TRANSACTIONS 



ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY. 



Essay on the Philosophy of the Hindus. Part V. By Henry Thomas 

 CoLEBROOKE, Esq., Dir, R.A.S. 



Read April 7th, I827. 



INTRODUCTION. 



A PRECEDING essay on Indian philosophy* contained a succinct account 

 of the Cai~ma-mimdmd. The present one will be devoted to the Brahma- 

 rmmdnsd ; which, as the complement of the former, is termed uttara, 

 later, contrasted with purva, prior, being the investigation of proof dedu- 

 cible from the vedas in regard to theology, as the other is in regard to "works 

 and their merit. The two together, then, comprise the complete system of 

 interpretation of the precepts and doctrine of the vedas, both practical and 

 theological. They are parts of one whole. The later mimdnsd is supple- 

 mentary to the prior, and is expressly affirmed to be so : but, differing on 

 many important points, though agreeing on others, they are essentially dis- 

 tinct in a religious as in a pliilosophical view. 



The ordinary designation of the uttara mimdnsd is veddnta, a term like- 

 wise of more comprehensive import. It literally signifies " conclusion of 

 the veda," and bears reference to the upanishads, which are, for the most 

 part, terminating sections of the vedas to which they belong. It implies, 

 however, the doctrine derived from them, and extends to books of sacred 



• Vol. i. p. 439. 

 Vol. II. B 



