Hetubindutīkā by Ārcaṭa Bhaṭṭa – Review
By Balaji Ganorkar
Summary
This review introduces Hetubindutīkā, a commentary by Ācārya Arcaṭa Bhaṭṭa on Dharmakīrti’s Hetubindu, a seminal work on Buddhist logic. The author summarises the main arguments of the Hetubindu, which analyses the structure of inference and the criteria for a valid logical sign (hetu). Arcaṭa Bhaṭṭa’s commentary clarifies definitions, resolves ambiguities and refutes rival interpretations from Jain and Nyāya schools. The review notes that the tīkā elaborates on technical terms such as pakṣa (subject), sapakṣa (similar cases) and vipakṣa (dissimilar cases), providing examples to illustrate correct reasoning. It assesses the commentary’s contribution to the tradition of Buddhist logic by situating it between earlier exegesis and later scholars. The reviewer praises the philological rigor of the edition under review and highlights its importance for students of classical Indian logic.
Conclusion
The review emphasises that commentaries like Arcaṭa Bhaṭṭa’s are indispensable for understanding complex logical treatises. By elucidating terminology and argumentation, the Hetubindutīkā makes Dharmakīrti’s ideas more accessible to scholars and students.