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The Vision of Śiva· 5.47 / 110

The Vision of Śiva5.47

5.47
अत्रापि क्वापि वास्तीति कल्पना कल्पनैव हि । यत्र यत्र भवेद्धूमस्तत्राग्निरित्यनिश्चयात् ॥४७॥
atrāpi kvāpi vāstīti kalpanā kalpanaiva hi | yatra yatra bhaveddhūmastatrāgnirityaniścayāt
— whether here ; — or somewhere (else) ; — it is ; — thus ; — the supposition ; — is mere supposition indeed ; — wherever ; — there be smoke ; — there (is) fire ; — that ; — because of (its) uncertainty

The supposition '(the fire) is either here or somewhere (else)' is mere supposition indeed, since the (rule) 'wherever there is smoke, there is fire' is (itself) uncertain (in any precise application).