Founded by Jaimini, who lived around 200 B.C.E. and wrote the Mimamsa Sutras, the Mimamsa system is different from the other schools in its insistence that knowledge is insufficient for liberation. Mimamsa means “the old theology.” According to Mimamsa, ritual remains essential, even though the system did not originally require or presuppose a belief in God. The principle contribution of Mimamsa is in providing an elaborate system for interpreting the Vedas.

It is the nature of Mimamsa to clarify the precise meaning of each of the Vedic injunctions so that devotees can reach the heavenly realm after death. Mimamsa is not necessarily theistic or oriented toward the gods in a true sense; gods may exist, but the Vedas supersede all according to Mimamsa.

Classical Mimamsa does not admit the existence of any creator or destroyer of the universe. Mimamsakas (or those who follow Mimamsa) even propose arguments that positively disprove the existence of God. In fact, the world has always been in existence and requires no God.

According to the Purva (or early) Mimamsa, the sole purpose of scripture was to set forth ordained duty, which was otherwise unknowable. This was done in all sorts of Vedic passages — those expressing injunctions and prohibitions. Since no Vedic passage could be lacking in purpose, all other passages were viewed as arthaveda or helpful explanations, praises, or condemnations in connection with injunction or prohibition.