Acknowledgments

The Mīmāṃsakas like Jaimini, Śabara, Kumārila Bhaṭṭa, Prabhākara Miśra, Pārthasārathi Miśra, Śrī Bhaṭṭa Śaṃkara, Āpodeva, Laugākṣi Bhāskara etc. mainly dealt with the ritualistic aspect of the Veda. They regarded sacrifices as the highest means for attaining spiritual benefit. In interpretating the vedic sentences they had invented some technical words and principles. Actually, the Mīmāṃsā philosophy is full of technicality. One must need deep study to acquire the knowledge of this Mīmāṃsā-śāstra.

When I was searching for a topic for my Ph.D. thesis, my supervisor, Professor Dr. Satyajit Layek of the Department of Sanskrit, University of Calcutta, advised me to carry out a research on the ‘Methodology of Interpretation of Vedic Injunctions by Mīmāṃsakas’. Without any hesitation, I took his valuable advice with great pleasure. In carrying out this research, I felt that some books written in English language are necessary to grasp the subject. So, Dr. Layek provided me two books authored by Professor V. N. Jha. These books are ‘The Philosophy of Injunctions’ and ‘The Logic of the Intermediate Causal Link’. The first book greatly helped me to know the meaning of injunction. Not only that, I bought some other books through postal services by my supervisor’s direction. These books include ‘K.L. Sarkar’s Mimansa Rules of Interpretation’ edited by Justice Markandey Katju, ‘History of Dharmaśāstra’ (Volume V, Part-2) etc. I have got a lot of help from these books. So, in this regard, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sayajit Layek as well as the authors of the above mentioned books.

In June, 2016 I have attended a ten days workshop, on ‘Indian Hermeneutics (Pūrvamīmāṃsā),’ Level-1 at Kaivalyadham Institute of Yoga, Lonavla, Maharastra, India, in which Prof. V. N. Jha taught ‘Mīmāṃsā-paribhāṣā’ of Kṛṣṇayajvan and Prof. Ujjwala Jha delivered lectures on the Mīmāṃsā philosophy. Similarly, in October, 2016, I participated in another workshop on ‘Indian Hermeneutics’, Level-2, at Chinmaya Vibhooti, Kolwan, Pune, Maharastra, in which Prof. V. N. Jha taught ‘Arthasaṃgraha’ of Laughāṣi Bhāskara and Prof. Ujjwala Jha taught the principles of interpretation of vedic sentences. The knowledge got from these two workshops has made the foundation of my thesis. So, I take this opportunity to convey my deep sense of regards to Prof. V. N. Jha and Prof. Ujjwala Jha for their kind deliberations. It should also be mentioned that my supervisor had inspired and insisted me to take part in those workshops. So, once again I express my heartfelt gratitude to him.

I am indebted to all the Professors of the Department of Sanskrit, University of Calcutta, who have stretched their helping hands to me directly or indirectly. Thanks must also be given to the Ph.D. Section of this University for its good behaviour and assistance.

Finally, I wish to bow down with great reverence before the spirit of our great ancestors who created and developed the Mīmāṃsa system of philosophy and who contributed in this field of knowledge. The knowledge of Mīmāṃsā may enlighten all of us—this is my earnest hope.

Shreebas Debnath