First Words, Last Words

This book explores a significant intellectual debate in sixteenth-century South India, revealing how traditional views were challenged and transformed. First Words, Last Words offers a unique perspective on innovation.

The book First Words, Last Words delves into a fascinating intellectual conflict known as the 'pamphlet war' that unfolded in sixteenth-century South India. Authors Yigal Bronner and Lawrence McCrea navigate this complex debate, presenting it as a lens through which to understand the dynamics of innovation during a period marked by significant intellectual developments. This controversy emerged within the frameworks of Vedic Hermeneutics, specifically Mīmāṃsā, and Vedānta, showcasing the engagement of prominent thinkers and public figures of the time.

At the heart of First Words, Last Words is a critical examination of theoretical innovation within scholastic traditions, particularly focusing on a contentious issue surrounding scriptural interpretation. The debate centers on the role of sequence—what precedes and what follows—in shaping our understanding of sacred texts. Vyāsatīrtha and his grand-pupil Vijayīndratīrtha, representatives of Dualist Vedānta, argued for a radical reinterpretation of scriptural passages, suggesting that the concluding sections should dictate the meaning of the beginning. In contrast, the Nondualist Appayya Dīkṣita defended a more traditional stance, emphasizing the importance of the opening verses.

As the authors explore this intricate debate, First Words, Last Words reveals how the disputants gradually moved towards a groundbreaking hermeneutic-cognitive theory that diminished the significance of sequence. Through an in-depth analysis of this intellectual exchange and a comparative study of similar issues in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, the book highlights how these scholars, while appearing to adhere to traditional interpretations, were, in fact, pioneering innovative ideas that reshaped their respective traditions.