Pramanam – Valid Knowledge

Srivaisnavism accepts three valid sources of knowledge (pramanas) which are:

• Pratyaksa (perception)
• Anumana (inference)
• Sabda (verbal or scriptural testimony)

Of these 3 Sabda is recognised as a special source of knowledge as only scriptural testimony alone can claim the position of authoritative means to knowledge with regard to Brahman, which never falls within the range of pratyaksa or anumana

Valid means of knowledge

The authoritative means are:

• Four Vedas - Established as eternal and impersonal origin, therefore they are devoid of error of instrument (karana) and sublating cognition.
• Prasthana Trayam - The three scriptural sources for Vedanta.
• Upanisads, Brahma Sutras, Bhagavad Gita (apportion from the epic Mahabharata).
• Pancaratragama - Divided into groups of siddhanta, such as agamas, divya, tantra and tantratara, is authoritative since it does not contradict with the Vedas. This is the case of Vaikanasagama, which is traced to Brahma himself, who expounded the sastra to his four disciples, Atri, Marici, Kasyapa and Bhrgyu.
• Divya Prabandham (Dravida vedas) - the collection of Tamils hymns by the Alvars. These revelations are not opposed to, but are consistent with the Sanskrit Vedic revelations and are authoritative.
• Smrti - composed by trustworthy persons and which explains conduct usages, expiation etc, that are not opposed to sruti.
• Itihasas and Puranas - Self establish as possessing the character of being supplementary to the Vedas. The Puranas divided into three groups; satva (goodness), rajasa (passion) and tamasa (ignorance), the contradictory portion found in the Puranas is unauthoritative and the non contradictory portion is authoritative.