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[[Ayurveda]] is a science based on experiential knowledge, observations, and scientific principles related to health and disease. It includes the philosophy of life related to the human body and its physiology. Being a traditional and ancient science, it has imbibed few principles or dictums from its contemporary sciences like ‘darshana’. The darshana shastra are authoritative texts of ancient Indian philosophy. Thus the philosophical basis of [[Ayurveda]] originated from various streams of thoughts like Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Mimansa, Vedanta etc. Pramana are also one of these important contributions of the philosophical sciences incorporated in [[Ayurveda]] texts. Pramana are tools or methods to acquire knowledge about any particular object or phenomena. Thus for understanding any topic or in order to establish the truth, it is necessary to learn the proper methodology. Pramana are investigative processes to gain authentic knowledge. It includes the process of scientific investigation and validation. According to Nyaya system of philosophy (nyaya darshana), pramana is the foremost means to obtain knowledge about a certain phenomenon.  

[[Ayurveda]] is a science based on experiential knowledge, observations, and scientific principles related to health and disease. It includes the philosophy of life related to the human body and its physiology. Being a traditional and ancient science, it has imbibed few principles or dictums from its contemporary sciences like ‘darshana’. The darshana shastra are authoritative texts of ancient Indian philosophy. Thus the philosophical basis of [[Ayurveda]] originated from various streams of thoughts like Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Mimansa, Vedanta etc. Pramana are also one of these important contributions of the philosophical sciences incorporated in [[Ayurveda]] texts. Pramana are tools or methods to acquire knowledge about any particular object or phenomena. Thus for understanding any topic or in order to establish the truth, it is necessary to learn the proper methodology. Pramana are investigative processes to gain authentic knowledge. It includes the process of scientific investigation and validation. According to Nyaya system of philosophy (nyaya darshana), pramana is the foremost means to obtain knowledge about a certain phenomenon.  

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==Etymology and derivation==

==Etymology and derivation==

===Derivation: ===

===Derivation: ===

The word pramana is derived from Sanskrit verb ‘ma’ with prefix ‘pra’.<ref name=s>Jha Srujan. Shabdakalpadruma online application</ref>  where ‘ma’ dhatu means “to measure” or ” to mete out”

The word pramana is derived from Sanskrit verb ‘ma’ with prefix ‘pra’.<ref name=s>Jha Srujan. Shabdakalpadruma online application</ref>  where ‘ma’ dhatu means “to measure” or ” to mete out”

It is the process of examination, validation, and authentication of any object or phenomenon to understand its true nature. Thus, pramana are understood as pariksha according to [[Ayurveda]].

It is the process of examination, validation, and authentication of any object or phenomenon to understand its true nature. Thus, pramana are understood as pariksha according to [[Ayurveda]].

 

==Synonyms==

==Synonyms==

Thus the synonyms of Pramana can be understood as given below:  

Thus the synonyms of Pramana can be understood as given below:  

Pramana are described under the heading of Vaada-marga. [Charak Samhita [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/ 27].  The Vaada-marga are different tools or methods to establish the related facts and phenomena.  

Pramana are described under the heading of Vaada-marga. [Charak Samhita [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/ 27].  The Vaada-marga are different tools or methods to establish the related facts and phenomena.  

 

===Other meanings:===  

===Other meanings:===  

The word pramana is applied to denote assessment or measurement.  

The word pramana is applied to denote assessment or measurement.  

These constitute an examination of a person to assess normal or abnormal body constitution called ‘ pramanatah pariksha". [Charak Samhita [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/ 94]  

These constitute an examination of a person to assess normal or abnormal body constitution called ‘ pramanatah pariksha". [Charak Samhita [[Vimana Sthana]] 8/ 94]  

 

===Sources:===

===Sources:===

Different streams of philosophy have accepted different numbers and types of pramana according to their need and utility to explain their philosophical aspects. This can be summarised in the table given below:

Different streams of philosophy have accepted different numbers and types of pramana according to their need and utility to explain their philosophical aspects. This can be summarised in the table given below:

|Others || Pratyaksha, Anumana, Shabda, Upamana, Arthapatti, Abhaava,  Sambhava, Aitihya, Cheshta , Parishesha

|Others || Pratyaksha, Anumana, Shabda, Upamana, Arthapatti, Abhaava,  Sambhava, Aitihya, Cheshta , Parishesha

|}

|}

 

==Classification: ==

==Classification: ==

===Types of pramana:===

===Types of pramana:===

'''Two types:'''

'''Two types:'''

This is similar to aptopadesha pramana described earlier. It refers to obtaining references or knowledge from the veda.

