2016, Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part B

author(s)
Sangita Chakravarty

abstract
The present paper makes a measly attempt to examine / survey the different interpretations offered by the Sāṁkhya-Yoga philosophers on the subject of anumāna (inference). As regards the Sāṁkhya theory of knowledge, the contributions of Gauḍapāda and Vācaspati Miśra are initially examined, thereby making explicit references to their scholarly illustrations. The paper further examines the contributions of the Sāṁkhyakārikā and the Sāṁkhya-Sūtra, two informative documents of the Sāṁkhya system, to bring out the concept of vyāpti. Thus, referring to the deliberations of the Sāṁkhya-Yoga logicians like Māṭhara, Gauḍapāda, Vācaspati Miśra, Vārṣagaṇya, Vyāsa, and Kapila on the nature and function of vyāpti, a contention is arrived at that no knowledge can be inferred without the knowledge of vyāpti. Finally, the study makes an investigation into the kinds of anumāna as mentioned by the Sāṁkhya-Yoga philosophers.