IV-3 Śrī Bhāshya | Rāmānuja | 3-4
Topic 3 - After reaching the deity identified with lightning the soul reaches the world of Varuṇa
Sutra 4,3.3
तडितोऽधि वरुणः संबन्धात् ॥ ३ ॥
taḍito’dhi varuṇaḥ saṃbandhāt || 3 ||
taḍito’dhi—After the deity of lightning; varuṇaḥ—(comes) Varuṇa (rain-god); saṃbandhāt—on account of the connection.
3. After (reaching) the deity of lightning (the soul reaches) Varuṇa, on account of the connection (between the two).
According to the text of the Kaushitaki the soul goes on to the world of Vāyu, to the world of Varuṇa, to the world of Indra, to the world of Prajāpati, to the world of Brahman. The doubt here arises whether Varuṇa and the divinities of the following stages are to be inserted in the series after Vāyu, in agreement with the order of enumeration in the text of the Kaushitaki; or at the end of the whole series as stated in the Chāṇḍogya. Up. (IV, 15, 5), Varuṇa thus coming after lightning.--The decision is in favour of the latter view because Varuṇa, the god of waters, is naturally connected with lightning which dwells within the clouds.
--This terminates the Adhikaraṇa of 'Varuṇa.'
Topic 4 - Flame etc. referred to in the text describing the path of the gods mean deities identified with the flame etc., which conduct the soul stage after stage till Brahmaloka is reached
Sutra 4,3.4
आतिवाहिकाः, तल्लिङ्गात् ॥ ४ ॥
ātivāhikāḥ, talliṅgāt || 4 ||
ātivāhikāḥ—(These are) deities conducting the soul; tat-liṅgāt—on account of indicatory marks of that.
4. (These are) deities conducting the soul (on the path of the gods), on account of indicatory marks to that effect.
The decision here is that light, Vāyu, and the rest mentioned in the texts as connected with the soul's progress on the path of the Gods are to be interpreted not as mere marks indicating the road, nor as places of enjoyment for the soul, but as divinities appointed by the Supreme Person to conduct the soul along the stages of the road; for this is indicated by what the Chāṇḍogya. says with regard to the last stage, viz. lightning, 'There is a person not human, he leads them to Brahman.' What here is said as to that person not human, viz. that he leads the soul, is to be extended to the other beings also, light and the rest.--But if that not human person leads the souls from lightning to Brahman, what then about Varuṇa, Indra, and Prajāpati, who, as was decided above, are in charge of stages beyond lightning? Do they also lead the soul along their stages?
Sutra 4,3.6
वैद्युतेनैव ततः, तच्छ्रुतेः ॥ ६ ॥
vaidyutenaiva tataḥ, tacchruteḥ || 6 ||
vaidyutena—By (the superhuman) guide connected with lightning; eva—alone; tataḥ—from thence; tat-śruteḥ—that being known from the Śruti.
6. From thence (the souls are guided) by the very same (superhuman) person who comes to lightning, that being known from the Śruti.
The only leader from lightning up to Brahman is the not-human person connected with lightning; for the text states this directly. Varuṇa, Indra, and Prajāpati take part in the work in so far only as they may assist the person connected with lightning.
--Here terminates the Adhikaraṇa of 'the conductors.'