Śrī–Indra–Bali Saṃvāda: The Departure and Fourfold Placement of Lakṣmī
प्रत्यक्ष होतयोमूलं कृतान्तौतिहयोरपि । प्रत्यक्षेणागमो भिन्न: कृतान्तो वा न किउड्चन
pratyakṣaṃ hetumūlaṃ kṛtāntautihayor api | pratyakṣeṇāgamo bhinnaḥ kṛtānto vā na kiñcana ||
भीष्म म्हणाले—अनुमान आणि आगम—या दोन्हींचे मूळ प्रत्यक्षच आहे. आगमवचन किंवा अनुमान जर प्रत्यक्ष अनुभवाच्या विरुद्ध गेले, तर ते काहीच नाही; त्याची प्रामाणिकता मान्य करता येत नाही.
भीष्म उवाच
Bhīṣma teaches a hierarchy of knowledge-sources: direct perception is foundational, and inference or scriptural testimony must not contradict lived, direct experience; if they do, their authority is to be rejected.
In the Śānti Parva’s instruction on dharma and right understanding, Bhīṣma lays down an epistemic rule for ethical discernment: reasoning and tradition are valuable, but they must be anchored in and consistent with direct perception.