purported commentary on it is actually a grammatical work, not a dramatic treatise. The author confirms the existence of a genuine commentary manuscript, comparing it favorably to Bhoja’s *Spigaraprakasa*.
Conclusion
This analysis of Bhagavadgita III, 15 elucidates the nuanced interplay between *brakma* as cosmic principle and its relationship with *prakrti*, clarifying that the latter, while instrumental in creation, remains distinct from the unmanifest *akshara*. The text emphasizes *brakma*'s transcendence, contrasting it with material interpretations and reinforcing its role as the ultimate, unchanging reality. By addressing textual ambiguities and contextual meanings, the study underscores the philosophical distinction between divine immanence and the material cause, offering a refined understanding of the Gita's metaphysical framework. The corrections noted further solidify the textual integrity, ensuring accurate interpretation of *brakma*'s dual significance in creation and transcendence.