Purva Mimamsa Sutras
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The Mimamsa Sutra (
Overview
The work is divided into twelve adhyayas (chapters), which are further divided into sixty padas (sections).[1]
The text provides rules for the interpretation of the Vedas and also provides philosophical justifications for the observance of Vedic rituals, by offering meaning and significance of Vedic rituals to attain Moksha.[2]
Commentaries
Over the centuries many commentaries have been written on this text, with the most important being the Śabara Bhāṣya written by
Philosophy
Jaimini, in his Mimamsa Sutra, presents material activity and its results as the whole of reality (vipanam rtam). He, along with later proponents of
Codana-laksano 'rtho dharmah: "Duty is that which is indicated by the injunctions of the Vedas."(Mimamsa Sutra 1.1.2)
Content
Mimamsa Sutra consists of twelve chapters:[4]
- In the first chapter, the significance of collections of words with various meanings is discussed. This includes injunction (vidhi), explanatory passage (arthavada), hymn (mantra), tradition (smriti) etc.
- In the second chapter, discussions relating to the difference of various rites, refutation of erroneously proofs etc. are held.
- In the third chapter, sruti, sense of the passage (linga), context (vakya), and their respective weight when in apparent opposition to one another, the ceremonies called pratipatti-karmdni, things mentioned incidentally (anarabhyadhita) and the duties of the sacrifices are expounded.
- In the fourth chapter, the influence on other rites of the principal and subordinate rites, the fruit caused by the juhu and dice-playing, which forms a subordinate part of the rajasuya sacrifice are explained.
- Fifth chapter discusses relative order of various passages of sruti, different parts of sacrifice etc.
- In the sixth chapter, the persons qualified to offer sacrifices, their obligations, the substitutes for materials used in sacrifices, expiatory rites and the different sacrificial fires are made clear.
- In the seventh and eight chapters, transference of ceremonies and transference by virtue from one sacrifice to another are discussed.
- In the ninth chapter, adaptation of hymns when quoted in a new context (uha), and melodies(samans) and mantras are discussed.
- In the tenth, the discussion revolves around the non-performance of the primary rites and dependent rites, offerings to grahasetc.
- In the eleventh chapter, there is discussion on tantra (combining several acts one), and avapa (performance of an act more than once).
- In the twelfth chapter, prasanga, tantra and cumulation of concurrent rites (samuchchaya) is explained.
References
- ^ ISBN 81-208-1330-8.
- ^ "Jaimini: Mimamsasutra at Sansknet project". Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.
- ^ "Shabara Bhashya at Chinmaya Mission". Archived from the original on July 13, 2004.
- ISBN 978-0-415-24517-3.
External links
- Mimamsa Sutras Of Jaimini, translated by Mohan Lal Sandal
- Full Text of the Mimamsa Sutra, on archive.org