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 ||
ଭୀଷ୍ମ କହିଲେ—ଅନୁମାନ ଓ ଆଗମ—ଏ ଦୁଇ ପ୍ରମାଣର ମୂଳ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ହିଁ। ଯଦି ଆଗମବଚନ କିମ୍ବା ଅନୁମାନ ପ୍ରତ୍ୟକ୍ଷ ଅନୁଭବର ବିରୋଧୀ ହୁଏ, ତେବେ ସେ କିଛି ନୁହେଁ; ତାହାର ପ୍ରାମାଣ୍ୟ ଗ୍ରହଣୀୟ ନୁହେଁ।
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.