The very first sutra is Atha Atah Brahmajijnasa. The initial atha has many literal meanings, but in this aphorism, the most appropriate sense is: ‘Thereafter’. So, the question ‘after what?’ arises. It is obvious that it refers to ‘the yearning to understand the nature of Brahman (Brahma jijnasa)’. The meaning is: ‘After such a yearning has dawned’. How can this yearning emerge? It can come into the mind only after one acquires proper qualifications. ‘Thereafter’ means, ‘after equipping oneself with these qualifications’. For understanding Brahman, Vedanta has to be studied. But yearning to know (jijnasa) cannot yield fruit if the Vedas are merely studied. (Sutra Vahini, p. 7)

The word Atha, with which the very first sutra begins, means ‘thereafter’ and, after the inquiry into its implications, it has been found that it involves the acquisition of the four attainments viveka, vairagya, the Six virtues and the Yearning for Liberation. (Sutra Vahini, p. 15)

The next word in too is Atah, the tha being soft means ‘for this reason’. The inquiry has therefore to be made; for which reason? For this reason that neither the examination of the texts of the Shastras nor the performance of rites and rituals, nor through the study of material objects, nor by the process of learning from the example of other men, can awareness of the Supreme, the Brahman be secured. Because objects and individuals, rites and activities are transitory. They suffer from decay and destruction. They can at best help the cleansing of the mind that is all. Karma cannot liberate one from the basic ignorance or award the awareness of the reality as Brahman. One has to be conscious of this limitation in order to win the right of inquiry into the mystery of the Brahman, the source and core of the Cosmos. The Sutra stresses on one lesson: He who devotes his life to earn the knowledge of the Atma that is his self, must possess holy virtues and he must mould his conduct and contacts sacrosanct. For, no knowledge can be higher than virtuous character. Character is power, really speaking. For the person who has dedicated his years to the acquisition of higher learning, ever-good character is an indispensable qualification. Every religion emphasises the same need, not as a special condition, but as the basis of spiritual life and conduct itself. Those who lead lives on these lines can never come to harm. They will be endowed with sacred merit. (Sutra Vahini, p. 16)