Mithyatvanumana Khandanam

Mithyatvanumana Khandanam is the second among a collection three texts of debate known as Khandana Traya (The three refutations). The other texts which constitute the Khandana Traya are Mayavada Khandanam and Upadhi Khandanam.

No invocation?

An interesting observation regarding this text is the absence of a written invocation in the beginning as is usually done by Sri Acharya in all his texts. Did Acharya forget to perform an invocation? No. Acharya, a great mahatma he is, has definitely performed an invocation. But, here he has ommitted to record it in the beginning to teach the disciple that prostration before the deity, mental contemplation and verbal prayer are the formal invocations. Recording it in the text is only for setting an example to the disciples. Acharya wanted to demonstrate this to the disciple. Hence he chose not to record the invocation for this particular text.

Central Theme

The word anumana means Inference. Mithyatvanumana means the inference used to prove the unreality (Mithyatva) of the universe by the Advaitins. Sri Madhwacharya in this brief text, showcases the fallacies in this Inference thereby proving that unreality of the Universe is untenable as it is against our common perception and also is against scriptural injunctions.

Logical Flaws in the Mithyatvanumana

The advaitin has put forth the syllogism Vimatam Mithya Drishyatvat Shukti Rajatavat (The World is Unreal as it is an appearence similar to the appearence of Silver in Conch. This is a classical syllogism to establish the Mithyatva (unreal nature) of the Universe. Sri Acharya reviews all aspects of this syllogism and demonstrates how the Mithyatvanumana is full of logical fallacies. Mithyatva Anumana Khandanam

Reason                                                 Flaw              Related To

Universe is unreal                          Ashrayasiddhi        Pratignya

Universe is Sadasadvilakshana     Siddhasadhanata          ..

If Perception is unreal                        Asiddhi                 Hetu

Anirvachaniya is untenable                Virodha                 Hetu

Atmaan is also perceivable             Anaikantika              Hetu

Inference is unreal                      Anadhyavasaya           Hetu

Contradicted                                     Badha                   Hetu

Universe is true                           Prakaranasama          Hetu

Universe is true                          Satpratipaksha            Hetu

Not Anirvachaniya                     Sadhyavaikalya         Drishtanta

Shuktiraja is not Drushya          Sadhanavaikalya        Drishtanta

Pramana Virodha                           Upadhi                    Hetu

After showing the flaws in the Mithyatvanumana, Sri Acharya gives definition of few technial terms used in Syllogisms viz., Paksha, Sapaksha, Vipaksha, Pratigna.

Conclusion

At the end of the text, Sri Madhwacharya salutes Lord Vishnu as being full of knowledge and bliss, he is full of auspicious qualities devoid of any defects. He is the instrumental cause of the creation, sustenance, destruction, control, knowledge etc, with respect to this universe.

यो दृश्यते सदानन्दनित्यव्यक्तचिदात्मना ।

निर्दोषाखिलकल्ययाणगुणं वन्दे रमापतिम् ।।