Primarily, inference itself serves as the proof in establishing the illusory nature of worldly phenomena. To illustrate the application of this inference, Acharya Chitsukha states:
"This cloth (subject), is completely devoid of its own essential existence (predicate), because it is visible (reason), just like a pot (example)."
The structure of this cloth (or fabric) consists of threads, yet within these very threads, the cloth itself is entirely absent. At the same time, this cloth is also the counterpart of that very absence since it is a visible entity—just like a pot. The threads or fibers themselves are not the cloth or fabric. The absence of the cloth in its constituent threads is eternal and will always remain so.
Therefore, in the inference under discussion, the cloth or fabric has been taken as the subject (pax) to establish that its material components—the threads—lack the presence of the cloth itself. This conclusion is drawn based on the fact that the cloth is a visible entity. In all visible entities, the finer components always reveal the absence of the gross, perceptible form. Who does not perceive that the clay, which constitutes a pot, lacks the pot itself? That gold, which constitutes a gold necklace, lacks the necklace itself? That iron, which constitutes an axe, lacks the axe itself?
Since visibility exists in the cloth, we understand that the reason (visibility) resides in the subject (cloth). Visibility also exists in the pot, and the absence of the cloth within its threads (the inferred predicate) is also evident. Since the same principle applies to the pot, it has been presented as the example in this inference.
Source: Vedanta Philosophy—Advaita Doctrine, Volume III, Ashutosh Shastri, Kāvya-Vyākaraṇa-Sāṅkhya-Vedānta-Tīrtha, Vidyāvācaspati.
