Srivachana Bhushana {1}

[Guest guest]

I would like to make this offering of one of the

seminal texts of Srivaishnavism in a serielised

format.

 

Srivacana Bhushana

Of Swami Pillai Lokacharya

 

Sutra 1.

The purport of the Vedas is revealed through the

Smrtis, Itihasas and Puranas.

 

Puport:

Smrtis are the law books (Dharma Shastras) which

deal with civic and religious laws as well as the

regulations of personal conduct. Itihasas are the

two epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Puranas

are the 18 books which deal with mythology, legends,

history and the specific worship of the Gods; Vishnu,

Siva and Shakti (the Divine Mother)

 

Sutra 2.

The purport of the earlier portion [Karma Khanda] is

established by Smrti the purport of the later portion

[Jñana Khanda] is established by the other two

[itihasas and Puranas].

 

Purport: The subject matter of the Vedas is divided

into two parts. The "prior portion" of the Vedas is

the Karma-Kanda or the section dealing with rituals,

their interpretation and their application; also

known as Mimamsa.

 

The "latter portion" is the Jnana-kanda or Vedanta

(Upanishads), the section dealing with philosophy,

wisdom and theology, Lokacharya in this treatise

deals with the purport of the knowledge portaion.

 

The Smrtis (legal texts) aid the proper application

of Karma-Kanda (action, duty, ritual), whereas the

Puranas and Itihasas are more useful for comprehending

the Jñana-Kanda (knowledge).

 

Srirama Ramanuja Acharya