Upalakshana in Manubhasya 2.140

[Full title: Mimamsa technical terms (8) Upalakshana (1) References in Manubhasya verse 2.140]

Passage Translation - mantragrahanam vedavakyopalaksanartham | (Medhatithi onions I-140) Here the term 'Mantra' stands for all Vedic passages. Explanation While giving a proper defination of a teacher in the Manusmrti II.140 the stanza means 1 "They call that Brahmana who initiates a pupil and teaches him the Veda together with the Kalpa and Rahasyas, the teacher (Acharya of the latter)." While explaining the term 'Sarahasyam' in the above text of Manu Smriti Medhatithi refers to the view of some to understand the above expression in the sense of expounding the meaning of Vedic Mantras. 2 In order to support the above interpretation of the word 'Sarahasyam' Medhatithi quotes a line from 'Abhidan Kosa' explaining the meaning of the term 'Acharya'. This work also holds that ellucidiation of the Vedic Mantras also constitutes the behaviour of a teacher. In the citation from the 'Abhidankosh the expression Mantra occurs and the Medhatithi points out that this word is illustrative and as such it includes Vedic sentences. 1. upaniya tu yah sisyam vedamadhyapayedvijah | sakalpam sarahasyam ca tamacarya pracaksate || 2 .180 || 2.80 Ms VOI-I P-360 2. "vivrnoti ca mantrarthanacaryah so' ‌bhidhiyate "iti| Ms Vol I P-361

586 It is worthy of note here that Medhatithi is interpreting the quoted text 'Abhidankosa' from the Mimamsa angle only to support the interpretation of the word 'Sarahasyam' in the text of Manusmrti II.140. 1 Sarvinyanarayana however brings the technical term Upalaksana in the other expression "Sankalpa' and says that this an illustrativ of Sadanga i.e. Siksa, Kalpa, Vyakarana etc. 1. sakalpa mityeka desena sadangopalaksanam 1 Sarvajnynarayarza Manu Smriti-vol I P- 361