Arthapatti or Supposition

Arthapatti or Supposition is a means of knowing. Explained through a traditional example: If Devdatta is not eating during the day and still getting fat, we suppose that he is eating during the night. The means of knowing is not Perception as one is not seeing him eat at night, it is not Valid Testimony as no authoritative person is telling us about Devdatta eating at night, it is not Inference as there is no invariable concomitance between eating at night and becoming fat. Hence, Arthapatti or Supposition is a valid means of knowing over and above Perception, Inference and Valid Testimony.