Chapter Four (चतुर्थोऽध्यायः॥)

“Viṣṇu is Brahman and likewise the Lord” — meditation in this manner should be practised constantly, even in adversity. Through such meditation, Brahman becomes directly apprehended. (1)

All undesirable karma other than prārabdha, whether pertaining to the period before or after the rise of knowledge, is completely exhausted through knowledge alone; all remaining karma is exhausted through experience. (2)

Those proceeding toward liberation enter successively higher beings, up to Vāyu, and experience enjoyments either within them or outside them. Vāyu, in turn, enters Viṣṇu Himself. Their enjoyments are progressively higher. Human beings attain liberation by departing from their bodies, while the gods attain it through the dissolution of their bodies. The higher souls, beginning with the highest among human beings, reach Vāyu by the path beginning with flame and, through him, attain Janārdana, proceeding from Brahmaloka together with him. (3–5)

Their enjoyments accord with their will, and they possess bodies of consciousness and bliss, but they do not possess the supreme powers relating to the creation of the universe and the like. They possess powers according to their desire and, except for those naturally superior to them, are subject to no one else. Free from increase and decrease, they rejoice eternally and without interruption in happiness devoid of sorrow and the like. (6–7)

This compendium of the meaning of all the scriptures was composed by the sage Pūrṇaprajña. May the Supreme Self, the Lord of Ramā, be pleased by it. (8)

Obeisance, obeisance to You, the Lord of Śrī, who are far removed from every defect, whose nature is replete with perfect qualities, and who are worthy of praise and worship by Viriñci, Śarva, and others. (9)

Thus ends the fourth chapter.

Thus the Aṇubhāṣya on the Brahma Sūtras, composed by the venerable Ānandatīrtha Bhagavatpādācārya, is complete.