Mimamsa Darshana and Ayurveda: Relation and Similarities

By Dr. Regina Antony
Mimamsa Darshana is one among the six schools of ancient Indian philosophies.
The word ‘Mimamsa’ means ‘Investigation’. 
The two divisions of Meemamsa Darshan are –

1. Poorva Meemamsa Darshana

Poorva means ‘earlier’. It deals with the earlier part of the Vedas (called the Karmakanda). Its scope is to interpret the actions explained in the Vedas, leading to salvation. It is also called Dharma Meemamsa.
It was explained by Maharshi Jaimini.
This Darshana explains more about the soul (Atma), the senses (indriyas) and the body (sharira).
It enlists 21 qualities (gunas).
It explains about 3 types of Shareera (body) –
Swedaja – which originates from sweat
Andaja – which originates from egg
Jarayuja – which originates from placenta

Poorva Mimamsa and Ayurveda

Poorva Mimamsa believed that a person will attain Moksha or salvation if he follows the rituals like Yagna, Yaga etc.
In Ayurveda, Acharya Charaka states that health is important to attain the Purusharthas viz, Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha. Without good health, it is said that nobody can reach the ultimate goal.
Both Poorva Mimamsa and Ayurveda agreed on
Moksha (salvation) as the aim of life,
The relation between action (karma) and its result (karma phala),
Theory of Nava Dravyas (9 components).
Read related: Influence Of Ayurveda in Darshanas: Analysis, Explanation

2. Uttara Mimamsa Darsan

Uttara means ‘latter’. It deals with the latter part of the Vedas. Its scope is to interpret the knowledge revealed in the Vedas, leading to salvation. It is also called Vedanta Darshana.
It was propounded by Veda Vyas or Badarayana Vyas or Krishna Dwipayan.

Uttara Mimamsa and Ayurveda

Most of the points of Uttara Mimamsa Darshana are accepted by Ayurveda. One of the most important similarities is – While describing the theory of ‘Loka Purusha Samya’ (similarities between nature or creation and human being), Acharya Charaka stated that ‘Brahma Padartha’ mentioned in ‘Vedanta Darshana’ is the ‘Antaratma’ or soul in our body.
Read related: Sankhya Darshana and Ayurveda: Relation and Similarities