Mimanas

Mimanas is a philosophical system within ancient Indian thought, primarily concerned with the interpretation of Vedic texts and the establishment of religious duties. It is one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy, known as the Astika systems. The Mimamsa school is divided into two main branches: Purva Mimamsa and Uttara Mimamsa. Purva Mimamsa, also known as Karma Mimamsa, focuses on the ritualistic sections of the Vedas, emphasizing the performance of Vedic sacrifices and ceremonies as the means to attain desired results. It developed a sophisticated system of hermeneutics, or principles of interpretation, to resolve ambiguities and contradictions within the Vedic corpus.

The core tenet of Purva Mimamsa is that the Vedas are eternal, authorless, and possess inherent authority. They are seen as a guide to dharma, which encompasses righteous conduct, duty, and religious observances. The emphasis is on action (karma) and the proper execution of rituals to uphold cosmic order and achieve heavenly rewards or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Jaimini is considered the principal systematizer of Purva Mimamsa, with his Mimamsa Sutras being the foundational text.

Uttara Mimamsa, also known as Vedanta, shifts its focus to the philosophical and metaphysical sections of the Vedas, the Upanishads. While still rooted in Vedic authority, Vedanta explores the nature of reality, the self (Atman), and its relationship with the ultimate reality (Brahman). Though originating from the same Vedic tradition, the divergent concerns of Purva and Uttara Mimamsa led to distinct philosophical developments over time.