Pūrva (Karma) Mīmā Sā

“What is
Samskruti (culture)? Samskara (refinement) is culture. That which purifies is

culture.” (ss2002-01)
“Samskaras are intended not only to develop further the human qualities but also to eliminate all
remnants of animal nature in man. They are intended to turn the Pravritti (outward) tendencies of man
towards the cultivation of the Nivritti (internal).” (sss22-10)

Purva Mimamsa
Sage Jaimini devoted his entire life to the study of Mimamsa [Inquiry] and propagated it in India. Since
this system of philosophy originated before the Vedas and flourished much before Uttara
Mimamsa (Later Inquiry) it came to be called Purva Mimamsa (Early Inquiry).
The system of Purva Mimamsa recommends Karma Jijnasa in the initial stages. Man’s life from
morning to night is marked by Karma. All actions of humans constitute Karma. The universe is
suffused with Karma at all times. Sage Jaimini beautifully explained the three concepts
of Karma Jijnasa, Dharma Jijnasa and Brahma Jijnasa through a convincing example of making
Chutney.
1. Karma Jijnasa: Making the Chutney.

2. Dharma Jijnasa: Tasting the Chutney.
3. Brahma Jijnasa: Realizing the deficiency in the preparation and correcting it.
Similarly the
1. Performance of actions is Karma Jijnasa. [Samskara]

2. Putting scriptural commands into action is Dharma Jijnasa. [Manas]
3. Tracing the deficiencies and correcting them is Brahma Jijnasa. [Buddhi]
Sage Jaimini propounded the system of Purva Mimamsa to enable the common man to experience
the bliss of Brahma in his daily life. Believing that the secular world is everything, man strives hard to
enjoy as much secular joy as possible, though he is not able to dispel the unrest and the agitation
deep-seated in his heart. He identifies himself with the body and considers the body to be everything
without caring to enquire about the presence of Divinity within. Realizing that the life he is leading is
devoid of eternal joy due to the non-experiencing of Brahma-tattva and making it up is Brahma
Jijnasa. The conglomeration of Samskara, Manas, Buddhi and is Atma.
1. Manas (Mind): Mind is called Manas because it has the quality of doing manana (reflecting).

The mind functions by the power of the Self.
2. Buddhi (Intellect): The intellect, which is endowed with the capacity of discrimination, is also
the instrument of the Self. The intellect has the capacity to discriminate, to decide and to
investigate.
3. Samskara (Refinement): Samskara which consists of tendencies which one develops in one’s
life forms the foundation for the next life. The tendencies are like seeds which sprout later. It is
said that the last thoughts of a man on his deathbed decide his next life. The last thoughts of
man are decided by his dominant thoughts in his life. If we wish to think of the Lord at our
deathbed, we must prepare ourselves for the final end by thinking of the Lord. Our own
practices in life decide the final thought. (ss1993-13)

Karma, Dharma and Brahman
The first sutra (aphorism) in the Brahma Sutras declares: "Athato Brahma Jijnasa” (Thereafter, the
inquiry into Brahman). In this context, how is one to seek the knowledge of the Brahman? This quest
can begin after one has acquired knowledge of Dharma. When isDharma accomplished? When the
knowledge of Karma has been mastered. There are thus three stages.
1. Karma Jijnasa (Knowledge of Karma),

2. Dharma Jijnasa (Knowledge of Dharma), [Mimamsa Sutra begins with "Athato Dharma
Jijnasa” (Thereafter, inquiry into Dharma).]
3. Brahma Jijnasa (Knowledge of Brahman). [Brahma Sutra begins with "Athato Brahma
Jijnasa” (Thereafter, inquiry into Brahman).]
This means the progress is from Karma to Dharma to Brahman. Hence, one must have full faith
in Karma (prescribed duties) and Dharma (principle of right conduct). To observe Dharma, one has to
ensure purity in thought, word and deed. Dharma is the basic goal of life. (sss21-20)

Samskara (Karma-Yoga) & Culture
 What is Samskruti (culture)? Samskara (refinement) is culture. That which purifies is

culture. (ss2002-01)
 Samskaras are intended not only to develop further the human qualities but also to eliminate
all remnants of animal nature in man. They are intended to turn the Pravritti (outward)
tendencies of man towards the cultivation of the Nivritti (internal).
 Samskara means getting rid of all the bad qualities, bad habits and bad thoughts and
developing good qualities, good thoughts and good actions. You should aim at goodness and
not greatness. (sss22-10)

