Arthapatti, often translated as “presumption” or “postulation,” occupies a pivotal role in the Mimamsa Darshana of Hindu philosophy. It is a mode of inference whereby an unperceived fact is posited as the necessary explanation for an observed anomaly. For instance, if a person is found to be gaining weight despite claims of fasting or avoiding food during the day, it becomes reasonable to infer that there must be some hidden or unobserved reason—such as secret nocturnal eating. This mode of reasoning not only demonstrates the intellectual vigor of Mimamsa but also underscores an essential epistemological principle: knowledge can sometimes be derived from what is not immediately evident through mere perception or direct evidence. The Philosophical Foundation of Arthapatti In the Mimamsa Darshana, the process of arthapatti is seen as indispensable to understanding and interpreting the Vedas—the ancient scriptures that form the backbone of Hindu thought. Mimamsa scholars assert that the...