Upalakshana in Manubhasya 6.2

[Full title: Mimamsa technical terms (8) Upalakshana (18) References in Manubhasya verse 6.2]

REFERENCE yathaiva 'jataputrah krsnakesastu 'adhane'dhikriyate evam i jalaunah pathita sirah | tadyapi putrajanma krsnakesala ca kyo viseso palaksanarthameva | 'natisighram naticiram ' ityarthasyopalaksanale tu pramanam vaktavyam | (Mechahthi on mns VI -2) Translation Other however have taken the greyness of hair' and 'birth of the grandchild' only as indicative of old-age. So that even if an old man's hairs may not for some reason, become grey, he should at the approach of old age retire to the forest. Just as the person who has got a son and has his hairs still black is entitled to the 'kinding of fire', so is the man who has got a grandson and his head turned grey entitled to the Hermit's life. And in the former fase also 'the birth of the son and 'blackness of hair' are only indicative of a certain age. Explanation 1 While pointing out the proper time for a house-holder to retire to the forest, we have the Manusmrti- VI which means - "When the householder notices his wrinkles and greyness and sees his child's child then he should retire to the forest". 1. grhasthastu yada pasyedvalipalitamatmanah | apatyasyaiva capatyam tada'ranyam samasrayet " 6-2 Mms Vol 1 -9-176.

1613 While commenting on the expressions in the first line like 'Valipalitam' and 'Apatyasya Apatyam' in the second line, Medhatithi points out that these expressions are illustrative. They are indicative of age factor of householder who is to retive to the forest. P It is interesting to remember here that Medhatithi has given us the example of 'Jataputraha krsnakes astu Adhanedhikriyate!, generally this sentence is regarded as giving rise to the fault known as Vakyabheda. However to remove this fault generally it is held that the line refers to the age factor of a person who is asked to consecrate the fire. Following the analogy of this example Medhatithi is trying to interpret the expression in the first and second line of the text of Manu as illustrative. One is perfectly justified in saying that for this interpretation of the part of Medhatithi there is a Mimamsa base, (Other commentators of Manu do not offer any help from the Mimamsa angle to interpret the text of Manu.)