“The Determination of Perception” (Pratyaks.apariccheda): text and commentary, part 2

In the course of the above discussion it was asserted by the opponent (verses 87-89) that inference, etc., cannot depend on perception, because the cognitions upon which inference, etc., depend involve the conceptualization of their objects and the sense faculties are incapable of yielding a determinate, conceptual awareness of their objects. This understanding of perception is that presented by Din˙na¯ga in his famous definition of perception as “an awareness devoid of conceptual construction.”1 Kuma¯rila now begins an extensive refutation of this position, which will occupy the rest of the Pratyaks.apariccheda.