Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c8.6

c8.6

**Its Subject-matter: (1) ‘Dharma’ and (2) ‘Brahma’.** The subject-matter of Veda, therefore, is described as twofold: (1) *Dharma* and (2) *Brahma* which can be known only through the Veda and not through any other source [*Dharmabrahmaṇī Vedaikavedye* (Jaimini, Pūrva-Mīmāṁsā Sutra)]. *Dharma* is something which is not objective or within the ken of sense-perception. It is the fruit of the performance of prescribed rites and is something which is not visible (adṛishṭamiti sarvairabhidhīyate). Similarly, *Brahma*, too, has been explained as something which, as the Cause of Creation, can be known only through the evidence of Śāstras (Śāstrādeva pramāṇāt jagatojanmādi-kāraṇaṁ Brahmādhigamyate). There is also the Śruti text : NāVedavinmanute taṁ bṛihantam [*Tai. Br.*, iii, 12, 9, 7] ; "*He who does not know the Veda cannot comprehend Brahma*," because, as further pointed out, *Brahma*, being formless and causeless, cannot be known except through the Veda.