Study of Desika's work

MEEMAAMSA PAADHUKAAYAH VISISHTAM ADHYAYANAM - A Comprehensive study of Meemaamsapaadhuka of Sri Vedanta Desika (Sanskrit): Dr. C. Raghavan; Copies can be had from the author, 113, G. S. Mada Street, Tirupathi-517507. Rs. 100.

JAIMINI MAHARISHI composed Poorva Meemaamsa sutras to elucidate and explain procedures for performing sacrifices in which ghee and `purodaasam' are offered to several gods through Agni) which are rituals prescribed in Vedas for achieving the desired results.

The basis for these are yaagaas outlined in Karma Kanda. This outstanding work, with 12 chapters, is known as ``Meemaamsa'' which means ``analysis of high level matters''. On this, Sabaraswami wrote a commentary as also Kumaarila and others. As an ancillary work of Vedas, it has its own unique distinction.

Meemaamsakas have held steadfast to the view that for getting the desired results, the only means is to perform the prescribed sacrifices. There is no place for yaagas without gods but Meemaamsakas later attempted, in stages, not only to push gods to the background and project Karmas to the fore, but also went to the extent of claiming and even writing, out of whim, that there were no gods and that karmas themselves could bestow the benefits sought. The essence of Jaimini's sutras does not support or sustain such views. In his ``Tattvatika'', a commentary on Sri Bhashya, Swami Desika has vividly clarified these aspects. In other works like ``Sathadhooshani'' and ``Adhikarana Saaraavali'' also he refuted here and there these arguments of ``Nireeswara Meemaamsakas''.

Vaachaspathi Misra who attained fame as Bhaamatheekaara, and commented upon the meaning of Sankara's commentary to Brahma sutras and others have lucidly clarified and supported the concept of ``Seswara Meemaamsa''. Swami Desika, in his great treatise, Seswara Meemaamsa has explained some of these sutras. He has given (as an example) explanation for the first two paadhams in the first chapter and also for the first paadham of the first chapter, he composed 176 in ``sragdhara'' metre in his outstanding work, ``Meemaamsa Paadhuka''. For part of this, Sri Varadacharya, son of Desika, has given further elucidation. Sri Uththamoor Veeraraghavarya Mahadesikan has given detailed meaning and clarification in Sanskrit on these subjects to the extent they were available.

Based on these three great works, Dr. C. Raaghavan has extensively analysed and brought out the book under review. According to the Visishtadwaita philosophy, Poorva and Uthara Meemaamsa Sastras are but one and the same. Ancient works of Yaajnavalkya, Sri Vishnu Purana, age-old writings of Kumaarila, Sankara, and others like Amalanandha who wrote further on these matters have adopted the same approach. Against this background, the author has selected nine subjects, done elaborate research and cited suitable proof of authorities in support of his views. With his forthright style and lucid presentation, he has striven ably to complete the task undertaken.

V. SRIVATSANKACHARYA

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