atīndriyāṇāṃ – beyond the senses
anumāna – inference
āpta – credible
āgamā – testimony
siddha – accomplished one
Through inference and valid testimony.
- There are things that are beyond the senses and therefore beyond direct perception.
- They can only be known through inference.
- Because they are beyond the senses (no one has and no one ever will experience them directly) they can only be inferred through familiarity. For example: the experience of color infers sight.
- Then there are things that are even beyond inference.
- How can I know something that is beyond inference?
- Things which are beyond inference come to me either through valid testimony or revelation.
- Revelation occurs to “realized” people who have seen through the cause and effect of nature to the pure consciousness of the Knower.
- Since I am not such a person, I turn to accomplished authoritative teachers (and the teachings they carry).
- An authoritative teacher can share with me knowledge that has not yet been revealed to me.
- Therefore, the presence of a teacher expands my own cognition.
