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Purva-Mimamsa in its Sources c4: Introductory Note

Pūrva-Mīmāṃsā in its Sources c4

Language
English

Introductory Note

c4.1

It is Professor Ranade's wish that I should write a few introductory words. I had the privilege of collaborating with my father in his revised translation of the *Kāvyaprakāsha* and in the edition of the poet Chandra's *Maheshavānī*. Unfortunately, my own leanings have always been for literature and drama, and my philosophical attainments, in spite of the valuable opportunities I had at home, are nil. I cannot, therefore, say anything useful about this work. But as a child I remember the daily labours of my father both at home and at the residence of Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Chitradhara Mishra. I remember the care with which he used to correct the proofs of the *Tantra-vārttika* and *Shloka-vārttika* as they came from the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Indeed, I cannot recall any time when he was not reading or writing. At College he had to teach, unaided, all the six classes, from the Intermediate to the M.A.; he had to work at Boards and Committees, Senate and Syndicate; at Benares he had heavy administrative duties as Principal of the Sanskrit College, Superintendent of Sanskrit Studies, and Registrar; on coming back to Allahabad, he had charge of the reorganised University, which for five years controlled the affiliated colleges also; he was head of a large family; towards the closing days of his life, he suffered several domestic bereavements. But during the entire period of forty years, over which I can look back, I do not remember a single day when he was without his books and when he was not engaged in literary work. And it was not all philosophical work. He contributed regularly to the *Leader* "Musings of an Idler," in which he discussed almost every topic under the sun, religious, educational, social, political. As a member of the Council of State, he took a leading part in its deliberations. He delivered several Convocation Addresses. He delivered presidential addresses at the Oriental Conference and the Philosophical Congress. He delivered a series of lectures on Poetry for the Hindustani Academy, and a series of Hindi lectures for the Patna University. The only light reading he indulged in for relaxation was in biographical literature. We, who were so much younger and had more energy, marvelled at his industry and his versatility. In his last days he was anxious that this work on Mīmāmsā should appear early; he was anxious about the Introduction which he had undertaken to contribute to his revised translation of the Chhāndogya Upanishad; he was anxious to correct the last portions of the proofs of the Virāda-chintāmaṇi, which he had translated for the "Gaekwad Oriental Series." He had no other anxieties. He was ready and willing to depart. It is the pious privilege of the survivors to see to the publication of the last works which, despite feeble health and failing sight, he had completed.

c4.2

December 10, 1941.

c4.3

AMARANATHA JHA.

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