The central part of this volume is an English translation of Dharmakirti`s (6th cent.) polemic against the authority
of the Veda and its interpretation by the opposing Mimasa School. This polemic is found at the end of the first
chapter of Dharmakirti`s major work, the Pramanavarttika (including his own commentary, Svavtti). The section
in question includes his commentary on the verses 312-340 and is found on pages 164,24-176,16 in the edition of
Raniero Gnoli (Rome 1960).
The Mimasakas deduce the authority of the Veda, which they consider eternal, from the notion that it was not
composed by a human being. Among other things, Dharmakirti`s refutation in verses 312-318 and their
commentary is based on just this: since the Mimasakas assume that normal humans have no access to supra-
sensible objects like "heaven" and the Veda itself does not explain the meaning of its statements about supra-
sensible objects, human beings are unable, according to Dharmakirti, to ever understand what is being referred to
by such statements. It is also impossible to derive the meaning of Vedic statements by means of the normal use of
words, since words are polysemic (verses 319-324). Even if the meaning of the Veda is explained to us by religious
teachers like Jaimini, for instance, we are dealing only with Jaimini`s interpretation and not the actual meaning of
the Veda itself. Thus, the Veda is no different than religions that have been founded by a person. Its eternalness and
lack of an author are meaningless (verses 325-329). It is also not possible to deduce the truth of the Veda`s
"supersensory" passages by the fact that some portions of the Veda are verifiably correct. We know, for example,
that liars and confused people also sometimes speak the truth. If, because of these true statements, one were to
deduce that all of their statements are true, then there would be no liars (verses 330-335). In the next four verses,
Dharmakirti returns to an earlier discussion, namely, that even if something is not mentioned in holy scriptures, it
is not possible to deduce that it does not exist.
The translation, which for the most part follows the interpretation of the commentators Sakyabuddhi and
Karnakagomin, contains numerous annotations. The footnotes include the commentators` explanations, discuss
problems of language, etc., and when possible put the statement under consideration into a larger context. In the
introduction by Vincent Eltschinger, "The Place of PVSV 164,24-176,16 in the Work of Dharmakirti", the passages
being examined are placed within the framework of Dharmakirti`s oeuvre as a whole. The introduction is followed
by a "Synopsis of PV(SV) 1.312-340" by John Taber. After the translation, the main part of the volume,
Dharmakirti`s teachings on authoritative tradition and his tense relationship to the Mimasakas, topics that are
scattered throughout the chapter, are presented in two lengthy essays: 1) "Logic in a Religious Context:
Dharmakirti in Defence of agama" (Helmut Krasser), and "Dharmakirti and the Mimasakas in Conflict" (John
Taber). Detailed indices complete the work.