Modes of Perception (Nirvikalpaka and Savikalpaka): An Analysis from the Perspective of Nyāya

ABSTRACT

Perception leads to the most significant concept in Indian Epistemology. The controversy related to this concept is never-ended. It is not only the primary source of human knowledge but also the base of all other means of knowledge. All the Indian Schools present their different views concerning the notion of perception. Indian philosophy basically admits two modes of perception based onthe character of the perceptual experience of the content i.e. nirvikalpaka or indeterminate and savikalpaka or determinate. In nirvikalpakaperception, the object doesn’t possess any determinate character or prakāra. This stage of perception is unpredictable, non-relational or uncharacterized. When the non-relationally apprehended elements are differentiated and related in the form of a judgement then this stage of perception is called savikalpaka perception; which is relational, predictable and characterized.

FULL TEXT