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Studies in Juinology, Trakni
or figures out to them the complete or whole elephant. Like this illustration, the exposition of one of the characteristics of an object (Reality) is ekānta; and the exposition of all the characteristics of it is anekānta. And such theory or doctrine is anekānta- vada the Doctrinc of Non-absolutism.
Syädvāda is another related doctrine which has emanaled from anekantavada". The method or system of interpretation of the various characteristics of an object (Reality) is called Syadvada. In other words, it is the cxposer or systematizer of anckānta, showing which one of those characteristics stands with which point of view,
Syal means perhaps, under certain condition etc., and it signifies assertion of probability; and Vāda means theory or doctrine. With such assertion, Syadvada justisiably interprets the anckadharmātmaka Reality in the form of Seven-fold Predication, known as Saptabhangi - bhanga meaning predication. Of these seven predications, only three are fundamental : asti, nāsti and avaktavyam - affirmation, negation and undescribability respectively. With this system of predication, Syadvāda shows that there are in all seven ways of interpreting or describing an object, its attributes and modes. It also demonstrates to us that the same truth can be differently expressed without committing us to any kind of contradiction.
Many a time syādvāda is used as synonym of anekāntavāda. Dr.M.L.Mehta supports such usage in the following statement : The relativity of judgement (syadvāda) is nothing but a relative judgement about an object that possesses indefinite aspects or characteristics. In other words, a relative judgement is not possible unless the object for which that judgement stands is anekāntātmaka.
Moreover syadvada, which is a system of convincingly interpreting anekāntavāda, an important doctrine in Jainism, is also frequently used as a synonym for Jina-pravacana - the (entire) teachings of the Jina°. Prof. Jacobi points out, for example, the reputed Jaina work Syadvada-manjari-Exposition of Jaina Philosophy". Perhaps on such grounds, Dr. Dayanand Bhargav
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