Pramana (Evidence) It refers to
the means by which truth is checked.
Real knowledge or the actual happening is known as the prama or the
truth whereas the means by which the truth is checked is known as
pramana. In other words it can be said that pramana is the means that
detects the difference between truth and lie, actual and virual.
Classification of Pramana
- Charaka
- Pratyaksha
- Anumana
- Yukti
- Aptopdesha
- Sushrata
- Prayiaksha
- Anuman
- Upamana
- Aptopdesha
- Pratyaksha
When the praman or the evidence is sensed or felt by the senses
i.e. it is seen, smelled, touched by eye, hand, nose etc and then
decided by the mind about what the substance really is.
Anuman
It is the anticipation of living beings i.e. the situation where the
perceived knowledge is beyond the judgement of our senses we anticipate.
Two important things are considered Lingi (matter) and Linga (property).
By the means of Linga (property) Lingi is identified. Linga and Lingi
has Samya relation (Intimate relation), which can be explained by the
following example:
If a man smokes cigarette and the other man behind him is blind he can
make out from its smell sense that it is the smoke of cigarette. Given
the chance to pick up the same brand from cigarettes lying on table, the
blind man will not be able to do so.
Yukti Praman
Made by Charaka this praman is considered to be a Anuman Praman. Yukti
is the synonym of Yojna i.e. planning or intellectually planned. It is
noteable that Anuman is made by the means of Yukti and this is when it
is considered as Yukti Parman.
Upman Praman
It is named by Shushrutu. It is the situation in, which one very well
known thing is compared to other less known thing as result of some
degree of similarity that exists between the two. The example is of
diseases like Danustambha (bow like disease) in ayurveda that is named
so because in this type of disease the body tends to bend like a
Dhanusha (bow).
Aptopdesha
It refers to a knowledgeable person whose words are regarded as Apta
Vachan. Most of the updeshas contain these sacred informative words or
the Apta Vachan. The books that carry such words are called Aptopdesha
and the knowledge received is Aptopdesh Praman.
