Page 37 - Hinduism

manner. To the Naiyāyika the Veda is authoritative, not because it is eternal but because it is the word of Īśvara, and therefore is infallible.
The School of Pūrvamīmamsā lays stress on dharma or performance of the acts enjoined by the Veda. As the course of karma is eternal, saṁsāra too is eternal. There is no creation, no destruction. Those who perform acts prohibited by the Veda, are born as worms and insects or go to hell. Those who perform karma for attaining some desire will be reborn again and again. If the dharma enjoined in the Veda is performed for its own sake, without desiring any benefit, it protuces what is termed apūrva, which in its turn destroys the connection with karma and makes the soul realise itself. This is mokṣa according to this school. Then the soul enjoys eternal bliss. This school accepts no separate God or Īśvara, who will dole out the fruits of the acts.
The Sāṅkhyas, the Yogas and the Pūrvamīmāṁsakas accept an infinite number of Jīvas who are eternal and who are found in everything; but they do not accept an Īśvara who is capable of fulfilling their desires. To the Pūrvamīmāṁsakas, the Vedas are eternal and impersonal. The omission to perform the prescribed duties results in sin.
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