A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.441

c5.441

5. Pūrva-mīmānsā. 6. Uttara-mīmānsā. The prior and later Mīmānsās. These are both included in the general term Vedānta, but the Pūrva-mīmānsā is commonly known as the Mīmānsā and the Uttara-mīmānsā as the Vedānta, ‘the end or object of the Vedas.’ The Pūrva-mīmānsā was founded by Jaimini, and the Uttara-mīmānsā is attributed to Vyāsa, the arranger of the Vedas. "The object of both these schools is to teach the art of reasoning with the express purpose of aiding the interpretation of the Vedas, not only in the speculative but the practical portion." The principal doctrines of the Vedānta (Uttara) are that "God is the omniscient and omnipotent cause of the existence, continuance, and dissolution of the universe. Creation is an act of his will; he is both the efficient and the material cause of the world.” At the consummation of all things all are resolved into him. He is “the sole-existent and universal soul,” and besides him there is no second principle; he is *adwaita*, ‘without a second.’ Sankarāchārya was the great apostle of this school.