prasthana trai | प्रस्थान त्रै
A material mind has material experiences and has partial knowledge of material rules. With such a mind divine rules cannot be learned or understood.
Vedas are the final authority in Sanatana dharma. Since, they are God-like they cannot be understood by anyone.
Still, to start sadhana one needs to acquire tattvajnana. For knowing spiritual facts one has to lean into shabda pramana. This is the only way.
To ensure correct interpretation of Vedas, they are cross-referenced with two more scriptures. This form of evidencing to derive the right understanding of the spiritual facts is called prasthana trai (Devanagari: प्रस्थान त्रै ISO15919: prasthāna trai).
Evidence is cited from following three sources to ensure that the understanding of scriptures are being understood correctly.
- shruti prasthana - consisting of the Upanishads,
- smriti prasthana - consisting of the Gita,
- nyaya prasthana - Vedanta.
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