First Steps to Jainism Part 1

SR No.: 001640
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur
Publication Year: 2002
Total Pages: 300
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Education
File Size: 10 MB

Page 215

The Central Philosophy of Jainism- Anekantavad 71
(v) Asti-Avaktavya = Is and is In - expressible-exists and is inexpressible (vi) Nasti-Avktavya=Is not and is in-expressible-does not exist and is in
expressible (vii) Asti-Nasti- Avakavya = Is, Is not and is Inexpressible-Exists, does not
exist and is in-expressible.
32. To make this difficult subject and rather fine discussion easily understandable to common reader, an example of sevenfold or seven types of reactions may be quoted from every day mundane situations (which was given to the author by well known scholar Pt. Shobhachandji Bharill) Suppose a man is sick, an enquiry about his health may bring, as is every day experience, the following responses :
(i) (ii) (iii)
Theek hai (Is) Theek nahi hai (Is not) Theek hai bhi aur nahi hai (Is and Is not) Kuch kah nahi sakta (is inexpressible)
(iv)
The patient is well The patient is not well The patient is well as well as not well The patient's condition is inexpressible as nothing can be said definitely The patient is well butnothing can be said or is is inexpressible The patient is unwell: but nothing can be said or is inexpressible The patient is well, as well as unwell at the same time inexpressible as nothing can be said
Theek hai, Kuch kah nahi sakta (Is and is inexpressible) Theek nahi hai, per kah nahi sakta (is not and is inexpressible)
(vi)
(vii)
Theek hai, nahi bhi or kah nahi sakta (Is and Is not and is inexpressible)
33. However, all the seven predicates are preceded by the particle "SYAT" to make these non-onesided or adhere to Anekantavad or Nayavad (doctrine of stand point). As such it is also known as Syadvada or Doctrine of ConditionalYes-as explained below.
34. Syadvada - The word Syat in ordinary sanskrit is used to denote "perhaps" or "Maybe" that is why Syadvad is loosely