Mimamsa in Medhatithi (study)

by A. R. Joshi | 1982 | 168,442 words

This essay studies the philosophy of Mimamsa as found in Medhatithi’s commentary on the Manu Smriti....

Krama in Manubhasya 1.2

[Full title: Mimamsa technical terms (10) Krama (1) References in Manubhasya verse 1.2]

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Passage - anupurvasah | anupurvah kramah| yena kramenanustheyani so'pyucyatam | "jatakarmanantaram caudamauji nibandhanetyadi | yathavadityava parthavisaya karthamupattam| kramastu padartho na bhavatyatah prthaganupurvasa ityupantam | tmedhatithi on ms 1-2) Translation - Anupurvasaha in due order 'Order' means sequence; the meaning is 'Please explain also the order in which the several duties have to be performed. The order meant is such as after the performance of the Birth rite' come respectively 'Tonsure', 'Initiation' and so forth. The phrase 'in due form implies completeness in regard to subject matter; 'Order' does not form part of the subject matter, hence the qualification in due order has been added seperately. Explanation - 1 Having approached Manu, sages request him to explain the duties of all castes in Manu Smriti I-2. The stanza means - May thou, oblessed one, explain to us, in due form and in proper order, the duties of all castes and intermediate castes. 1. bhagavan sarvavarnanam yathavadanupurvasah | antaraprabhavanam ca dharmano vaktumarhasi || 1 .2 Manu Smriti VOLI P.8 i

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632 Commenting on the expression "Anupurvasaha" Medhatithi holds the view that the word 'Anupurvasaha indicates the sequence i.e. Krama, The sequence is that while performing several duties from birth to till death, one should go under several sacraments known as birthrite, tonsure, initiation, marriage, etc. These are to be performed one after the other in particular order only not as per one's wish. Further this order indicates completness of certain rites and not a part of subject matter. Hence the word 'Anupurvasaha' is used by Manu. for Thus Medhatithi has properly applied the technical term Krama from. explaining the expression 'Anupurvasa. 1 Sarvajanjanarayana, however, uses the term Krama while explaining the expression Anupurvasaha' but states that the sequence should be of castes i.e. Brahmana, Ksatriya, etc. not as explained by Medhatithi. Thus both Sarvajnyanarayana and Medhatithi differ in application of the same term Krama. 2 Kulluka follows Medhatithi in application of the term Krama. 3 (Wijnanesvara) Raghavananda though has not used the term Krama, he 4 follows Sarvajnyanarayana in understanding the expression 'Anupurvasaha'. Govindaraja however understands the sequence in Niseka etc. 1. anupurvasah brahmanadikramena | 2. Sarvajna narayana anupurvasah - kramena, jatakarma ladanu namadheyamitya vina | kulaka 3. anupurvasah brahmananupurvya | Ragavananda Manu Smriti Vol I P-9 4. anupurthat nisekadikramena | Govindaraja ms vol I P-10

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