Origins & Early Life

Prabhakara (IAST: Prabhākara) active c. 6th century was an Indian philosopher-grammarian in the Mīmāṃsā tradition of Kerala. Hariswamin's commentary on Shatapatha Brahmana which dates to 638 CE discusses the doctrine of Prabhākara's followers. Prabhākara in his commentary Bṛhatī on the Śabara Bhāṣya quotes only Bhartṛhari (4-5 CE) and Bharavi (5-6 CE).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Thus his probable time can be assigned to the latter half of the 6th century. His views on Śabara’s Bhāṣya, a commentary on Jaimini’s Pūrvamīmāmsā Sūtras led to rise of Prābhākara school within Mīmāṃsā and further developed as competent philosophical system along with the rival school of Kumārila Bhaṭṭa. The Prābhākara school is alleged to be nastika (atheistic) or Charvaka|Lokāyata school. Kumārila said: For in practice the Mimamsa has been for the most part converted into a Lokayata system; But I have made this effort to bring it into a theistic path. Here Kumārila refers to Bhartriprapancha, held by somebody as the forerunner of the Prābhākara system.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

It is generally believed that the Mīmāmsakas and specially the Prābhākaras are atheists. But the source books of the Prābhākara School state in unequivocal terms...

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