zoom_in Click to enlarge

Kumarila Bhatta

▲ ▼

description Kumarila Bhatta Overview

Kumārila Bhaṭṭa was an Indian philosopher associated with the Bhāṭṭa school of Pūrva Mīmāṃsā, generally placed around the 7th or 8th century. He defended the authority and authorlessness of the Vedas and developed arguments about language, perception, inference, and the validity of knowledge. His writings also criticized Buddhist philosophical positions and helped shape later debates among Indian schools. His work is primarily studied by readers of classical Indian philosophy, epistemology, hermeneutics, and Hindu intellectual history.

help Kumarila Bhatta FAQ

What philosophical school is Kumarila Bhatta associated with?

Kumarila Bhatta was an influential Indian philosopher of the 7th or 8th century who belonged to the Mimamsa school. He is famous for fiercely defending the absolute authority of the Vedas.

What is Kumarila Bhatta's theory of knowledge?

Bhatta championed a realist theory of knowledge, arguing that perception reveals objects as they actually exist in reality. He famously debated Buddhist philosophers, who argued that perception is prone to inherent error.

What major texts did Kumarila Bhatta write?

Kumarila Bhatta is best known for his comprehensive work, the 'Shlokavarttika,' which is a commentary on the Mimamsa Sutras. This text is considered one of the most important defenses of Vedic rituals and grammar in Hindu philosophy.

Why was Kumarila Bhatta important in Indian philosophy?

Bhatta played a crucial role in reviving orthodox Hinduism by providing rigorous logical arguments against the rise of Buddhism. His work on the infallibility of the Vedas heavily influenced later thinkers across various Hindu traditions.