Nyayavatara

Author(s): Satish Chandra Vidyabhushan
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 23

NYAYAVATARA.
15
साध्याभ्युपगमः पक्षः प्रत्यक्षाद्यनिराकृतः । तत्प्रयोगोऽत्र कर्तव्यो हेतार्गोचरदीपकः ॥ २४ ॥
14. Pakşa (the minor term) is that which is asserted to be connected with the (major term or) sâdhya, and is not excluded by perception, etc. ; it is to be used here (in an inference for the sake of others) as exhibiting an abode of the reason (i.e., the middle term, called hetu).
Some philosophers hold that the minor term (pakşa) is not an essential part of an inference. But this view, according to the Jainas, is untonable, it being absolutely necessary to state the minor term (palesa) in an inference.
अन्यथा वाद्यभिप्रेतहेतुगोचरमोहितः । प्रत्यायस्य भवेद्धतुविरुद्धारेकिता यथा ॥ १५॥
15. Otherwise, owing to a misconception as to the abode of the reason (i.e., pakşa or minor term) as intended by the disputant, his reason (hetu or middle terin) may appear to his opponent as absurd.
If any disputant does not explicitly state the minor term (paksa), his reason might be misunderstood by his opponent, e.g. :--
(1) This hill (minor torm) is full of fire (major term);
(2) because it is full of sinoke (middle term). The above inference, if the minor term is omitted, will assume the following form:
(1) Full of fire (major term);
(2) becauso full of smoke (middle term). Here the opponent might not at once recollect any abode or place (minor term, paksu) in which the fire and smoke abide in