Pathakrama in Manubhasya 2.77

[Full title: Mimamsa technical terms (16) Patha-Krama (2) References in Manubhasya verse 2.77]

Passage- purvasloke carthavadadeva vyahatinamapi vidhanam | kramastu pathavagabhyah | vaksyati ca tadaksarametam ca javavyahrti purvikam * iti | 1 Translation - (Medhatithi on Manu Smriti II-77). As for the injunction of Vyahrtis this is to be deduced from the valedictory description contained in the preceding verse. As for the actual order in which the several syllables have to be pronounced, that is ascertained from the order in which they are found mentioned in the text. The author is also going to lay down in the next verse. They should pronounce this syllable (Om) and this verse (that savitur etc.) preceded by the Vyahrtis'. Explanation 1 While stating the rules of study we get Manu Smriti II-77 which tells - 'Out of the three Vedas again, the Supreme Prajapati milked each foot of the Savitri verse beginning with 'Tat'. 1. tribhya eka tu eva tu vedebhyah pada padamaduduhat | tadityrco 'syah savitryah paramesthi prajapatih || 2-77|| nis VOLI P-280

1 697 In the foregoing verse Manu has told that out of the three Vedas 'a', the letter 'u' and the letter 'm' as also the syllable 'Bhub-Bhuvah Svah). prajapati milked the letter Commenting on Manu Smriti II-77, Medhatithi points out that the actual order of Vyahrtis and Savitri Mantra should begin with 'Om' just as Om Bhuhu, Om Bhuvaha, Om Svaha, Om Janaha, Om Tapaha, etc. and Gayatri also begins with the same syllable 'CM', tat savituhu, etc. Thus, Medhatithi, using the term Pathakrama makes us understand Vyahrtis and Gayatri in the prescribed order. (Other commentators of Manu are silent on this point. 1. akaram cathyukaram ca makaram ca prajapatih | vedatraya phira duhamdbhurbhuvah svarititi ca 2-76|| ms vol I P-279