Comparative Study of Indian Science

Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: C S Mallinath

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Buddhist logicians admit the elements of the above two limbs but choose to add a third viz., the Dristanta. A Dristanta is an instance which serves to corroborate or remind one self of the fact of the invariable connection between the Proven and the Mark and may be of two kinds, Sadharmya or Homogeneous and Vaidharmya or Heterogeneous. The former is an instance (Kitchen) where the Hetu (Smoke) being present, the Sadhya (Fire) appears without fail while the latter is an instance (Pond) where the Sadhya being absent, the Hetu becomes absent also. According to the logicians of the Buddhist school proposition indicative of such positive and negative examples should find its place in Anumana. The form of reasoning according to the Buddhists is as follows:-All that has Smoke is Firy like a Kitchen and Whatever is not Firy has no Smoke like a Lake; This Hill has Smoke.
The Mimansaka logicians point out that there should be only three limbs in an Anumana. According to them, however, a valid syllogism is either of the two forms. (1) This Hill is Firy (Pratijna); Because it is full of Smoke (Hetu); Whatever is full of Smoke is Firy as for example etc., etc., (Dristanta) (2) Whatever is full of Smoke is Firy as for example etc., etc., (Dristanta); Now this is so i.e., this Hill is full of Smoke (Upanaya); Therefore, this Hill is Firy