________________
CHAPTER I
1. 28 1
[ 31 The theory of cumulative truth (Anekānta) or the theory of the versatility of aspects is the right theory. It never dogmatically asserts as regards anything. How a man well versed in Anekānta looks at various views is mentioned in the following verse :
णिययवयणिजसच्चा सव्वनया परवियालणे मोहा। ते उण ण दिट्ठसमओ विभयइ सच्चे व अलिए वा ।। २८ ।।
All’ the Nayas are right in their own respective spheres – but if they encroach upon the province of other Nayas and they try to refute their views they are wrong.
A man who holds the view of the cumulative character of truth (Anekäntajña) never says that particular view is right or that a particular view is wrong.
Every Naya is justified in defending its own view in its limited aspect. As long as it is conscious of the limitation of its own view—it is right. If it transgresses its limit and tries to refute the rival view, it is faulty. It is because of this that an Anekāntajña (a man who holds the versatility of aspects or viewpoints) having undersiood the limitations of each view tries to synthe
1 Compare Visesavasyaka-bhāsya : Gātha 2272.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
