Hare Krsna,
It is good to review the basics sometimes – Avaroha-pantha and Aroha-pantha.
Modern science has very limited understanding of the first two of the five subjects of Bhagavad-Gita (Isvara and Jiva) and even more limited and imperfect understanding of the last three subjects (Prakrti, Kala and Karma). This is because the very process of acquiring knowledge that is follows is defective. It is called the ascending or inductive process (aroha-pantha). The inductive or ascending process means to not accept any authority and to try to find our truth by one’s own endeavor and speculation. A popular example is if someone wants to find out who his father is, and if he tries to do it by research and experimentation, by surveying the male population, that is inductive process. Another example is when told that ‘Man is mortal’, if someone wants to research and verify this statement, that is again, the inductive process.
As opposed to the inductive or ascending process is the deductive or descending process (avaroha-pantha). This means to accept a bonafide authority and learn the truth by inquiring from that authority. To go back to the earlier example of who one’s father is, the simple way is to ask one’s mother. The power of her authority in terms of reliability of information is greater than all sources of evidence. This is the deductive process. Similarly when told that ‘man is mortal’, we accept it. We do not experiment unnecessarily. The inductive process is always fraught with uncertainty and inaccuracy. Scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita are the perfect authority from which we can acquire perfect knowledge, because they are the word of God. This is the simple and straightforward method to obtain true knowledge.
The Vedas say that there are basically three kinds of ‘proof’. The Sanskrit word for ‘proof’ or ‘evidence’ is ‘pramana’. The three kinds of Pramana are: pratyaksa Pramana (knowledge obtained by direct perception through our senses), anumana Pramana (knowledge arrived by making hypothesis or inference), and sabda Pramana (knowledge or evidence obtained by hearing from a bonafide authority). Among these three kinds of evidence or sources of knowledge, “Sadba Pramana” is the best because it is authorized, reliable, free from defects and capable of revealing the Absolute Truth.
“Therefore one must accept the paramparā system. And the best paramparā is that which extends from Kṛṣṇa (evaṁ paramparā-prāptam). What Kṛṣṇa says, we should accept (imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ). This is called the avaroha-panthā.”
“Brahmā, however, adopted the āroha-panthā. He wanted to understand Kṛṣṇa’s mystic power by his own limited, conceivable power, and therefore he himself was mystified. Everyone wants to take pleasure in his own knowledge, thinking, “I know something.” But in the presence of Kṛṣṇa this conception cannot stand, for one cannot bring Kṛṣṇa within the limitations of prakṛti. One must submit. There is no alternative. Na tāṁs tarkeṇa yojayet. This submission marks the difference between Kṛṣṇa-ites and Māyāvādīs.” (SB 10.13.57 Purport)
Another important point from Srila Prabhupada’s purport is about the pitfalls of arguing. He says that if one argues, for him the knowledge is lost. Recently I was studying Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya lila, Chapter 8 – Talks Between Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Rāmānanda Rāya. At the end of this beautiful (but highly esoteric) chapter, the author Krsnadas Kaviraj Goswami writes in Phala-sruti:
“The author requests every reader to hear these talks with faith and without argument. By studying them in this way, one will be able to understand the confidential truth of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This part of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s pastimes is most confidential. One can derive benefit quickly only by faith; otherwise, by arguing one will always remain far away.” (CC Madhya 8.308-309)
Here also it is recommended that we accept transcendental knowledge without argument. We can make inquiries and express our doubts sincerely and with faith. But unnecessary arguments, instead of revealing, hide the true knowledge.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 