anumāna
Root: mā Devanāgarī: अनुमान Translation: inference; the act of inferring or drawing a conclusion Related concepts:anu, pratyakṣa, āgama, pramāṇa, vṛttiAppears in
Yoga Sūtra: Sāṃkhya Kārikā:Click here for complete Saṃskṛta Index
Commentaries around
“The first type of Pramāṇa, Pratyakṣa, arises from the continuous active link,
through the mind and senses, between Jīva and the object it perceives.
The second type, Anumāna, is when present perception is
based on what has been seen in other situations in the past.
For instance, when I see dark clouds, I think that it may rain.
With the third type, Āgamā, undistorted words from
a reliable source are the basis for perception.
The Veda are Pramāṇa by virtue of their source.
The sage Āpastamba proclaimed that the Veda are Pramāṇa for Dharma.”
– T Krishnamacharya on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 7
“We perceive through
our senses,
inference and
others testimony.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 7
“In Sūtra 1.7 Patañjali defines Pramāṇa as having three sources.
How do we discern that all three are not, in reality, self-selective
ascertainments and thus, just all muddled variants of Anumāna?”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 7
“The means to right perception
involves direct observation,
inference and authentic authority.”
– Paul Harvey on Sāṃkhya Kārikā Āryā Four
“Direct observation involves selective ascertainment through the senses.
Inference is of three kinds:
– The past shaping the future
– Projecting the whole from the part
– Forming a comparison from a similar.
Authentic authority is trusted words and teachings.”
– Paul Harvey on Sāṃkhya Kārikā Āryā Five
“Knowledge of what is beyond the range of the senses
is from inference based on generalised correlation;
and knowledge not attainable even by that is attained
though the eyes of another or authentic texts.”
– Paul Harvey on Sāṃkhya Kārikā Āryā Six
“So how do you find out these important facts?
According to Patañjali an object which can be understood by the mind
can be perceived in three ways Pratyakṣa, Anumāna, Āgamā:
Pratyakṣa (through the senses) – Direct perception
In other words the object placed in front of you.
The senses help us in comprehending the object.
Anumāna (inference) – We don’t have all the information.
We have certain indications that allow us to complete the picture.
Anu – to follow.
From the part you can get the whole.
From the effect you get to the cause.
Āgamā (authentic teachings) – No information directly.
Only information is from words
Some truth that has already existed.
We take the words and believe them as if we had seen it for ourselves.
For example God.
Patañjali has proposed three approaches or systems to verify the indications.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
“Svādhyāya –
Reflecting on our actions will tell us something about oneself.
The word means going toward oneself.
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya.
Also means study of texts.
For example Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Pūrṇa Matsyendrāsana.
Is the effect different from what it said will happen?
This leads to Svādhyāya and Anumāna or to a teacher.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983
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