Paribhāṣā

Pramēyam

ப்ரமேயம்

Also known as: pramēyam, prameyam, prameya, knowable object

Meaning

The knowable object — all of reality that can be validly known — encompassing Brahman, conscious selves, and matter.

Detailed Explanation

The Totality of the Knowable

Pramēyam designates everything that can be validly known. In Viśiṣṭādvaita, the prameya is not limited to material objects but encompasses the three fundamental categories (tattva-traya): Īśvara (Brahman/God), cit (conscious selves), and acit (matter).

Dependence on Pramāṇa

Knowing the prameya correctly requires the right pramāṇa. For the highest prameya — Brahman as the supreme reality — śabda-pramāṇa (revealed scripture) is ultimately indispensable, since Brahman transcends the range of direct perception and inference alone.

Practical Dimension

In the Sri Vaishnava catechism, knowing what is real (pramēyam) correctly — especially recognizing Brahman as śeṣī and the self as śeṣa — is the foundation for all spiritual practice. The tradition's three-fold summary (pramātā–pramāṇa–pramēyam) orients the student at the very outset of study.

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