हृद्यपेक्षया तु मनुष्याधिकारत्वात् ॥ २५ ॥
hṛdyapekṣayā tu manuṣyādhikāratvāt || 25 ||
hṛdi-apekṣayā—With reference to the heart; tu—but; manuṣya-adhikāratvāt—man (alone) being entitled.
25. But with reference to (the space in) the heart (the Highest Brahman is said to be of the size of a thumb); (and because) man alone is entitled (to the study of the Vedas).
How could the all-pervading Brahman be of the size of a thumb, as stated by the previous Sutra ? Because the space in the heart is of the size of a thumb, therefore Brahman, with reference to Its abiding within that space, is described as being of the size of a thumb. Since Brahman abides within the heart of all living creatures, why is the ‘thumb’ used as a standard ? Because man alone is entitled to the study of the Vedas and to the different Upasanas of Brahman prescribed in them, therefore it is with reference to him that the thumb- is used as the standard of measurement.