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52
Hermann Kuhn
There are two types of pramana: 1 - direct insight (pratyaksha) - is the highest form of
pramana. We experience it directly in our consciousness without the help of external and physical carriers (i.e. without the help of sense-impressions, books or teachers).
This type of insight causes such clear and selfevident understanding of facts and circumstances, situations and interconnectedness that no proof by further factors is needed.
2 - indirect insight (paroksha) we obtain with the help of
external means and carriers like sense-impressions, books or teachers.
Indirect insight can be faulty. Its validity needs to be examined.
Sutras 6 to 31 explain
- what we perceive through pramana, - what mechanisms control this process and - how we can develop and expand this ability.
- Partial sight (naya) - is an analytic method to explore manifestations of the elements from a limited perspective. It is a precise instrument that amplifies one particular form or one particular quality of an element.
Partial sights (nayas) are individual aspects (parts) of pramana. Their origin is always pramana, i.e. they always arise from total perception.
The purpose of partial sights (nayas) is to make us conscious of special areas of what we perceived through pramana. They investigate pramana from a limited perspec
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