Q: What is Apaurusheyata? How does Mimamsa establish the Apaurusheyata of Veda
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Apaurusheyatva (also spelled Apaurusheyata) is a foundational concept in Indian philosophy, particularly within the Mimamsa and Vedanta schools, which holds that the Vedas are apaurusheya, or “not of human origin.” This doctrine asserts that the Vedas were not composed by any person, god, or author, but rather exist eternally and independently of human creation. According to this belief, the Vedas are impersonal, eternal truths that were “seen” (or revealed) by ancient sages (rishis) rather than authored by them, and thus they contain an infallible, authoritative knowledge that transcends human limitations.
Apaurusheyata in Mimamsa
The Mimamsa school, particularly in the works of Jaimini (in the Purva Mimamsa Sutras) and Kumarila Bhatta, places significant emphasis on the concept of Apaurusheyata, as it establishes the Vedas as a supreme and infallible authority in matters of dharma (righteousness, duty) and ritual practices. The Mimamsa school defends the eternality and unauthored nature of the Vedas by employing several arguments to demonstrate that they were not created by any human or divine agency.
Key Arguments for Apaurusheyata in Mimamsa
- Linguistic Eternity (Nityatva of Words and Meanings):
- Mimamsa argues that words and their meanings are eternal. According to this view, language itself is eternal; words do not have a beginning or an end, and the relationship between words and meanings exists independently of human or divine intervention. This means that Vedic sentences are also eternal and were not composed by any individual.
- For instance, just as the relationship between words and meanings exists universally (e.g., “fire” refers to the phenomenon of fire), Vedic words and their meanings are considered timeless and self-existent.
- Absence of Personal Authorship (Non-Identification of an Author):
- Mimamsa points out that the Vedas do not identify any particular author, unlike other texts where authorship is often explicitly stated. They argue that if the Vedas had an author, there would be references to such authorship. This absence of attribution strengthens the claim that they are not products of a human or divine mind.
- The Mimamsa philosophers reason that because no authorship is indicated, the Vedas cannot be attributed to any individual, thus implying their unauthored nature.
- Eternal Sound (Shabda Nityatva):
- The concept of Shabda Nityatva, or the eternality of sound, is central to Mimamsa philosophy. Mimamsakas believe that the sounds of the Vedas are eternal vibrations that exist perpetually in the cosmos. The rishis did not compose these sounds but simply “heard” or apprehended them through yogic insight and transmitted them orally.
- This belief in the Vedas as eternal sound suggests that they exist independently of human cognition and thus remain beyond human authorship.
- Perfection and Infallibility of Vedic Knowledge:
- Mimamsa asserts that human-created texts are prone to error, bias, and imperfection, whereas the Vedas, being unauthored, are free from such human flaws. This impersonal origin of the Vedas makes them infallible, as they contain knowledge that is not clouded by personal limitations or subjective biases.
- Since the Vedas are not the result of human intellect or emotions, they are regarded as a perfect source of knowledge, particularly regarding the unseen aspects of dharma (righteous actions).
- Anadi (Beginninglessness):
- Mimamsakas argue that anything with an origin must have a creator, but the Vedas are anadi (without a beginning). This beginninglessness is attributed to the eternality of Vedic knowledge, which implies that the Vedas have always existed and therefore have no origin in time or space.
- This concept supports apaurusheyata, as the Vedas are seen as eternal truths that manifest cyclically without being created anew in each cycle.
- Self-evident Validity (Svatah Pramanya):
- Mimamsa posits that the Vedas are self-validating and do not require external validation or proof from another authority. Because they are eternal and unauthored, their validity arises inherently from their nature. The Vedas, therefore, are considered authoritative in and of themselves (svatah pramanya).
- This self-evident validity reinforces their apaurushayata, as it suggests that the Vedas are not contingent on a creator or external authority for their truth or reliability.
Mimamsa and the Implications of Apaurusheyata
The Mimamsa school’s insistence on Apaurusheyata is not just an argument for the Vedas’ divine authority; it also forms the basis for the school’s ritualistic worldview. Since the Vedas are eternal and infallible, the Mimamsa school emphasizes that following Vedic injunctions, especially rituals, is the ultimate path to achieving one’s dharma. Their apaurushayata doctrine ensures that Vedic rituals and sacrifices, as laid out in these texts, are perfect and eternally binding on individuals.
Conclusion
The concept of Apaurusheyata, as established by the Mimamsa school, portrays the Vedas as an eternal, authorless, and infallible repository of knowledge. By arguing for the Vedas’ impersonal and timeless nature, Mimamsa provides a foundation for their authoritative status in matters of dharma and establishes them as beyond reproach. This doctrine deeply influenced other schools of thought, especially Vedanta, and became a cornerstone of Vedic authority in Indian philosophy.