Jain Journal 1998 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 35

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JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXXIII, No. 2 October 1998 The simple meaning of the above verses is to indicate the following: 1) the text is to be interpreted in a very lucid and clear way so
that it can rouse confidence in the mind of the readers. 2) The explanation must be very exhaustive and will leave no doubt
in the mind of the readers. 3) If there is a dispute it must be reconciled by means of argument
and logical acumen. 4) A consideration of those portions of the text which should be
ślistas i.e. educated and accepted. 5) If there are repetitions a harmony is to be sought for. 6) And in fine, the solution of all these types of incongruities is to
be offered by the interpreter. These ancient methods find their culminating point in Sāyana's commentary on the Rgveda.
The main points of Sāyaṇācārya in interpreting the Vedic texts are the following:
i) The meaning of the hymn is given in simple prose-order. ii) While giving meanings, if any elucidation is necessary, he has
stated that as well. iii) After these two, the grammatical discussion is followed, and
the etymology of a word as well. And in this case he has quoted whenever and wherever possible from the Nirukta and
sometimes also from Brahmanas and other texts. iv) He has also discussed the Vedic accent. And if there is any
anomaly, he has tried to solve it. v) He has indicated almost at the very outset of each mantra, the
application of that particular mantra to a particular sacrifice
(viniloga). vi) In a similar way, he has also mentioned the rsis, metre (chandah),
and the gods (devatā) connected with that particular mantra. Apart from all these things Sāyanācārya has often indicated the reference of a particular Vedic episode found or available in the Mahābhārata, and in other texts.
All these things are stated by him in the very beginning of the interpretation of the first mantra.
svaro varno'ksaram mätrā viniyogärtha eva ca/
mantram jijñāsamanena veditavyampade padel/ "One who asks the meaning of mantras should know at every step the accent, the alphabet and the syllable, the metre and the application of the mantras (hymns) and their meanings."