Pramana

pramANa

A Pramana is defined as the one that does not exceed the object in any manner i.e., which sees the object exactly as it is. A prAmANa, therefore, is the proof for the categorical existence or non-existence of a particular object as it appears. There are two types of pramANAs

1. kevala pramANa

2. anu pramANa

Etymology:

The word pramaNa is derived from the root mA~N mAne when an upasarga(prefix) 'pra' and pratyaya (suffix) ‘lyut’ is added to it.

The meaning of the root mAne is knowledge.

lyut pratyaya has three probable meanings karaNa(which is ‘a means to some action’), bhAva(meaning of the root verb itself) and adhikaraNa(location)

1. pra + man + a (lyut) [bhAva] = knowledge

2. pra + man + a (lyut) [karaNa] = means of knowledge

3. pra + man + a (lyut) [adhikaraNa] = not in use

Therefore, the word pramaNa can take one of the two meanings

1. Knowledge 2. Means of Knowledge

References

pramaNa laxaNa

pramaNa padhDhathi

pramANachandrikA