Religion and Philosophy in Brahmanical Philosophy

The Mimamsa is one of the brahmanical traditions which above all is concerned with exegesis of Vedic scripture and analysis of ritual. However, this tradition also formed a philosophical school which represents the brahmanical orthodoxy at its purest. It deals with various topics of ontology, epistemology, philosophy of language, ethics and religion. These are theoretical prerequisites for the exegetical arguments on the Veda and ritual. Among these, the codana section, the topic of our proposed project, takes an important place, for it comments on the very definition of dharma. In this section Kumarila (ca. AD 600-650) develops three unique arguments concerning 1. the theory of truth and falsity of cognition and speech; 2. a critique of omniscience, in particular, of the Buddha; 3. justification of Vedic ritual killing. Although Kumarila`s text has been widely recognized as one of the most important philosophical texts in the Indian tradition, very little has been done so far to establish a reliable edition of it. A closer look at the current editions of Mimamsa texts reveals them to be often mere reproductions of preceding editions, which inevitably only add new mistakes and misprints. Our proposed edition of the codana section will thus constitute the first attempt of a critical edition for this portion of the text. Owing to consultation of hitherto unused manuscripts, we are confident that we will be able to improve significantly upon the existing editions. The entire Slokavarttika has been translated into English by Ganganatha Jha [1900-1909]. Jha`s translation was an extraordinary achievement in its time, but has become largely obsolete. A new translation of the Slokavarttika is, therefore, an urgent desideratum. Our translation will be as literal as possible and the notes will be concerned with the elucidation of each argument by placing it in a wider historical context. Kumarila`s way of discussing truth and omniscience, the two general topics discussed in detail in the codana section, has been widely accepted as a common format of argument among subsequent scholars of different schools, regardless of whether they defend or criticize his arguments. Thus, the study of the codana section is of relevance and importance for the study of these arguments in other Indian philosophical traditions, especially those of Nyaya and Buddhism.

The Mimamsa is one of the brahmanical traditions which above all is concerned with exegesis of Vedic scripture and analysis of ritual. However, this tradition also formed a philosophical school which represents the brahmanical orthodoxy at its purest. It deals with various topics of ontology, epistemology, philosophy of language, ethics and religion. These are theoretical prerequisites for the exegetical arguments on the Veda and ritual. Among these, the codana section, the topic of our proposed project, takes an important place, for it comments on the very definition of dharma. In this section Kumarila (ca. AD 600-650) develops three unique arguments concerning 1. the theory of truth and falsity of cognition and speech; 2. a critique of omniscience, in particular, of the Buddha; 3. justification of Vedic ritual killing. Although Kumarila`s text has been widely recognized as one of the most important philosophical texts in the Indian tradition, very little has been done so far to establish a reliable edition of it. A closer look at the current editions of Mimamsa texts reveals them to be often mere reproductions of preceding editions, which inevitably only add new mistakes and misprints. Our proposed edition of the codana section will thus constitute the first attempt of a critical edition for this portion of the text. Owing to consultation of hitherto unused manuscripts, we are confident that we will be able to improve significantly upon the existing editions. The entire Slokavarttika has been translated into English by Ganganatha Jha [1900-1909]. Jha`s translation was an extraordinary achievement in its time, but has become largely obsolete. A new translation of the Slokavarttika is, therefore, an urgent desideratum. Our translation will be as literal as possible and the notes will be concerned with the elucidation of each argument by placing it in a wider historical context. Kumarila`s way of discussing truth and omniscience, the two general topics discussed in detail in the codana section, has been widely accepted as a common format of argument among subsequent scholars of different schools, regardless of whether they defend or criticize his arguments. Thus, the study of the codana section is of relevance and importance for the study of these arguments in other Indian philosophical traditions, especially those of Nyaya and Buddhism.