Yoga Sutra 1.7: The 3 Pillars of Knowing

"Are your thoughts based on facts or feelings? Before you believe your own mind, test it against the three pillars of Right Knowledge."

प्रत्यक्षानुमानागमाः प्रमाणानि ॥ १.७ ॥

Transliteration: pratyakṣānumānāgamāḥ pramāṇāni

Translation: "The sources of right knowledge (Pramana) are direct perception, inference, and authoritative testimony."

What is Pramana?

In Sutra 1.6, we learned that every thought fits into one of five categories. Today, we open the first one: Pramana, which translates to "Right Knowledge" or "Standard of Truth."

In this Sutra, Patanjali asks a simple but dangerous question: How do you actually know what is true?

Look at the image above. Master Khan sits in deep meditation by the water, surrounded by three floating spheres. Patanjali states that a thought is only allowed to be called "Right Knowledge" if it is proven by one of these three pillars:

1. Pratyaksha (Direct Perception): You see, hear, or feel it directly with your own physical senses.

2. Anumana (Inference): You use logic and deduction. You do not see the fire, but you see the smoke, so you infer a fire exists.

3. Agama (Trusted Testimony): You trust a reliable, authoritative source, like a true Master, a confirmed text, or a direct witness.

The Question: Are You Confusing Feelings with Facts?

Most of our daily suffering comes from believing things that have zero actual proof. We mistake our emotional reactions for hard facts.

Ask yourself this question today:

"Think about a strong thought you had today. Did you actually see the proof, or did you just feel it was true?"

The Dialogue: The Book of Thoughts

Student: "Master, I felt a rush of anxiety about my practice today, but yesterday I felt overwhelming joy. Which feeling is the truth?"

Master Khan: "Neither. A feeling is not a fact. Both the joy and the anxiety are just fluctuations—vrittis. Look at the three floating spheres. Did a teacher tell you that you are failing or succeeding? (Agama)"

Student: "No."

Master Khan: "Did you directly observe a measurable change in your physical capability? (Pratyaksha)"

Student: "No. It was just a feeling in my mind."

Master Khan: "Then where is your proof? You must start The Book of Thoughts. It is a journal. During the day, you must write down your thoughts. Not just the sadness or the panic, but the happy thoughts and the neutral thoughts, too."

Student: "Why do I need to map the happy and neutral thoughts?"

Master Khan: "Because every single thought you have belongs to a vritti. Some of these fluctuations lead to painful states (Klishta), and some lead to non-painful states (Aklishta). Even your Pranayama can be painful if driven by ego, or peaceful if observed naturally. If you do not map your entire thought process now, you will not be able to transform it as we move further into the Yoga Sutras."

Your Practice: Map the Vrittis

Start your journal today. When a thought arises—whether happy, sad, or neutral—write it down and put it on trial. Ask your mind: Which category does this belong to? Does it lead to pain or peace? Where is my proof? Mapping your mind is the first step to mastering it.

• Learn more Yoga philosophy at Yogveda Yoga Workshops in Bern

• [Yogveda Asana Lesson]: Build the physical presence to distinguish between what is real in the body and what is just a feeling.

• [Yogveda Yoga Teacher Training in Bern]: Deepen your understanding of Patanjali's philosophy of mind and truth.