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The stylistics of the adhikarana are standard. Almost every adhikarana begins with the indication of a text and the posing of a doubt regarding it; even issues which might appear able to be handled just as well without textual reference are framed in that way. Here, by way of example, are Sankara's introductions to the adhikaranas of UMS I.1.12-28, the first of which revolves around Taittirrya Upanisad 2, a text we have already examined:
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I.1.12 After presenting successively the selves consisting of food, vital breath, mind, knowledge, it is stated, "Different from this one consisting of knowledge, there is the inner self consisting of bliss (ananda-maya)"Here the doubt arises: is the supreme Brahman, presented in "Brahman is truth, knowledge, infinite," spoken of here by the word "consisting of bliss," or is it rather some other entity, like the selves consisting of food, etc., other than Brahman? |
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I.1.20 It is stated in the upanisad: "Now, again, he, the Man, that is seen in the sun is golden in colour; his beard is golden . . . This Man that is such, remains lifted above all sins. Anyone meditating thus does certainly rise above sins." [Chandogya 1.6.6-8] . . . Here rises the doubt: is the "Man" a human being who had attained a high eminence on account of the extent of his meditation and action, or is he the ever perfect Lord? |
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I.1.22 An upanisad states: "[Salavatya] asked: "What is the goal of this world?" [Pravahana Jaivali] answered, "Space. For all things certainly originate from space; and they merge by moving toward space . . ." [Chandogya 1.9.1] With regard to this the doubt arises: Does the word "space" mean the supreme Brahman, or material space? |
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I.1.23 The word prana is found to be used in the sense of Brahman in such texts as, "O amiable one, the mind is tethered to the prana . . . " [Chandogya 6.8.2] But the more familiar usage, in ordinary life as well as in the Veda, is in the sense of the vital force that is a form of air [energy]. Therefore the doubt arises here as to which of the two should be reasonably accepted here. |
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I.1.24 An upanisad says: "Then that [light] that shines in the excellent unsurpassable worlds above this heaven, above |
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