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CHAPTER XX
OTHER SOURCES OF KNOWLEDGE
1. Different news about the ultimate sources of knowledge
There is much difference of opinion ainong Indian thinkers as to what the ultimate sources of human knowledge are for the Cārvākas, who are radical empiricists, perception is the only valid source of our knowledge and all true knowledge comes from perception. The Buddhists hold that perception and inference are the two ultimate sources of true knowledge, which include other sources like upamūna and sabda According to the Sānkhya and the Yoga system, śabda oi vei bal testimony also should be recognised as an independent source of kuowledge like perception and inference. The Sāmkhya includes upamānu, arthāpatti and sambhuva under inference, and abhūra under perception.' The Naiyāyıkas aie in favour of the view that there are four independent sources of knowledge, namely, perception, inference, testimony and upamāna or comparison. According to them, the other sources of knowledge may be included within these four and so need not be taken as ultimate or independent sources of knowledge According to the Vaiseșikas, there are four kinds of vidyā or true knowledge, namely, perception, inference, memory and intuitive experience (ārsujñāna). They include sabda, upamūnu, arthāpattı, abhāva, saibhara and urtihyu within inference. But there is some difference of opinion as to whether all the four kinds of vidyā or knowledge are
1 TKD, kár 5, Yoga-sutra, 1.7 2 NK., pp 213-31.
