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Work #1799 · Early

Slokavarttika

Kumarila Bhatta
c. 7th century · Sanskrit
Verse commentary (varttika) · Mimamsa (Bhatta sub-school)

The most powerful philosophical defence of the Vedas — authorless scripture, intrinsic validity, and the defeat of Buddhist momentariness

Attribute Fingerprint

Rows where works disagree are highlighted in gold. The full ontology grid is shown.

Attribute Slokavarttika (Early)
Time · Extent Infinite
Time · Ontological Status Substantival
Time · Grain Continuous
Time · Freedom Non-Deterministic
Time · Traversability Cyclical
Time · Dimensionality One
Time · Direction Uni-directional
Space · Extent Infinite
Space · Ontological Status Substantival
Space · Curvature not engaged
Space · Dimensionality Three
Space · Locality Local
Matter · Extent Infinite
Matter · Ontological Status Substantival
Matter · Conservation Conserved
Matter · Dimensionality Three
Matter · Locality Local
Observer · Time Instance Single
Observer · Space Instance Single
Observer · Knowledge Extent Mediate
Observer · Knowledge Retainment Total
Observer · Physicality Embodied
Observer · Agency Active
Observer · Number Plural
Observer · Metaphysical Agency None
Observer · Moral Authority Scripture
Observer · Theological Method
Energy · Extent Infinite
Energy · Ontological Status Substantival
Energy · Conservation Conserved
Energy · Dispersibility Reversible
Information · Ontological Status Substantival
Information · Cosmic Conservation Conserved
Information · Personal Conservation Conserved
Information · Granularity Continuous

Dimension-by-Dimension Evidence

What each work's passages reveal about its stance on each of the six dimensions.

Time

Slokavarttika

Infinite, beginningless; cyclical cosmic time; substantival real duration against momentariness.

Space

Slokavarttika

Infinite, substantival; ritual action requires local spatial efficacy.

Matter

Slokavarttika

Infinite, substantival, conserved; eternal atoms recombine across cosmic cycles.

Observer

Slokavarttika

Embodied enduring self (atman); mediate knowledge through six pramanas; no Ishvara.

Energy

Slokavarttika

Infinite ritual power (apurva); conserved and reversible across cosmic cycles.

Information

Slokavarttika

Substantival, conserved; the Vedas are eternal repositories of uncreated information.

Internal Tensions

Where each work's argument pulls against itself.

Slokavarttika

Tension between rational defence and scriptural authority; if cognition is intrinsically valid, why do the Vedas need defence? Denial of Ishvara while defending Vedic inerrancy.