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The Concept of Nirvikalpatā in Buddist Logic and the Indian Tradition
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valid cognition, Where as accoding to Kumārila determinate perception is also a valid perception. Dharmakīrti's view
Dharmakirti (620-690 CE), a profound commentator of Dignāga, is of view that sometimes a direct perception (nirvikalpaka) might be illusive due to disease or deformation in the sense organs, hence a perception must be devoid both of construction and of illusion. He goes a step further and defines kalpanā as“abhilāpasamsargayogyā- pratibhāsā pratīțiḥ kalpanā (Nyāyabindu 1.5)
Stcherbatsky explains this aphorism of Nyāyabindu as “construction (or judgment) implies a distinct cognition (Pratīti) of a mental reflex (pratibhāsa) which is capable of coalescing with a verbal designation.” (Buddhist Logic, vol II, p.19)
Dharmottara (700CE), a commentator of Dharmakīrti explains the statement : -
“abhilapyate aneneti abhilāpaḥ vācakaḥ śabdaḥ, abhilāpena samsargaḥ ekasmin jñāne abhidheyākārasy ābhidhānānākāreņa saha grāhayākāratayā milanam. tato yadaikasmin jñāne abhidheyābhidhānākārau sannivistau bhavatas tadā samssste abhidhanābhidheye bhavataḥ
Stcherbatsky translates explanation of Dharmottara in this way.
Tatra Kalpanāpodhamabhrantam. pratyakşam - Nyāyabindu, 1.4 ; (2) Avikalpakam ekam ca pratyaksābham. - Pramānavārtika, 2.288
