Mimamsashastrasarvasva 2.3

2.3

yadi dṛṣṭārthataiva syānmantrānānamanarthakam
pratyāyanādadṛṣṭaṃ cettaduccāraṇato varam
ucyate—
śākhānāṃ viprakīrṇatvāt puruṣāṇāṃ pramādataḥ
nānāprakaraṇasthatvātsmṛtermūlaṃ na dṛśyate 1
2 śrutiprābalyādhikaraṇam
virodhe tvanapekṣyaṃ syādasati hyanumānam

"If they had an observable purpose alone, the repetition of mantras would be useless;
if an unobserved result [arises] from making known [the meaning], it is better [to derive it] from their utterance."
It is replied—
"Because the recensions are dispersed, because of the negligence of men,
[and] because they reside in various contexts, the source of a Smṛti is not seen."
2. Topic on the superior strength of direct scriptural statement.
"In case of conflict, however, there must be disregard [of Smṛti]; for only when there is no [scriptural statement] is there inference [of one]."