“Gobalivarda Nyaya” in Manubhasya 7.149

[Full title: Mimamsa and Popular Maxims (10) Gobalivarda Nyaya (4) References in Manubhasya verse 7.149]

Passage - vyamgatvadevagrahane sidhde gobalivarddhavat vyagasya hastapadadi chedane na mantraniyamastha karttavya nayam kutracit garnu saknoti ihaivavaruddha aste katham mantran bhetsyatiti | Ciedhatithi on ns VI -149) 94 Translation The 'idiot' and the rest being already included under the 'maimed', the separate mention of all these is analogous to the expression 'gobalivada (where even though the bali varda, ox, is included under the 'go', yet it is mentioned separately; and the 'maimed' have been mentioned separately with a view to preclude the notion being entertained that 'the maimed person, being without hands and feet, cannot go out, he must stay locked up on, so that how could he di vulge our secret? ' ). Explanation While pointing on the care to be taken by a king at the time of 1 consultation the Manu Smriti VII.149 enumerates the list of items - "Idiot, Dumb Blind, Deaf, Animals, Very aged men, Women, Barbarians, Sick and the persons deficient in limbs should be removed from the consultation room." 1. jadamu ‌kandhabadhiramstairyagyonanvayotigan | strimleccha vyadhitavyanganmantrakale 'pasarayet " 7.349 % 150 Ms P-532 (GE)

95 While commenting on this stanza Medhatithi points out that by the words 'Jada, Muka, Andha' the deficiency in the limbs is already conveyed then what is the purpose in repeating the expression 'Vyanga' in the second line Medhatithi points that here the principle of 'Gobalivardha Nyaya can be applied and the emphasis is intended to be conveyed by the expression 'Vaynga'. Here the word 'Vyanga' includes the persons whose hand and feet are out out. They may not be in a position to move. However, they are intended to be included in the above list because they may disclose secret of a king. Hence the repetition is purposeful. ya (Other commentators of Manu are silent on this point).