Vyapti as concomitance – UGC NET Question

Vyapti denotes the universal and exceptionless relation connecting the reason (hetu) with the probandum (sadhya). It states that wherever the hetu is present, the sadhya is also present, and wherever the sadhya is absent, the hetu is absent. Establishing vyapti through positive and negative instances is what justifies moving from a perceived sign to an unperceived conclusion in anumana. Therefore the relation described in the stem is called vyapti.

Option A:
Option A, paksha, is the subject or locus in which the sadhya is to be established, such as the hill in the classic smoke–fire example. It is not the relation between hetu and sadhya.

Option B:
Option B, hetu, is the reason or middle term that indicates the presence of the sadhya, like smoke indicating fire. While hetu participates in vyapti, it is not the name of the universal relation itself.

Option C:
Option C is correct because vyapti captures the pattern “wherever this, there that” which gives inferential force to anumana. Without vyapti, the step from observed sign to unobserved property would lack rational justification.

Option D:
Option D, drstanta, is the illustrative example that shows the vyapti in a familiar case, such as a kitchen where smoke and fire always go together. It is evidence for vyapti, not the relation itself.