Pramanas in Indian philosophy
by CHANDAN PODDER
In Indian philosophy, Pramana means "proof" or
"valid means of knowledge." There are six
recognized Pramanas in Indian philosophy, which
are:
1. Pratyaksha (Perception) - Pratyaksha
Pramana is the direct perception of objects
through our senses. For example, seeing a
tree, hearing a bird's song, smelling a rose,
tasting food, and feeling the texture of a
surface.
2. Anumana (Inference) - Anumana Pramana is
the indirect knowledge acquired through
reasoning or deduction. For example,
inferring that it is going to rain because you
see dark clouds in the sky, or that a person is
at home because their car is parked in the
driveway.
3. Upamana (Comparison) - Upamana Pramana
is the knowledge gained through comparison
or analogy. For example, understanding the
concept of speed by comparing it to the
movement of a car or a bicycle.
4. Shabda (Verbal Testimony) - Shabda Pramana
is the knowledge gained through
authoritative testimony or scripture. For
example, trusting a teacher or an expert's
words on a particular subject, or studying
religious texts.
5. Arthapatti (Presumption) - Arthapatti
Pramana is the knowledge gained through
the presumption or necessary implication.
For example, presuming that a person is rich
because they are wearing expensive clothes.
6. Anupalabdhi (Non-Perception) - Anupalabdhi
Pramana is the knowledge gained through
the absence or non-existence of an object.
For example, understanding that there is no
elephant in a room because you cannot see or
hear it.
Some examples
1. Pratyaksha (Perception)
• Seeing a sunset
• Hearing a musical performance
• Smelling the fragrance of flowers
• Tasting a delicious meal
• Touching a hot stove
2. Anumana (Inference)
• Inferring that it is winter because you see
snow on the ground
• Concluding that a person is a doctor because
they are wearing a lab coat and stethoscope
• Deducing that a storm is coming because you
feel a drop in air pressure
• Inferring that a person is happy because they
are smiling
• Concluding that a plant needs water because
its leaves are wilting
3. Upamana (Comparison)
• Understanding the concept of a marathon by
comparing it to a long-distance race
• Understanding the concept of meditation by
comparing it to the stillness of a lake
• Understanding the concept of mindfulness by
comparing it to a calm and clear sky
• Understanding the concept of courage by
comparing it to a lion
4. Shabda (Verbal Testimony)
• Learning about history from a textbook
• Studying physics from a professor's lectures
• Hearing about a friend's personal experience
• Learning about religion from sacred texts
• Understanding a language by listening to a
fluent speaker
5. Arthapatti (Presumption)
• Presuming that a person has a car because
they are carrying keys
• Presuming that a person is busy because they
are not answering their phone
• Presuming that a person is intelligent
because they are wearing glasses
• Presuming that a person is wealthy because
they are living in a luxurious mansion
6. Anupalabdhi (Non-Perception)
• Understanding that there is no one in a room
because you don't see or hear anyone
• Realizing that there are no more cookies in
the jar because you don't see any
• Knowing that a person is not home because
their car is not parked in the driveway
• Understanding that a restaurant is closed
because the lights are off and the door is
locked
1. Which Pramana refers to direct perception
through the senses? a) Pratyaksha b)
Anumana c) Upamana d) Shabda
2. Which Pramana refers to indirect knowledge
acquired through reasoning or deduction? a)
Pratyaksha b) Anumana c) Upamana d)
Shabda
3. Which Pramana refers to the knowledge
gained through authoritative testimony or
scripture? a) Pratyaksha b) Anumana c)
Upamana d) Shabda
4. Which Pramana refers to the knowledge
gained through comparison or analogy? a)
Pratyaksha b) Anumana c) Upamana d)
Shabda
5. Which Pramana refers to the knowledge
gained through the absence or non-existence
of an object? a) Pratyaksha b) Anumana c)
Upamana d) Anupalabdhi
6.Which Pramana refers to the knowledge
gained through the presumption or necessary
implication? a) Arthapatti b) Shabda c)
Anupalabdhi d) Upamana
7.Which Pramana is also known as verbal
testimony? a) Pratyaksha b) Anumana c)
Upamana d) Shabda
8.Which Pramana is used to gain knowledge of
things that cannot be perceived directly? a)
Anumana b) Shabda c) Upamana d)
Anupalabdhi
9.Which Pramana is used to gain knowledge
through comparison or analogy? a) Upamana
b) Anupalabdhi c) Arthapatti d) Shabda
10.Which Pramana is used to gain knowledge
through the absence or non-existence of an
object? a) Pratyaksha b) Anumana c)
Upamana d) Anupalabdhi
