Written by — Vaishnavi Shejwalkar
Edited by — Vedang Joshi and Prachi Pol
Wish you all a very Happy Makarsankrati, Pongal, Lohri, Magh Bihu, Paush Sankranti and Uttarayan. That has to be a big list of festivals celebrated in a day! Different names, and different festivals from different corners of the country yet they celebrate the same auspicious occasion, the season of winter and the harvest. India is a geographically and culturally diverse country with a diverse range of solar and lunar calendars. Festivals marked in these calendars might not fall on the same dates but have similar contexts. But this very day remains constant in almost all cultures. What can be the logic? But wait. Why am I overthinking this, might be just a coincidence. But what in the world is ever just a coincidence?
Many times we ignore minute details, do not pay attention to the existence of certain things, or phenomena, and discard things as if they are either too complicated or too easy. (illogical, for that matter!) But is ignorance always bliss? Going back to the festival, this date, 14th January, marks the start of the transition from winter to summer, and also the beginning of a new harvest season. Additionally, Uttarayan, as it is called, means the shift in the axis of the Earth from East to West via — from extreme South towards North, which is why it has remained constant and important in various cultures.
Well, not so illogical now, isn’t it? As Indians, we have one of the richest traditions of Logic. What is Logic you may ask? Why are we discussing Logic today, of all days? Because today (14th January), we are not only celebrating Makar-Sankranti but World Logic Day as well. UNESCO proclaimed 14 January as World logic Day in their 40th general conference. The purpose of World Logic Day is to explain the importance of logic, and spread awareness about the same.
Ø What is logic? Why is it important?
The process of applying analytical techniques to determine the reason behind every action is known as logic. There is a purpose behind every event in this world. Every action is a reaction to the one before it. Logic is the process of looking for the reason behind every event. Logician Aristotle says “Logic is the instrument by which we come to know anything,”. When it comes to making decisions and having effective communication, it is the most crucial element. Logic gives credibility to our words or arguments. We can present our ideas with confidence and clarity, thanks to logic! This is sufficient for grasping the general concept of logic. Moving forward, let us dive deeper and explore Indian Logic.
Have you ever heard about TARKSHASTRA? In Sanskrit, the word TARKA means logic and SHASTRA means technical knowledge of a particular subject (roughly translates to science). The word Shastra shows authority in Indian literature. It is regarded as a reliable source of information about Indian traditions. The book TARKASANGRAHA is a mandatory, authentic, and popular source. It can also be seen as a beginner’s guide to understanding Indian Logic.
Ø The role of TARKASANGRAHA in Indian Logic:
Tarkasamgraha is a primary treatise on Annambhatta’s Tarkashastra which is a Prakarana Grantha. A Prakarana Granth is a book that explains the meaning and theories of any Shastra. There are six schools of Indian philosophy, viz. Samkhya, Yoga, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Poorva Mimamsa, and Uttar Mimamsa (Vedanta). These are known as Darshanas. Darshana is a Samskrit word that means to see. These six Asthik Darshanas represent six different perspectives about the world. Tarkasamgraha is a treatise based on the elements discussed in Nyaya and Vaisheshika Darshanas.Through Tarkasangraha Annambhatta tried to explain the meaning and forms of various elements in this world. How did the world come into existence? How are things happening in the world? These topics have always piqued the interest of curious minds. In Tarkasangraha, he has tried to answer these questions by motivating us to think critically/logically about everything in this world. He demonstrated the process of acquiring knowledge through various methods to verify the authenticity of the information.
In the earlier days, people used to study the Shastras from a young age. They were dedicated to their studies and believed in extensive research. As a result of their wealth of knowledge, their opinions were precise and clear. Debates were an essential part of the growth and development of one’s knowledge. A debate is a churning of multiple thoughts and perspectives of different schools of thought. So to make sure that these debates are healthy, on track, and factual, it was necessary that the scholars participating believe in a pragmatic (practical) approach. Although there are no winners or losers in a debate, it was necessary that the arguments proposed in the debate should be logically accurate. Therefore, all the logical approaches were treated as equally important and the most precise argument was wholeheartedly accepted by all the participants.
The Indian concept of justice or Nyaya played a crucial role in these debates and the logic applied to them. Nyaya-sutra of Akshapada Gautama is an ancient treatise for Naiyyayikas or the followers of the Nyaya school of thought. Nyaya’s school of thought extensively discusses the cause and relationship of everything. Naiyyayikas were philosophical as well as religious. Their main motive was the end of ignorance which causes sorrow in life. They deal with correct thinking and valid conclusions.
Another school of thought dealing on similar grounds was Vaisheshikas. Maharishi Kanad is regarded as the founder of the Vaisheshika school of thought. Vaisheshikas were called so because they believed in a special element called Vishesha. They believe that Vishesha is the smallest part of the world and that all physical elements are combinations of atoms (Kana). Both Visheshas’ and Nyaya’s philosophies were developed independently but they share several characteristics. As a result, they are generally studied together. Padarthas (matter) is a topic that Vaisheshikas discuss. The foundation of Vaisheshikas’ school of thought is the notion that everything in the physical universe may be broken down into a finite number of atoms.
The main difference between both philosophies is that Vaisheshikas believe in two sources of knowledge: perception, and inference. Whereas, Naiyyayikas believe in four sources: perception, inference, verbal testimony, and comparison. Both of them believed that ignorance is the root cause of pain, and the realization of the true self through knowledge should be the real mission of every individual. They focused on the liberation of individuals. However, these two philosophies are equally important in the Indian logic system.
Ø The main principles of Indian Logic:
Indian logic is based on 6 Pramanas. Pramana means proof. Out of the 6 proofs, the following four Pramanas are acknowledged by Naiyyayikas and Vaisheshikas:
1) Perception (Pratyaksha): When we experience something through our sensory organs. For example, we can see a flower through our eyes, feel it on our skin and smell it through our noses. Our brain builds an image of what a flower is through all this acquired data. This is Pratyaksha Pramana, loosely translated as physical proof.
2) Inference (Anumana): When we conclude a theory with first-hand information but with no knowledge of the end result. For example, when we look at a rosebud we predict it will grow into a rose flower. But we have not actually witnessed that bud bloom yet.
3) Comparison (Upamana): Study of similarities between theory and practicality. For example, when a person ‘x’ describes a rose flower to a person ‘y’ through its characteristics, as a red-colored flower with thorns on the stem and dark green leaves and the person ‘y’ identifies it solely through its description. This is called comparison or Upamana.
4) Testimony (Shabda): Shabda typically means a ‘word’. For example, when I mentioned a rose, your brain visualized the flower with a specific arrangement of petals and a certain arrangement of thorns and its leaves. This does not necessarily mean I had shown you the rose, but your brain recalls its value. That is “Shabda”. Here the word Shabda directly connects with the four Vedas. Vedas have the authority of knowledge according to Indian philosophy. Therefore, every word from Veda is valid. Shabda refers to obtaining knowledge from written or spoken words.
Indian logic is primarily linked with the concepts of AATMAN and BRAHMAN. Meditation is a unique factor in Indian logic. Spirituality is its backbone. In our day-to-day life, we often say that every Karma is rewarded accordingly. According to this logic, every activity ends with a result. As per modern science, every action has a reaction. Indian logic reiterates the same through its theories and arguments. However, Indian Logic is not something that can be explained in a single blog article. It is a lengthy and tedious research process of consistent reading and analyzing, through which one can make an honest effort to understand Indian logic. This article was a small attempt to introduce you to this vast theory. Let me know in the comment section if you are willing to know more about Indian logic. I hope to see you soon!
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