Indian Philosophy v2.c25.s2.9

v2.c25.s2.9

Perception (pratyakṣa) is direct apprehension (sākṣāt pratītiḥ). It proceeds directly from sense-contact. In perception we have the contact of the object and the sense-organ, of the distinctive qualities of the object with the sense-organ, manas and the sense-organ, and the self and manas. Kumārila explains contact of the sense with the object as mere relevancy or the capacity to reveal the object, which we infer from its effect.¹ Perception relates to objects that exist, i.e. are perceptible by the senses. It cannot apprehend supersensuous objects. According to Prabhākara, objects apprehended may be substances, classes or qualities.