Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c40.s5.4

v2.c40.s5.4

Pāṇini’s outstanding deliberation on words denoting concepts, shines brilliantly in several instances, e.g., pramāṇa, upajñā and upakrama. Pramāṇa originally meant (and still means) a standard or scale for measurement and therefore an ‘authority’ (Pāṇ., 3.4.51; 4.1.24; 5.2.37; 6.2.4 & 12). Gradually the idea of ‘proof’ originated from the notion of authenticating an object or an idea through its reference to a previously accepted yardstick or an axiom (pramā means basis or foundation). Thus *pramāṇa* came to mean a scientific or logical proof.