Word

Pramana

Sanskrit

प्रमाण

IAST

pramāṇa

In General

The valid sources of knowledge is called Pramana. By pramanasastra we consider written texts with Veda at the helm. Pramana is a much more broad word and that accept all kind of knowledge that are reliable.

According to various branches of philosophy like nyaya, vaiseshika, yoga, mimmsa there are many sources of valid knowledge. Vaiseshika consider only Pratyakṣa (perception), Anumaṇa (inference) as the means to achieve knowledge and refute all other as apramana (unreliable). Nyaya consider two more sources to the list upamana (analogy) and sabdha (realiable person or text). Some other schools of thought identify Upamaṇa ( analogy) Arthapatti (postulation), Anupalabdi ( knowing the absence) also as a source of valid knowledge.