260 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
“This Sutra refutes Sutra 5. “It is followed by knowledge, work, and past experiences” (Brih. 4.4.2.). Here we have to take knowledge and work in a distributive sense, meaning that knowledge follows one and work another. Just as when we say a hundred be given to these two persons, we divide it into two halves and give each man fifty. There is no combination of the two. Even without this explanation Sutra 5 can be refuted. For the text quoted refers only to knowledge and work, which concern the transmigrating soul, and not an emancipated soul. For the passage,” Thus does the man who desires (transmigrate)” (Brih.
4.4.6.) shows that the previous text refers to the transmigrating self. And of the emancipated soul Shruti says, “But the man who never desires (never transmigrates)” etc. (Brih. 4.4.6.).
- (The scriptures enjoin work) only on those who have read the Vedas.
“This Sutra refutes Sutra 6. Those who have read the Vedas and known about the sacrifices are entitled to perform work. No work is prescribed for those who have knowledge of the Self from the Upanishads. Such a knowledge is incompatible with work.
- Because there is no special mention (of the Jaimini it does not(apply to him).
“This Sutra refutes Sutra 7. The text quoted there from the Isa Upanishad is a general statement, and there is no special mention in it that it is applicable to a Jnani also. In the absence of such a specification it is not binding on him.
- Or rather the permission (to do work) is for praising (Knowledge).
“The injunction to do work for the knowers of the Self is for the glorification of this Knowledge. The praise involved in it is this : A knower of the Self may work all his life, but on account of this Knowledge he will not be bound by its effects.
- And some according to their choice (have refrained from all work).
“In Sutra 3 it was said that Janaka and others were engaged in work even after Knowledge. This Sutra says that some have of their own accord given up all work. The point is that after Knowledge some may choose to work to set an example to others, while others may give up all work. There is no binding on the knowers of the Self as regards work.
- And (the scriptures say that the) destruction (of all qualifications for work results from Knowledge).