Studies in the History of Sanskrit Poetics v2.c84.50

v2.c84.50

Inference is the knowledge of the *lingin* by means of the *linga*, qualified by its existence in the subject (*pakṣa-sattva*), its existence in similar instances (*sapakṣa-sattva*) and its exclusion from opposite instances (*vipakṣa-vyāvartatva*). For example, we conclude in the subject, e. g., a smoky hill, the existence of the *lingin* fire by the *linga* smoke, which we see existing in it, as well as in similar instances (such as in the culinary hearth, where there is no doubt as to the existence of fire), and which we see absent from opposite instances (e. g., such places where the absence of fire is certain). But this syllogistic method is not strictly applicable to establishing the suggested sense from the expressed; for logical inference, Viśvanātha points out, has nothing to do with works of imagination. Take, for instance, the following verse: