Note of CHAPTER 4: HINDU LAW “MIMANGSA” (SOME IMPORTANT ASPECT), from exam perspective (cursor note).
CHAPTER 4: HINDU LAW “MIMANGSA” (SOME IMPORTANT ASPECT).
Mimangsa is the Sanskrit word which means ‘revered thought’. The word mimangsa originated from the root ‘man’ which refers to ‘thinking’ or ‘investigating’.
It also suggests critical review and investigation of Vedas. The objective of mimangsa is to determine and examine the practical aspect of Dharma. It was created for interpreting religious text and gradually it has come to be in use to interpret the legal text. Interpretation was laid down by the Jaimini.
Basically, there are two parts of mimangsa namely Purvi mimangsa and Uttar mimanggsa.
| S.N. | Purvi Mimangsa | Uttar Mimangsa |
| 1. | It is known as Karma mimangsa. | It is known as Brahma mimangsa. |
| 2. | In popular terms it is called mimansa. | It is called Vedanta. |
| 3. | It is based on an earlier part of Vedas. | It is based on later parts of Vedas. |
| 4. | It deals with the karmic action of rituals. | It is concerned with knowledge of reality. |
Primary rules of interpretation, these are also known as the six elementary axioms of Mimangsa.
- Sarthakya:- Every word and sentence which has been used in a text have meaning.
- Laghav: - One must prefer interpretation which makes the meaning of such words clear and shorter.
- Arthakatva:- giving double meaning of a word is the fault (दोष), therefore one should not give double meaning to a word or sentence occurring at one and the same place.
- Gunapradhana:- The subordinate idea should either be adjusted or disregarded if it clashes with the principal idea of a text.
- Samanjasya:- If there is a situation where one can harmonize the word or sentence, so in that situation one should not assume that word and sentence contradict each other.
- Bikalpa:- if one cannot harmonize the words conflicting with each other, then in that situation one needs to choose the words among conflicting words which offers the best result.
There are certain basic principles of interpretation as per mimangsa, they are: -
I. Words should be taken in simple meaning.
ii. In regard to conflict of words regarding tense of words or sentences one need to look at the tense used in other words or text.
iii. Words denoting singular things also denote plural things.
iv. If a word has more than one meaning then one needs to identify its technical meaning by being based on the context.
v. The composition of words or sentences should be taken into concentration if a word or sentence does not give clear meaning.
vi. If a word or sentence does not give clear meaning then read it according to the nature of the whole subject.
Prepared and Edited by Manish Rajak and Madhu Dahal
