Pramaniki, Prāmāṇikī: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Pramaniki means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Pramaniki in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Prāmāṇikī (प्रामाणिकी) refers to “authoritative Vedic texts”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.5.5 (“The Tripuras are fascinated).—Accordingly, as Arihan said to the Lord of the Three Cities: “[...] Supporters and exponents of the Vedas accept this as an authoritative Vedic text (prāmāṇikī) that no living being shall be injured. Violence is not justifiable. The Vedic text encouraging slaughter of animals cannot be held authoritative by the learned. To say that violence is allowed in Agniṣṭoma is an erroneous view of the wicked. It is surprising that heaven is sought by cutting off trees, slaughtering animals, making a muddy mess with blood and by burning gingelly seeds and ghee”.

Purana book cover
context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Discover the meaning of pramaniki in the context of Purana from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Pramaniki in Hinduism glossary
Source: Hindupedia: Hinduism

Prāmāṇikī (प्रामाणिकी) refers to “valid and natural (infinite regress)”.—Anavasthā literally means ‘instability,’ ‘non-finality’. This is a technical term specially used in logic. When the cause and effect series becomes infinite and does not serve as a proof, it is called anavasthā (infinite regress) and hence rejected. This anavasthā is sometimes divided into two varieties: Prāmāṇikī (valid) and Aprāmāṇikī (invalid)—For instance, in the series of bīja (seed) and vṛkṣa (tree) the infinite regress is valid and natural. Hence it is prāmāṇikī. On the other hand, while trying to prove the existence of a cause for this world, if that cause (called Brahman) is accepted to have been caused by something else, it leads to anavasthā, infinite regress, and hence has no definite conclusion. This anavasthā is aprāmāṇikī or invalid. To avoid this, Vedānta accepts Brahman as the uncaused cause.

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