Brahma Sūtra 3.1.7
Śaṅkara
Advaita Vedānta
Sūtra
भाक्तं वाऽनात्मवित्त्वात्तथाहि दर्शयति
bhāktaṃ vā'nātmavittvāttathāhi darśayati
Sūtra translation
Or (the souls’ being the food of the gods is) metaphorical, on account of their not knowing the Self. For thus (scripture) declares.
The word ‘or’ is meant to set aside the started objection. The souls’ being food has to be understood in a metaphorical, not a
Rāmānuja
Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta
Sūtra
भाक्तं वानात्मवित्त्वात्तथा हि दर्शयति
bhāktaṃ vānātmavittvāttathā hi darśayati
Sūtra translation
Or it is metaphorical, on account of their not knowing the Self. For thus Scripture declares.
He who performs sacrifices, and so on, and thus does not know the Self, is here below and in yonder world a mere means
Madhva
Dvaita Vedānta
Sūtra
भाक्तं वाऽनात्मवित्त्वात्तथाहि दर्शयति
bhāktaṃ vā'nātmavittvāttathāhi darśayati
Sūtra translation
(The attainment of immortality by works, stated in Scripture is a qualified (partial) one (i.e., limited in time), on account of their (Saorificers’) not knowing the Lord ; or (on ac- count of the works producing fruits only through knowledge), for Scripture (distinctly) shows that.
The immortality spoken of in the Sruti quoted above is one of a limited character (i.e., limited in time). For the absolute immortality would