So there are three kinds of processes to receive knowledge: pratyaksa, aitihya and sabda. Pratyaksa means by direct perception, experimental knowledge. And aitihya, or anumana. Anumana, hypothesis, "It may be like this," "Perhaps like this." Just like modern scientists say, "Perhaps it is like this." That is called anumana, hypothesis. And another process is sabda-pramana. Sruti-pramana. Sabda means sound vibration, and sruti means aural reception. So out of three processes, the sabda-pramana, or receiving vibration, sound vibration from authorities by aural reception, that is considered to be the perfect.
By H.D.G. Srila Prabhupada
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