Tatpurvakam in Tatpurvakam Trividham Anumānam (NS 1.1.5) in Bhāṣarvajña’s View
Summary
In the Nyāya tradition, inference (anumāna) is classified in various ways. This technical article discusses the term ‘tatpurvakam’ in the context of Bhasarvajña’s classification of three kinds of inference (trividham anumānam) in the Nyāya Sūtra 1.1.5. The author explains that ‘tatpurvakam’ refers to an inference that relies on prior perception of a general rule, such as seeing smoke and remembering that smoke is invariably associated with fire. The article analyses Bhasarvajña’s commentary, comparing his interpretation with those of later logicians. It clarifies the distinctions between inference for oneself and inference for another, and between anvaya (positive concomitance) and vyatireka (negative concomitance). The author argues that understanding tatpurvakam helps elucidate how Nyāya thinkers structure logical reasoning.
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Conclusion
The paper clarifies a technical term in classical logic and situates it within broader discussions of inference. By doing so it enhances our understanding of how early Nyāya philosophers theorised about reasoning processes.