Nyayavatara

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Sanskrit Book Depot P Ltd

Page 18

(xviii)
In an inference for the sake of others the minor term (paksa) must be explicitly set forth, otherwise the reasoning might be misunderstood by the opponent, e.g. This hill has fire because it has smoke.
This instance, if the minor term is omitted, will assume the following form :
Having fire, Because having smoke. Here the opponent might not at once recollect any instance in which fire and smoke exist in union, and might mistake a lake for such an instance. In such a case the whole reasoning will be misunderstood.
If that of which the major term or predicate is affirmed, is opposed by evidence, public opinion, one's own statement, etc., we have that which is known as the fallacy of the minor term (paksābhāsa) of which there are many varieties.
5. Fallacies of the minor term The semblance or fallacy of the minor term (pakşābhāsa) arises when one attributes to it as a proved fact that which is yet to be proved, or which is incapable of being proved, or when it is opposed to perception and inference, or inconsistent with public opinion or incongruous with one's own statement, thus :
(1) "The jar is corporeal (paudgalika)"-this is a conclusion which is yet to be proved to the opponent.
(2) "Every thing is momentary”- this is a Saugata conclusion which, according to the Jainas, is incapable of being proved.
(3) “The general particular (sāmānya višeşa) things are without parts, are distinct from each other and are like themselves alone"this is opposed to perception.
(4) “There is no omniscient being"--this is, according to the Jainas, opposed to inference.
(5) "The sister is to be taken as wife”- this is inconsistent with public opinion.
(6) "All things are non-existent"- this is incongruous with one's own statement.
6. Inseparable connection Inseparable connection or invariable concomitance (vyāpti) is the constant accompaniment of the middle term by the major term. In the inference : "this hill is full of fire, because it is full