Means of Knowledge

One of the fundamental question that we encounter in philosophical (epistemological) discussion is about the process of acquiring the correct knowledge. There are many ways through which we acquire knowledge. The order signifies the validity of the acquired knowledge. Valid means of knowledge, almost universally accepted with minor additions, according to scriptures are as follows.

1. Direct perception:(pratyaksha) That we see, hear, taste, sense or listen. No other proof is required to conclude about something that we could directly perceive from our own sensory organs. This is identified as first means.
2. Inference (Anumana): Based on our past direct experience and present observation, we could perceive knowledge in many occasion. The observation of smoke confirms the fire - as the observer has seen fire generating smoke.
3. Textual (Sabda): Vedas are the final means of knowledge. Here again 'Sabda' has several qualifications making it very precise.

Sabda also includes trusted sources (Apta) like people who are knowledgable and trust worthy. Though the description of Apta appears to us as quite reasonable, there are additional qualifers for the 'Knowledgeable' and 'Trust worthy' making the definition more precise and strict. [1]

When we review our own experience of acquiring knowledge, we notice that we use these means to acquire any type of knowledge. While studying Physics, for example, we acquire theoretical knowledge from text books through a qualified teacher. Then, we verify that knowledge through experimentation. Outcome of the experiments help us to perceive knowledge either directly or by inference means.

Observation: Means of knowledge adopted by scientific community and the traditional community are same.

Notes: In our daily lives, we see many situations where people use Sabda as the first means of knowledge and personal preference as the first source of Dharma. This creates undesirable situations. Intolerance could traced to change of order of the means of knowledge and sources of Dharma.