Brahma Sutras – According to Shankara 1-3-4

In the last section the word ‘Akṣara’, though it generally means syllable, was interpreted to refer to Brahman on account of the characteristic quality of supporting everything

and we had to go to the etymological meaning of the word Akṣara i.e.. that which does not perish or undergo change i.e. Brahman.

Similarly in the text to be taken up for discussion the opponent holds that on account of the attainment of Brahmaloka as the result of the meditation we have to take by the Highest Person the Lower Brahman or Hiraṇyagarbha which is relatively speaking higher, and not the Higher Brahman.

“Again he who meditates with the syllable ‘Om’ of three Mātrās (A-u-m), on the Highest Person” etc. (Pr. 5. 5).

A doubt arises whether the Highest Brahman or the Lower Brahman is meant, because, in 5.2 both are mentioned, and also because Brahmaloka is described as the fruit by the worship of this Highest Person.

The Sutra says that this Highest Person is the Highest Brahman and not Hiraṇyagarbha (the Lower Brahman). Why?

Because the paragraph ends thus: “He sees the Highest Person” which shows that he realizes or actually gets identified with the Highest Person.

It is not a mere imagination but an actuality, for the object of an act of seeing is an actuality, as we find from experience. But Hiraṇyagarbha is an imaginary being, since it is a product of ignorance.

Hence the Highest Person means the Highest Brahman, which is a reality, and this very Brahman is taught at the beginning of the paragraph as the object of meditation, for it is not possible to realize one entity by meditating on another.

The attainment of Brahmaloka by the worshipper should not be regarded as an insignificant fruit of the worship of the Highest Person, for it is a step in gradual emancipation (Krama Mukti). First he attains this Loka and then final beatitude.