Medhatithi On Samanyato Drstam

SR No.: 269450
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Albrecht Wezler
Publisher: Albrecht Wezler
Total Pages: 19
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 2 MB

Page 6

144
ALBRECHT WEZLER
than probable that Me. refers to a theory of anumāna characterized, at least among other things, by the dichotomy of viseșato drsta and sāmānyato drsta.
3. Before following this trail further and attempting to identify this theory of inference, it is necessary to look for more examples in the Bhāsya. Fortunately there is a tool, viz. the indices compiled by Jha;43 however even though they cover the complete Bhāsya they can hardly be regarded as absolutely reliable. Nevertheless, that is practically all I can lean on as I have not yet been able to go through the whole of Me.'s commentary in order exhaustively to collect all the passages where he refers to anumāna.
Apart from the references to the Bhāsya on M. 1.5, Jha's indices do not, however, provide information which one could not also find by just looking up all verses of the Smrti itself in which the word anumāna occurs. 44
3.1. The first of these verses is, if one keeps to the sequence of the Smrti, M. 8.44.45 What is noteworthy in Me.'s Bhāsya is, firstly, his explanation that "by an inference the king should determine the [real] cause of the law-suit with regard to something that is [by its nature] beyond perception or something that is not perceived (although by its nature perceptible]":46 (... rājānumānena parokse pratyakşe vārthakāranam niścinuyāt) and, secondly, his remark that "inference is repeated [here]”, although it has already been taught, "in order to emphasize the point (lit. for the purpose of the firmness of remembrance)" (uktasyāpy anumānasya punarvacanam smrtidardhyārtham).
According to Jha47 this is a - veiled - reference to Me. 8.3.48 I don't find this acceptable,49 even though in the Bhāsya on this verse the first half of M. 8.44 is quoted. 50 What Me. refers to is rather M. 8.25:
bāhyair vibhāvayed lingair bhāvam antargatam nrnām / svaravarnengitākārais
cakşuşā cestitena ca Il. It is true that the term anumāna is not used by Manu in this verse. But in its place we have the almost equally unequivocal notion of linga; in addition there cannot be any doubt and there is in fact unanimity among the commentators and translators that what the verse is about is the truthfulness or otherwise of the litigants and of the witnesses. And this is precisely what Me. states at the very beginning of his Bhāsya