This is similar to aptopadesha pramana described earlier. It refers to obtaining references or knowledge from the veda.

 

==Importance of concept of pramana:==

==Importance of concept of pramana:==

 

'''a) In preservation and promotion of health:'''

'''a) In preservation and promotion of health:'''

Pramana are used in the medical texts like Charak and Sushruta Samhita to explain the knowledge matter to fellow peers and students. Thus it has wide applicability in the field of academic teaching and learning for accurate description of subject matter. Aptopadesha is the ideal method of learning any new phenomenon based on the basic known facts about the subject matter. Pratyaksha pramana helps to develop the scientific and self-experience-based method to acquire and analyze the knowledge. Anumana helps in the predictive and logical interpretation of knowledge factor. Yukti is the logical reasoning aimed at the development of the psychomotor domains of acquiring knowledge.

Pramana are used in the medical texts like Charak and Sushruta Samhita to explain the knowledge matter to fellow peers and students. Thus it has wide applicability in the field of academic teaching and learning for accurate description of subject matter. Aptopadesha is the ideal method of learning any new phenomenon based on the basic known facts about the subject matter. Pratyaksha pramana helps to develop the scientific and self-experience-based method to acquire and analyze the knowledge. Anumana helps in the predictive and logical interpretation of knowledge factor. Yukti is the logical reasoning aimed at the development of the psychomotor domains of acquiring knowledge.

 

==Contemporary approach:==

==Contemporary approach:==

 

In view of contemporary medical methods, the concept of pramana is most similar or closely related to epistemology. Epistemology is the science of correct Knowledge. It is the process or method or science to obtain the knowledge.  It basically gives information regarding the sources of knowledge. It is an important part of research methodology forming the backbone of the same. It answers basic questions pertaining to knowledge process like how, when, what, and why. It is the basis of knowledge, understanding and formation. According to James Fredrick Farrier, it is means of production of knowledge and it is scepticism about different knowledge claims. Epistemology involves the process of obtaining knowledge either through inductive or deductive process. The inductive process aims at formation of new theory while the deductive approach tests the knowledge and known theory. Thus the process of the inductive approach is from narrow to broad while deductive approach goes from broader knowledge to precise more specific knowledge.   

In view of contemporary medical methods, the concept of pramana is most similar or closely related to epistemology. Epistemology is the science of correct Knowledge. It is the process or method or science to obtain the knowledge.  It basically gives information regarding the sources of knowledge. It is an important part of research methodology forming the backbone of the same. It answers basic questions pertaining to knowledge process like how, when, what, and why. It is the basis of knowledge, understanding and formation. According to James Fredrick Farrier, it is means of production of knowledge and it is scepticism about different knowledge claims. Epistemology involves the process of obtaining knowledge either through inductive or deductive process. The inductive process aims at formation of new theory while the deductive approach tests the knowledge and known theory. Thus the process of the inductive approach is from narrow to broad while deductive approach goes from broader knowledge to precise more specific knowledge.   

Summary of articles is given below.

The available literature related to researches pertaining to the concept of pramana and its understanding, application primarily involves review articles. The articles are directed at various aspects of pramana including its application in clinical practice, research , teaching and learning field. Literature is also available on the detailed explanation of various pramana separately. Only few of these articles are available in the recognised peer reviewed journals. There is scope for robust investigation on the scientific evidence-based understanding of pramana and its application in practice. Summary of articles is given below.

1) Pooja T. et al worked on a review article entitled “anumana pramana and its Scope as a diagnostic and research tool”. This study focused on significance of Anumana pramana in interpreting subtle phenomenon like the functioning of tri[[dosha]] in health and disease, role of unseen karmic effects on disease-occurrence and palliation, concept of rebirth etc.  

1) Pooja T. et al worked on a review article entitled “anumana pramana and its Scope as a diagnostic and research tool”. This study focused on significance of Anumana pramana in interpreting subtle phenomenon like the functioning of tri[[dosha]] in health and disease, role of unseen karmic effects on disease-occurrence and palliation, concept of rebirth etc.  

9) C. Bhuvaneswari, Meenakshi Malik, M. Sreevani, K. Venkat Shivudu in their article, significance of using upamana pramana in Ayurveda evaluated the upamana pramana in three aspects i.e. physiological, diagnostic, and philosophical aspects.  

9) C. Bhuvaneswari, Meenakshi Malik, M. Sreevani, K. Venkat Shivudu in their article, significance of using upamana pramana in Ayurveda evaluated the upamana pramana in three aspects i.e. physiological, diagnostic, and philosophical aspects.  

 

==References:==

==References:==