International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Epistemic Foundation of Indian Knowledge System: A Study in Primary Narratives and Secondary Exegesis

This study examines the epistemic foundations of the Indian knowledge system through a comprehensive analysis of primary narratives and secondary exegetical traditions. Employing a mixed-methods approach combining textual analysis, hermeneutical interpretation, and quantitative content analysis, this research investigates the structural and conceptual frameworks that underpin Indian epistemology. The study analyzes 127 primary Sanskrit texts and 89 secondary commentaries spanning from 1500 BCE to 1500 CE. Results indicate that Indian epistemology is characterized by six fundamental pramāṇas (means of knowledge): pratyakṣa (perception), anumāna (inference), upamāna (analogy), śabda (verbal testimony), arthāpatti (postulation), and anupalabdhi (non-cognition). Statistical analysis reveals significant variations in epistemological emphasis across different philosophical schools, with Vedānta emphasizing śabda pramāṇa (42.3%), while Sāṅkhya prioritizes pratyakṣa (38.7%). The study contributes to understanding the systematic nature of Indian knowledge production and its relevance to contemporary epistemological discourse. Keywords: Indian epistemology, pramāṇa theory, primary narratives, secondary exegesis, knowledge systems