History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c93.435

v7.c93.435

The first rule is that no part of the Veda (not even a word) can be treated as *anarthaka* (meaningless or purposeless). It is therefore that a very large part of the Veda is treated as arthavādas intended to praise vidhis. This has been stated above (p. 1243). The result of the vital importance attached to vidhis in the PMS and of the assignment of a very subordinate role to *arthavādas* (as merely intended to praise) and to mantras (as merely 'abhidhāyaka') has resulted in this that a small portion of the Brāhmaṇas has been held to be of supreme authority, while a large part of the Brāhmaṇas and of Saṁhitās containing mantras has become of secondary importance or of little importance.