Mimamsa Sutras of Jaimini

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About the Book

Purva Mimamsa, theistic from the outset, is one of the six systems of Indian philosophy. Based on the Vedas and Brahmanas, it represents the practical side of Vedic religion. As such Purva Mimamsa 'First Inquiry', or Karma Mimamsa 'Inquiry concerning Works', founded by Jaimini, discusses the sacred rites and the rewards accruing from their performance. Holding the authority of Veda as absolute and eternal, the system emphasizes that articulate sounds are eternal, and that the connection of a word with its sense is inherent in the word or the sentence itself, but is not effected by usage and thus paves the way for correct interpretation of the word or sentence even in the daily routine of human affairs.

About the Author

Pt. Mohan Lal Sandal made this first ever attempt to translate the main text of the Sutras in a simple but lucid language highlighting the exact import of the system. He had the unique advantage of consulting Dr. Kunte, who had also translated the same up to Ch. VI independently. He has provided an elaborate introduction detailing the importance of the principles of Mimamsa in solving problem of interpretation.

The translation of Jaimini’s Purva Mimamsa is now published and placed before the learned readers. The translator knows how difficult it was to understand the Mimamsa in interpreting the Vedic rituals of the ancient Aryans and is still not sure whether he has correctly explained them. It is for the public to judge it.

The Vedic rituals which were once the be—all and end—all of the Aryans have fallen into desuetude and the study of the Purva Mimamsa is completely neglected.

I am old age; I took to the study of the Hindu philosophy and l found solace in it. In the course of my study, l found the Mimamsa system of philosophy to be the most difficult of all. I took Dr. Ganganath Jha's translation published in the series of the Sacred Books of the Hindus but the translation stops short at the end of Chap. iii. Mr. Kunte who, l am informed by Major BD. Basu, is the brother of Dr. Anna Moreswar Kunte, the demonstrator of Anatomy. Grant Medical College, Bombay, was one of the distinguished graduates of the Bombay University and belonged to the school of Ranade and Bhandarkar. He was a school master and undertook to publish the translation and annotation of the Sutra works of the six schools of the Hindu philosophy at the end of seventies of the last century, in his well known periodical publication called Saddarsanacintanika. This useful publication to the students of Hindu Philosophy came to an abrupt end by the premature death of Mr. Kunte in the early eighties, His translation of the Jaimini's Mimamsa stops short at Vl.6.lO. It appears that a limited number of the journal was published from Poona from time to time and was distributed amongst the subscribers. Here only one copy of- it was available in the valuable library of Major B.D. Basu; I must here frankly confess that l could not have placed this translation of the Purva Mimamsa but for the help l got from Mr. Kunte in understanding it. I cannot discharge the debt due to him. l have got help from several other writers in this heavy and onerous undertaking.

I must thank Mayor B.D. Basu the learned editor of the series of the Sacred Books of the Hindu; for rendering me help by placing his valuable library at my disposal and making important suggestions in order to enhance the utility of the book to the readers and the subscribers of this valuable series. In a word his was the head and mine was the hand in bringing out this big work before the public.

I must also thank Mr. Ram Nagina Pande of the Allahabad Collectorate for arranging the word meanings of the Sutras from my manuscript from chapters vii to xii and the staff of the Panini Office for the help rendered in publishing the work.

I know what shortcomings and defects there can be in a big undertaking like this and, therefore, crave the indulgence of the learned readers.