aj

By the term ajâ we have to understand the causal matter of the four classes of beings, which matter has sprung from the highest Lord and begins with light, i.e. comprises fire, water, and earth.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

/S/a@nkara's explanation the term ajâ presents no difficulties, for mâyâ is ajâ, i.e. unborn, not produced.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

There is therefore nothing contrary to reason in the circumstance of the term ajâ being used to denote the aggregate of fire, water, and earth.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

But the (elements) beginning with light (are meant by the term ajâ); for some read so in their text.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

Just as it is impossible to decide on the ground of this mantra taken by itself what special cup is meant -- it being possible to ascribe, somehow or other, the quality of the mouth being turned downward to any cup -- so here also there is no special quality stated, so that it is not possible to decide from the mantra itself whether the pradhâna is meant by the term ajâ, or something else.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

For, by means of some supposition or other, the terms ajâ, &c.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

-- But has not the word ajâ the settled meaning of she-goat?

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

Scripture teaches fire, water, and earth to have been produced, so that the word ajâ cannot be taken in the sense 'non-produced [234].'

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

It is further called ajâ, i.e. unborn, because it is acknowledged to be the fundamental matter out of which everything springs, not a mere effect.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881

The word ajâ neither expresses that fire, water, and earth belong to the goat species, nor is it to be explained as meaning 'unborn;' it rather expresses an assumption, i.e. it intimates the assumption of the source of all beings (which source comprises fire, water, and earth), being compared to a she-goat.

The Vedanta-Sutras with the Commentary by Sankaracarya Sacred Books of the East, Volume 1 George Thibaut 1881