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Written by Sri Madhvacharya |
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‘Pramana' in the shastraic parlance indicates a statement which supports
or proves a theory proposed to be established (the 'jiva paramatma bheda'
for example. One philosophic
thinker put the number of 'pramanas' as five ,while
another put it as seven or so. Srimadacharya ,in his above mentioned
work has stated that the main 'pramanas' are three ' PRATYAKSHA,ANUMANA
and AGAMA" and all other types of pramanas stated by others merge within
these. 'pratyaksha' is whatever knowledge we gain with our senses(when
they are free from any defects);'anumAna' is a logical statement made in
support of the theory ; and Agama' is a scriptural work accepted as 'pramana'
or authoritative. Sri Madhvacharya has explained the nature of the first
two and has stated that 'anumana' not supported by either 'pratyaksha'
or 'Agama' may not hold good and can be misleading.
He has also defined the texts which are to be treated as 'Agamas'. |
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