YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI | CHAPTER 1 - SAMADHI PADA | VERSE 49 | COMMENTARY
Shrut-anuman-pragyabhyam-anya-vishya vishesh-arthtvat
श्रुतानुमानप्रज्ञाभ्यामन्यविषया विशेषार्थत्वात्॥१.४९॥
śrutānumānaprajñābhyāmanyaviṣayā viśeṣārthatvāt ||1.49||
The knowledge thus obtained is higher than that obtained from inference or hearing.
In Indian Philosophy, there are two types of knowledge – Shruti and Smriti.
Smriti is that which has been memories; it is that which has been obtained through the senses – by reading in a book, or hearing from a teacher, or from the subtler senses. And it has been rationalized by the intellect.
Shruti is knowledge that has been revealed. It is revealed in the state of Samadhi when the awareness has connected to the cosmic consciousness, to the absolute truth. Vedas, Upanishads, and many other Shastras are Shruti Knowledge – they were revealed in the deepest states of Samadhi. Hence they are not said to be authored, but only revealed.
The truth that is brought into awareness from this Samadhi is flawless; there is no mistake about it. It is different from that which has been learnt from a teacher, or a book,
or which has been obtained through inference. The object of the knowledge is of higher order, of which knowledge can only be obtained in Samadhi. This knowledge is complete.