________________ Pancastikaya-samgraha और [तत्रितयम् ] अवक्तव्यता-युक्त तीन भंगवाला (स्याद् अस्ति-अवक्तव्य, स्याद् नास्ति-अवक्तव्य और स्याद् अस्ति-नास्ति-अवक्तव्य - [सप्तभङ्गम् ] इस प्रकार सात भंगवाला [ सम्भवति ] है। The substance (dravya), essentially, is that which is expressed through the seven-limbs (saptabhanga) of assertion. These are: in a way (syad)1 it simply is - syadasti, in a way it simply is not - syad-nasti, in a way it simply is and in a way it simply is not - syad-asti-nasti, in a way it simply is indescribable - syad-avaktavya, and the combinations of 'indescribable' (avaktavya) with the first three: in a way it simply is and in a way it simply is indescribable - syad-asti-avaktavya, in a way it simply is not and in a way it simply is indescribable - syad-nastiavaktavya, and in a way it simply is, in a way it simply is not and in a way it simply is indescribable - syad-astinasti-avaktavya. EXPLANATORY NOTE The 'seven-nuance system' (saptabhangi) embraces the seven limbs (saptabhanga) of assertion, the one-sided but relative method of comprehension, and also the acceptance and rejection of the assertion. Things are neither existent nor non-existent absolutely. Two seemingly contrary statements may be found to be both true if we take the trouble of finding out the two points of view from which the statements were made. For example, a man may be a father with 1. The particle 'syad' in a sentence qualifies the acceptance or rejection of the proposition or predication expressed in the sentence. It refers to a 'point-of-view' or 'in a particular context' or 'in a particular sense'. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
