Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 55

Epistemology of Jainas
(2) He defined pramāņa and its phala, which was unanimously followed throughout the logical period.
(3) He defined Syādvāda as Śruta-pramāṇa and nayas as
its parts.
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(4) He, for the first time, associated the term Nyaya with Saptabhangy.
The commentaries of Akalanka and Vidyananda, which we shall take up shortly, have considerably enhanced the value of Aptamimāmsā.
MALLAVĀDIN AND SIMHA-GANIN
(1) Mallavädin (6th cent.) was a contemporary of Siddhasena. He was a great logician. It is suggested that his proficiency in debate brought him the title of Mallavadin (The champion-debator). He wrote a commentary on Sanmatitarka, which is not available. His remarkable genious and penetrating vision can be seen in his independent work, Dvādaśāranayacakra. He has presented in it the theory of Syadvada in the form of a wheel, every absolutistic system representing one spoke of it. In a moving wheel one spoke is turned down by the second and this process goes on for ever. There is neither beginning nor end to it. At the same time one cannot say that one spoke is weaker than the other. Similarly, Mallavādin has arranged all the systems in the form of a wheel. One system is disproved by the other. None is weaker than its opponent which also meets the same fate. None is left unopposed. The complete wheel represents the comprehensive view of Syadvāda.
Mallavādin was a Svetambara; yet he was held in high esteem in the Digambara circle also, Akalanka shows a great respect for his Dvādasaranayacakra. He has recommended it for the knowledge of Nayas.1
(2) Simha-Ganin has written a big commentary on Dvadasara nayacakra. He flourished not later than 700 A. D.; as he
1. Nyayaviniscaya III 91