Multidimensional Application of Anekantavada

SR No.: 014009
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Sagarmal Jain, Shreeprakash Pandey, Bhagchandra Jain Bhaskar
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 552
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Seminar & Articles
File Size: 9 MB

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Multi-dimensional Application of Anekāntavāda
5. May be it is not and is indescribable (Syāt Asti A vakta vya) 6. May be it is not and is indescribable (Syät Nāsti A vaktavya) 7. May be it is, it is not and is indescribable (Syāt Asti-nāsti-A vaktavya)
This doctrine guides the student to view a thing, an object, a principle or Jivain several options i.e., as many ways as possible. This Syādvāda is known as Saptabhangi Naya because of the seven probabilities, which try to cover up all the probabilities (Syāt), or the options. Sukhlalji states that -
“The number seven is laid down because more than seven options (bhangas) are not possible. Split the first three in variety and Saptabhangi results. If we can find more than seven bhangas, Jaina philosophy cannot insist on Saptabhangi.”
However, he is of the opinion that the first three are the most important and the rest are a rather minor offshoot of the three. Dr. Apte is of opinion that the first two are the most important." However, if we insist on giving importance to all seven, there should be no harm. Knowledge of thing can be grasped by as many options as possible and scholars and sages have contended that both in our life and in the realm of dharma (Religion) and darśana (philosophy), there be some thing, or problems or experiences that defy all due expression in words.
Taittiriya Upanișad beautifully describe the inability of the senses in approaching the Reality or absolute (Brahman) as a whole, and says that “from which speech comes back together with the bond without attaining him."'12 According to this statement the ultimate Reality is not within the purview of speech. Buddhism states that in man's life there are several things that are indefinable (A vayāksta) and so states the Ācārāṁga sütra (5/6/123)
"savve sarā niyattanti'i.e. all sounds get reflected or fail to reach there. In other words it is impossible to express thae nature of the soul (Reality) in words. Jainism also refers to several experiences as Anabhilāpya in the same sense.
A brief summary of this famous doctrine of Saptabharigi, which elaborates on Anekānta vāda, is very much there with Jainism because of its famous doctrine of “Pluralistic Realism” Thus Anekātmavāda is