Different Kinds of Pramāṇa in Traditional Indian Philosophy

In India epistemology is an essential part of different part of different systems of philosophy. All schools of Indian philosophy, without exception accept a fact that epistemology is very important because they regard, ignorance as the root cause of human suffering. Therefore, they try to discuss carefully all aspects relating to the definition, means,validity and the way to achieve proper knowledge. this task is carried out to overcome suffering and to get liberation. 

Pramāṇa literally means "proof" and "means of knowledge”. It refers to epistemology in Indian philosophies, and is one of the key, much debated fields of study in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, since ancient times. It is a theory of knowledge, and encompasses one or more reliable and valid means by which human beings gain accurate, true knowledge

·         Hinduism (Advaita Vedanta and Bhatta Mimamsa schools) identifies six Pramanas as correct means of accurate knowledge and to truths:

1.      Pratyakṣa (perception),

2.      Anumāṇa (inference),

3.      Upamāṇa (comparison and analogy),

4.      Arthāpatti (presumption, postulation, derivation from circumstances),

5.      Anupalabdhi (non-perception, negative/cognitive proof) and

6.      Śabda (word, testimony of past or present reliable experts).

·         Carvaka School

Carvaka School accepted only one valid source of knowledge i.e. Perception. It held all remaining methods as outright invalid or prone to error and therefore invalid

·         Vaisheshika school

Epistemologically, the Vaiśeṣika School considered the following as the only proper means of knowledge:

1.     Perception (Pratyakṣa)

2.     Inference (Anumāna)

·         Jainism, Sankhya, Yoga, Vishishtadvaita Vedanta, and Dvaita Vedanta schools

According to the Sankhya, Yoga, and two sub-schools of Vedanta, the proper means of knowledge must rely on these three pramanas

1.     Pratyakṣa — perception

2.     Anumāna — inference

3.     Śabda — testimony/word of reliable experts

·         Nyaya school

The Nyāya School accepts four means of obtaining knowledge (pramāṇa), viz., Perception, Inference, Comparison and Word.

1.     Perception, called Pratyakṣa

2.     Inference, called Anumāna,

3.     Comparison, called Upamāna.

4.     Word, or Śabda are also accepted as a pramāṇa.

·         Buddhism accepts only two Pramana as valid means to knowledge:

1.      Pratyaksha (perception) and

2.      Anumāṇa (inference).

Rinbochay adds that Buddhism also considers scriptures as third valid pramana, such as from Buddha and other "valid minds" and "valid persons". This third source of valid knowledge is a form of perception and inference in Buddhist thought. Valid scriptures, valid minds and valid persons are considered in Buddhism as Avisamvadin (incontrovertible, indisputable). Means of cognition and knowledge, other than perception and inference, are considered invalid in Buddhism. In Buddhism, the two most important scholars of pramāṇa are Dignāga and Dharmakīrti.