Anyathākhyāti: A Critique by Appaya Dīkṣita in the Parimala

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of illusory perception, as approached by the Nyā ya and Advaita Vedā nta schools of philosophy, is discussed from the standpoint of the Parimala. This seminal work belonging to the Bhāmatī tradition of Advaita Vedā nta was composed in the sixteenth century by the polymath Appaya Dīks : ita. In the context of discussing various theories of illusion, Dīks : ita dwells upon the Nyā ya theory of anyathākhyāti, and its connection with jñānalaks : an : apratyāsatti as a causal factor for perception, and closely examines if such an extraordinary (alaukika) perception is tenable to explain illusory perception. He then proceeds to point out the deficiencies of this model and thereby brings to the fore the anirvacanīyakhyāti of Advaitins as the only theory which stands scrutiny.

The Impact of Navya-Nyāya on Mādhva Vedānta: Vyāsatīrtha and the Problem of Empty Terms

“… Matilal (1986, p. 201).24 SeeSchmücker (2001) for an extensive analysis of the doctrine of indeterminacy in the works of the Advaitin philosopher Vimuktātman. The Advaitins' theory is also discussed in the context of the Nyāya anyathākhyāti theory of illusion byDuquette and Ramasubrahmanian (2009).25 For this interpretation of Jayatīrtha's theory, seeSharma (1962, p. 212).…”