Question

Given below are two statements :

‘The water of the pond is muddy. It must have rained last night.'

What kind of Anumana (inference) has been used in the above statements.

Choose the correct option from the following :

(A) Sesavat anumana

(B) Comparison

(C) Purvovat anumana

(D) Both (A) and (B)

Choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

1. (A) only
2. (B) only
3. (C) only
4. (D) only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : (A) only

The correct solution is "Sesavat Anumana"

Anumana in Indian philosophies is the second Pramana or the five means of knowledge. Inference occupies a central place in the Hindu school of logic.

The classification of inference:

• Purvavat Inference: when we infer an unprecedented effect from a perceived cause we have purvavat inference. Where the effect is inferred from the cause. e.g. we see the dark clouds in the sky in the morning and infer future rain from the dark clouds.
• Sesavat Inference: When we perceive unperceived cause from a perceived effect we have "sesavat inference". E.g. when we infer previous rain from the swift muddy current of the river.
• Samanyatodta inference: When an inference is based not on causation but on the uniformity of co-existence, it is called samanyatodta, e.g. when we infer cloven hoofs of an animal by its horns.

Therefore the answer to the above question is "sesavat anumana" because we infer previous rain from the muddy water of the pond. Hence the correct option is A.