Saturday, January 17, 2015

LOGICAL INFERENCE---PRAMANAS

Tharka Sasthra or logic is one of the VEDANGAS---. important part of  the Vedas. It is a system in which you establish the truth by means of argument based on the Vedas, the Upanishads, Brahma sutras and the Bhagavadgita! No argument shall be valid or accepted if it does not conform to the views expressed in any one of them! There are arguments that favor the argument  and others that object to the view expressed in the argument! There are certain  PRAMANAS--Proofs or inferences that we can draw depending on the situation and environment in which things are placed
      A few important Pramanas-- methods of inference based on logic are enumerated by our ancient texts! The first method is called " PRATHYAKSHA PRAMANA." Here you draw your inference directly, You see the object personally, feel it, enjoy it and are sure of its presence. In some cases, you see the object shown by some other person.This is also through direct perception, and feeling the presence of the object.
         The second method is to infer an object in associatioon with some other object or thing. You see a house from the roof of which smoke is coming out. Smoke cannot be produced without fire. But you do not see the fire in the house. So you infer that there should be fire inside the house to produce smoke. You do not see the fire directly but you are sure of it because of the smoke it has released. This type of infeence is called " ANUMANA PRAMANA!
         The third  method is called  " UPAMANA PRAMANA".  Here inference is through comparison of one object to another object with similar qualities and characteristics.When I say your face is as beautiful as the Moon, you associate the qualities of the Moon, its beauty, charm and coolness with your face. In the same way when some one says you are brave as a lion, all qualities of the lion are applied to you
         The fourth method of inference is called  "SABDA PRAMANA".  When the above three methods fail and tou cannot draw inference you take recourse to the words of others who have seen some place or object and have some experience .You have not seen London or some other city. yor friend has seen  and lived in the city for sometime, You hear his description of the city and feel satisfied that you have seen it. We have not seen God and do not know His attributes. We believe in the words of the famous sages and seers who have realized God within themselves!
          The fifth method of inference is through observing the outward appearance of an individual or object. You know that the person  fasts always in the morning.  But he does not look slim for having fasted. on the other hand he is fat.Therefore you infer that he must be eating heavily during the nights! This is called  " ARDHAPATTHI PRAMANA"
           The last method is to infer that an object is not in a place. This is called  "ANUPALABDHI PRAMANA."
         
 

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