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CHAPTER IX
THREE MODES OF ORDINARY PERCEPTION
1. Nirvikalpaka and savikalpaka perceptions
As we have noticed in a previous chapter, perception has been divided by the Naiyayikas into two broad classes, namely, laukika or the ordinary and alaukika or the extraordinary. This division depends on the nature of the sense-object contact that is involved in all perceptions. Ordinary perception again, has been divided into the six kinds of olfactory, gustatory, visual, tactual, auditory and mental perceptions. Such classification of ordinary perceptions has reference to the senses concerned in perception. According to another classification, ordinary perception is of two kinds, namely, nirvikalpaka or the indeterminate and savikalpaka or the determinate. Here the principle of classification is the character of the perceptual knowledge which arises from sense-object contact. To these two kinds of perception we may add pratyabhijñā or recognition as a special form of determinate perception. Thus keeping in view the nature of perception, the Naiyayikas distinguish between three modes of ordinary perception, namely, the nirvikalpaka, the savikalpaka and pratyabhijñā. Extraordinary perception being explicit and definite knowledge, has but one mode, namely, the savikalpaka or determinate. '
While the distinction between nirvikalpaka and savi kalpaka perceptions is generally recognised in Indian philosophy, there is much difference of opinion, among the
1 Alnukkah tu,, savikalpakameva, Nyayakota, p. 499.
