PREFACE. is an exposi- This work, named Brahma-tatva-prakâsikâ, tion of the Brahma Sûtras,-the aphorisms of the Vedânta Philosophy. The meaning and significance of every Sutra are presented in this work in such a succinct manner, that as soon as they are grasped, the conceptions formed from the study of the Commentary of Sri Cankarâchârya may at once be recalled to the mind of the student, and also that this Vritti (exposition) may render comparatively greater assist- ance to those desirous of entering upon the study of the Vedânta Sâstra, than other Vrittis in use. There is another Vritti larger than this, called Bralımâ- mrita-varshinî, which will be published as one of this Sanskrit Series before long. As not only the method of treatment of that larger work, but its sentences also are largely found in this Brahma-tatva-prakasika, it seems that this work is an abridged form of the other. The author of this work is one high-souled sage, Sada- sivendra Sarasvatî by name, and known also as Sadâsiva- brahmendra. About 150 years ago, he lived in the villages, Nerur, Kotimuti, &c. on the bank of the Kaveri, and Karur, on the bank of the Amrâvati, his deeds exciting wonder and his life being almost like that of one who had attained to the true knowledge of the Supreme Spirit and been liberated from worldly ties in this life itself. The place of his interment at Nerur is even now an object of reverence for the people. A wide description of his deeds is given in a Tamil work, called Ascharya-darpana.
