Upalakshana in Manubhasya 3.191

[Full title: Mimamsa technical terms (8) Upalakshana (9) References in Manubhasya verse 3.191]

REFERENCE - krsali sabdah strimatropalaksanarthah, samanyena brahmacaryasya vidhanat| Translation (medhatthi on is II -191) The term 'Vrsali' here stands for woman in general. Explanation While discussing the rules to be observed by a Brahmin invited for the Sraddha ceremony Manusmrti III.191 laid down a rule. This stanza simply means - "But he who being invited to a Sraddha dollies with Sudra woman, taken upon himself all the sins which the giver (of the feast) committed." While commenting on the expression 'Vrsali' in the above text the question arises whether this expression is illustrative or exhaustive? Medhatithi points out that this expression is illustrative of the women commenting in general otherwise one may take it as a liberty to enjoy any other woman accept 'Vrsali' mentioned in the above text. Actually in this context Medhatithi should have quoted a text from the Dharmasastra literature only to indicate that a Brahmin invited for the Sraddha ceremony is not suppose to enjoy the company of any woman as such. 1. amamtritastu yah sradhde vrsalya saha modate | daturyaduskrtam kimcittatsarvam pratipadyate ||3 .295|| ms vol II --AP-198

G 598 Instead of quoting such a text Medhatithi is more interested in giving us the etymology and expressing the word 'Vrsali' which is an fact out of context so far as the 'Minansa discussion is concerned. 1 2 This view of Medhatithi is followed by Nandang Govindaraja howevers refers the word Vrsali as Brahmin wife. If however this is accepted then one will have to admit that the scope of Upalaksana is there by curtailed. Hence it is better not to favour the interpretation offered by Govindaraja. It is matter of utter surprise that all the other commentators of Manusmrti have not taken any care to quote a supporting text from Dharmasastra to elucidate the point of the interpretation of the word 'Vrsali' in the present context. 1. vrsali gamana muttarasamapyupalaksanam | Nandana M.s vol II-P- 199 2 vrsalyapi kamayamana calayati bhartaramiti vrsalyava brahmanyapi | Manu Smriti voi I-P-199