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UGC NET PAPER 1 · UNIT 06 · MODULE 6: INDIAN LOGIC: OTHER PRAMANAS AND THEORIES OF ERROR · TOPIC 15

Shabda (Verbal Testimony)

Reliable testimony and its kinds, the four conditions of sentence understanding, the powers of a word, theories of word-meaning, and school positions.

  • 4 sub-topics
  • 2 min read
  • Topic 15 of 19

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  1. 15.1Definition and KindsDefinition: knowledge from the statement of a reliable person (apta) , one who knows the truth and speaks it faithfully.
    • Definition
    • reliable person (apta)
    • Kinds
    • Laukika
    • Vaidika
  2. 15.2Conditions for Understanding a SentenceCondition Meaning Akanksha Mutual expectancy of words Yogyata Compatibility; absence of contradiction in meaning ("He wets with fire" violates it) Sannidhi (asatti)…
    • Akanksha
    • Yogyata
    • Sannidhi (asatti)
    • Tatparya
  3. 15.3Vrittis and Theories of Word-MeaningVrittis (powers of a word): Abhidha (primary meaning), Lakshana (indicative or secondary meaning; " Gangayam ghoshah ", "the hamlet on the Ganga" means on the bank) and…
    • Vrittis (powers of a word)
    • Abhidha
    • Lakshana
    • Vyanjana
    • Theories
  4. 15.4Position of the SchoolsSchools: Nyaya, Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta accept it.
    • Schools
    • apaurusheya
    • eternal
    • Ishvara

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15.1Definition and Kinds#

In brief

Definition: knowledge from the statement of a reliable person (apta) , one who knows the truth and speaks it faithfully.

  • Definition
  • reliable person (apta)
  • Kinds
  • Laukika
  • Vaidika
  • Drishtartha
  • Adrishtartha

Definition: knowledge from the statement of a reliable person (apta), one who knows the truth and speaks it faithfully. Words are meaningful only if understood.

Kinds:

  • Laukika (ordinary reliable speech) and Vaidika (Vedic).

  • Drishtartha (conveys perceptible matters) and Adrishtartha (conveys imperceptible matters such as heaven).

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15.2Conditions for Understanding a Sentence#

In brief

Condition Meaning Akanksha Mutual expectancy of words Yogyata Compatibility; absence of contradiction in meaning ("He wets with fire" violates it) Sannidhi (asatti)…

  • Akanksha
  • Yogyata
  • Sannidhi (asatti)
  • Tatparya
Condition Meaning
Akanksha Mutual expectancy of words
Yogyata Compatibility; absence of contradiction in meaning ("He wets with fire" violates it)
Sannidhi (asatti) Proximity/continuity of words in time
Tatparya The speaker's intention or purport

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15.3Vrittis and Theories of Word-Meaning#

In brief

Vrittis (powers of a word): Abhidha (primary meaning), Lakshana (indicative or secondary meaning; " Gangayam ghoshah ", "the hamlet on the Ganga" means on the bank) and…

  • Vrittis (powers of a word)
  • Abhidha
  • Lakshana
  • Vyanjana
  • Theories
  • Anvitabhidhanavada
  • Abhihitanvayavada
  • Sphota

Vrittis (powers of a word): Abhidha (primary meaning), Lakshana (indicative or secondary meaning; "Gangayam ghoshah", "the hamlet on the Ganga" means on the bank) and Vyanjana (suggested meaning).

Theories: Anvitabhidhanavada (Prabhakara: words denote meanings already related) versus Abhihitanvayavada (Bhatta: words first convey their own meanings, then these are related). Sphota theory (Bhartrihari, grammarian). Apoha theory (Buddhists, Dignaga): word-meaning arises by exclusion of others.

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15.4Position of the Schools#

In brief

Schools: Nyaya, Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta accept it.

  • Schools
  • apaurusheya
  • eternal
  • Ishvara

Schools: Nyaya, Mimamsa, Samkhya, Yoga and Vedanta accept it. Charvaka rejects it; Buddhists and Vaisheshikas reduce it to anumana. Mimamsakas hold the Vedas are apaurusheya (not of human origin) and sound is eternal; Nyaya holds the Vedas are authored by Ishvara and sound is non-eternal. Six lingas (marks) help determine the purport of a Vedic text.

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