1.2.38
Mīmāṃsā Sūtra / Adhyāya 1 / 1.2.38
अविज्ञेयात्
avijñeyāt
The line
Because it cannot be known.
नेपालीमा
जानिन नसक्ने भएकाले।
Where it sits
This is the last reason in the objector's run that began at 1.2.31. The mantra is still the subject. The claim is that unintelligible formula-words are at home if only the sound is required.
Split: avijñeyāt (अविज्ञेयात्)
Sanskrit, in depth
The words
| Word | Grammar | Sense |
|---|---|---|
| avijñeyāt (अविज्ञेयात्) | ablative singular, neuter | because it cannot be known |
The phrases
Of some mantras a meaning cannot be made out. The bhāṣya (भाष्य) cites stretches such as 'sṛṇyeva (सृण्येव) jarbharī (जर्भरी) turpharītu (तुर्फरीतु),' strings no hearer parses into a rite.
What would those sounds convey? For a mere utterance there is no fault. The objector closes his list: mantras are for uttering.
Sanskrit in this line
Avijñeya (अविज्ञेय) is the gerundive of vi-jñā (वि-ज्ञा) with a, not to be cognized. The ablative is the reason.
Say it back
End the objector's list: a mantra no one can parse is, on his view, still in order if only the sound matters.
Next
1.2.39. A mantra that names a king would have begun with that king.