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METAPHYSICS
ferring a real chronological priority in time in favour of Jaimini's system (SSP. 197). On the other hand, it is quite likely that the notion of priority of his compilation is associated with a pre-conceived priority of “works" (dharma) which are supposed to precede jnána (knowledge).
As for the subject inatter of this darsana, its opening live-athåto ilharma jizniíså (now, therefore, for an enquiry into the philosophy of works ")---sufficiently indicates its scope. This is very signisicant in comparison witl: athato Brahman lijnásiê (now, therefore, for an enqiury into Braliman), which is the opening line of the Uttara Miminsi, better kuowo as Vedanta.
The idea of "works" in Hinduism is centered round the principle of " Sacrifice" wirich is practised for the obtainment of Heaven and other kinds of divine blessings and goodi. Jaimini's work deals with the doctrine of sacriớce, and its purport is evirent from the list of its contents which we give here. (1) Authoritativeness of injunctions, explanations
etc., etc., (2) The mysterious effect of hymus apd sacri
ficial formulas (the Apurea). (3) Revelation, context, etc., and the duties of a
sacrificer. (4) The influence of the principal and subordi
vate rites on other rites,
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