Sutras are concise aphorisms. They give the essence of the ar- guments on a topic. Maximum of thought is compressed or con- densed into these Sutras in as few words as possible. It is easy to remember them. Great intellectual people only, with realisation, can compose Sutras.
They are clues or aids to memory. They cannot be understood without a lucid commentary (Bhashya). The commentary also is in need of further elaborate explanation.
Thus the interpretations of the Sutras gave rise to various kinds of literary writings such as Vrittis (gloss) and Karikas.
The different Acharyas (founders of dif- ferent schools of thought) have given their own interpretations of the Sutras to establish their own doctrines.
The Bhashya of Sri Sankara on Brahma Sutras is known as Sariraka Bhashya. His school of thought is Kevala Advaita.
The Bhashya of Sri Ramanuja who founded the Visishtadvaita School is called Sri Bhashya.
The com- mentary of Sri Nimbarkacharya is known as Vedanta-parijata- saurabha.
Sri Vallabhacharya expounded his system of philosophy of Suddhadvaita (pure monism) and his commentary on the Brahma Sutras is known as Anu Bhashya