Prābhākara Pramāṇa Theory
The question asks which 'pramāṇa' (means of valid knowledge) is rejected by the Prābhākara school of Mīmāmsā philosophy. Understanding the specific epistemological views of different Indian philosophical schools is key.
Prābhākara School's Accepted Pramāṇas
The Prābhākara Mīmāmsakas primarily accept five means of valid knowledge:
- Pratyakṣa (Perception)
- Anumāna (Inference)
- Upamāna (Comparison/Analogy)
- Śabda (Testimony/Verbal Authority)
- Arthāpatti (Postulation/Presumption)
Anupalabdhi Status in Prābhākara School
Anupalabdhi (Non-apprehension or absence of cognition) is the 'pramāṇa' in question. The Prābhākara school does not consider Anupalabdhi as a distinct, independent 'pramāṇa'.
Instead, they explain the knowledge of absence in two ways:
- When the object is knowable and capable of being perceived, its non-apprehension is understood through Pratyakṣa (as a specific kind of negative perception).
- Alternatively, it is sometimes subsumed under Arthāpatti.
Conclusion on Rejected Pramāṇa
Therefore, among the given options, Anupalabdhi (Non-apprehension) is NOT considered a separate 'pramāṇa' by the Prābhākara Mīmāmsaka.
The correct option is the one stating Anupalabdhi.
Important Questions from Basic Vocabulary
Choose the most appropriate alternative from the options given below to complete the following sentence:
The administrators went on to implement yet another unreasonable measure, arguing that the measures were already _______ and one more would hardly make a difference.- If '→' denotes increasing order of intensity, then the meaning of the words [sick → infirm → moribund] is analogous to [silly → → daft]. Which one of the given options is appropriate to fill the blank?
Choose the appropriate word/phrase, out of the four options given below, to complete the following sentence:
Frogs _______________- Inhaling the smoke from a burning _________ could _________ you quickly.
- ________ with someone else's email account is now a very serious offence.