Karma, Dharma, Brahman
The Vedas are referred to by several names. Two names which we should understand well are
 Adhyayana (Practice i.e.: Karma Jijnasa)

 Sva-Adhyaya (Atmic-Study i.e.: Dharma Jijnasa & Brahma Jijnasa)
Adhyayana: Adhyayana also means practice. When we use this word, we have also to understand
what it is that we practice. What we practice is Brahma Yajna (Brahma Yajna is Sva-Adhyaya, study
and observance of Veda). It has been said that Adhyayanabegins with Brahma Yajna. In the context of
our attempting to know the inner meaning of the word Adhyayana, we come to the conclusion
that Veda and Brahman are one and the same because we utter them together.

Sva-adhyaya: When we want to understand the meaning of the word svadhyaya, many people regard
this as representing one’s own branch. They are misinterpreting the Veda. If we
regard svadhyaya as svasakha (special branch) of the Vedas, then we imply that theVedas do not
deal with other aspects. If one wants to feel that one belongs to a particular branch or sect, Veda does
not accept such an interpretation.
Other scholars like Jaimini and Badarayana have interpreted this word by calling it Dharma
Jijnasa and Brahma Jijnasa; that is the desire to learn the meaning of dharma and of Brahma.
We must understand the inner meaning of this word sva. The word sva relates to Atma. In all aspects
of Veda, this should be the correct interpretation.

When we are on the svadhyaya (Atmic-Study), we must understand the Vedas with special reference
to Mimamsa. We will take the first injunction, “Adhato Dharma Jijnasa” (Thereafter, the inquiry
into Dharma). We have to first understand the details of the methodology and duties which go with the
word Dharma. It becomes clear that the aspect which envelops everything or that which we see all
around us is dharma.
Before dharma Jijnasa and Brahma Jijnasa, we must recognize the need for karma Jijnasa.
1. Only when we understand Karma Jijnasa,

2. can we understand Dharma Jijnasa.
3. Only after that can we understand Brahma Jijnasa.
If we want to compare these with different stages in another analogy:
1. Our being born is itself Karma Jijnasa.

2. Doing the appropriate duties is Dharma Jijnasa.
3. Realization that merely fulfilling duties gives no Ananda is Brahma Jijnasa.
The connection between Karma (birth), Dharma and Brahma is very close and one must follow the
other.
If we take another analogy:
1. Karma occupies the very first step of a pollinated flower.
2. The petals drop out and what is left is the bud of the unripe fruit.
3. When we do what we have to do to the bud, it develops into a sweet fruit.
In the same manner Karma, Dharma, and Brahma are simply three different aspects of the same
Brahman. In the two early stages of Karma and Dharma, there may be some difficulty, but in the third
stage of Brahman there is no difficulty and one is full of Ananda or bliss. But whatever path one
follows, the goal which one reaches is the same.

Path of Brahman
To convert our lives in this manner is the path of Brahman. Once we make a proper enquiry and
understand this aspect of Brahman, we realise that: Brahman is latent in Karma. Karma is latent
in Dharma. Dharma is latent in Brahman as well. One’s own self is the aspect of Brahman, and to
recognize this aspect of Brahman in everyone is the state of bliss which we should seek.
1. One who is in the path of Karma will be thinking, “I am in the light.”

2. One who is following the path of Dharma will be thinking, “The light is in me.”
3. One who has moved on to the aspect of Brahman will say, “I am the light.” (ss1974-07)

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“What is

Samskruti (culture)? Samskara (refinement) is culture. That which purifies is

1. Karma Jijnasa: Making the Chutney.

1. Performance of actions is Karma Jijnasa. [Samskara]

1. Manas (Mind): Mind is called Manas because it has the quality of doing manana (reflecting).

1. Karma Jijnasa (Knowledge of Karma),

 What is Samskruti (culture)? Samskara (refinement) is culture. That which purifies is

 Adhyayana (Practice i.e.: Karma Jijnasa)

1. Only when we understand Karma Jijnasa,

If we want to compare these with different stages in another analogy:

1. Our being born is itself Karma Jijnasa.

1. One who is in the path of Karma will be thinking, “I am in the light.”

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