Jaina Theory of Multiple Facets of Reality and Truth

SR No.: 001746
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Nagin J Shah
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology
Publication Year: 2000
Total Pages: 168
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Nyay
File Size: 12 MB

Page 61

A Study of Syādvāda
43
The fifth formula describes affirmation only, and then both natures simultaneously. The six formula describes negation only, and then both natures simultaneously. The seventh formula describes both natures successively, and then simultaneously. (PNT IV, 15-21) Eva and Syāt
The term 'eva' which is used in some of the formulae of syädvāda is intended for determination (niscaya, avadhārana) or exclusion of others (vyavaccheda, nivrtti, vyāvịtti). The use of this term has been traditionally interpreted in three ways: (1) ayoga-vyavaccheda-bodhaka, (2) anya-yoga-vyavaccheda-bodhaka and (3) atyantāyoga-vyavacchedabodhaka, in accordance as the 'eva is connected with or limits, in a proposition, qualifying attribute (višeşana), substantive (višesya, uddeśya) or verb (kriyā) respectively. To give a brief account of these uses:
The first one connotes 'exclusion of unrelatedness', and is defined as 'not being counterpositive of (absolute] negation coexistent with the determinant attribute of substantiveness (uddeśyatā)' (uddeśyatāvacchedaka-samānādhikaranābhāvāpratiyogitva). In a stock example like 'This shell is simply white' (sankhaḥ pāņduraḥ eva), the determinant attribute of 'substantiveness' is 'shellness', and the counterpositive of absolute negation coexistent with it is red colour, blue colour etc. Thus the purport of this indicator 'eva' is to show that the shell is invariably possessed of or accompanied by white colour; the definition is quite similar to that of anvaya-vyāpti of Navya-nyāya where probans invariably implies probandum. To explain it more explicitly, it corresponds to the 'universal affirmative judgment' viz.
All shells are white'. The class of shell is pervaded denotatively by the class of things white. However, it is distinguished from the second case of 'eva' and denotes asama-vyāpti where the denotation of substantive is smaller than that of qualifying attribute, though both signifying 'universal affirmative judgment. It seems unsafe, or rather, misleading to apply symbolic logic to this interpretation in question, because both systems of logic are rooted in uttery different sources and traditions, and the defining technique of 'eva' dealt here has less