Anubhashya

Anubhashya is a Sanskrit term used in Indian scholastic literature to denote a sub-commentary or a commentary on a commentary. The word combines anu- meaning “following” or “after” and bhashya meaning “commentary,” referring to a postscript that offers further explanation, clarification, or critique of an existing bhashya on a scriptural text.

In traditional Hindu philosophical and linguistic settings, major works often spawned subsequent Anubhashyas to address objections, reconcile differing interpretations, or present alternative readings. The genre functions as a corrective or elaborative layer, typically shorter than the primary bhashya and focused on specific points, terms, or arguments. Anubhashyas rely on references to the core text and earlier authorities, engaging in dialectical analysis to defend a particular position or to refine understanding.

The exact authorship and dating of Anubhashyas vary widely, and many are medieval or later additions to earlier sutras, Upanishadic expositions, or treatises in schools such as Vedanta, Nyaya, and Mimamsa. Because multiple teachers and schools circulated competing interpretations, numerous works bear the title Anubhashya across traditional literatures, serving as a bridge between foundational commentaries and evolving scholastic debate.

Notable features typically include precise cross-references to the primary text, engagement with verses and terms under discussion, and argumentative structures aimed at clarifying or defending a specific viewpoint within a broader doctrinal framework. See also: Bhashya, Tika, Sub-commentary, Vedanta.