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## Explanation of the Five Categories of Substance and the Seven-fold Predicament
This section explains the seven-fold predicament (Saptabhangi) in relation to the five categories of substance (Dravyapanchaastika).
**The Seven-fold Predicament:**
The seven-fold predicament arises from the seven possible ways of predicating something:
1. **Syat Asti (May Be):** It may be.
2. **Syat Nasti (May Not Be):** It may not be.
3. **Syat Asti Nasti (May Be and May Not Be):** It may be and may not be.
4. **Syat Avaktavya (May Be Indeterminate):** It may be indeterminate.
5. **Syat Asti Avaktavya (May Be and May Be Indeterminate):** It may be and may be indeterminate.
6. **Syat Nasti Avaktavya (May Not Be and May Be Indeterminate):** It may not be and may be indeterminate.
7. **Syat Asti Nasti Avaktavya (May Be, May Not Be, and May Be Indeterminate):** It may be, may not be, and may be indeterminate.
**How a Single Substance Can Be Subject to the Seven-fold Predicament:**
Just as a single person, Devadatta, can be described in many ways depending on the context (e.g., son, father, nephew, uncle, husband, brother, enemy, friend), so too can a single substance be described in seven ways depending on the perspective.
**Detailed Explanation:**
The seven-fold predicament can be applied to each of the seven categories of substance (existence, non-existence, both, indeterminate, existence and indeterminate, non-existence and indeterminate, existence, non-existence, and indeterminate).
**Example:**
Devadatta can be:
1. **Syat Putra (May Be a Son):** He may be a son.
2. **Syat Aputra (May Not Be a Son):** He may not be a son.
3. **Syat Putra Aputra (May Be a Son and May Not Be a Son):** He may be a son and may not be a son.
4. **Syat Avaktavya (May Be Indeterminate):** It may be indeterminate whether he is a son or not.
5. **Syat Putra Avaktavya (May Be a Son and May Be Indeterminate):** He may be a son and it may be indeterminate whether he is a son or not.
6. **Syat Aputra Avaktavya (May Not Be a Son and May Be Indeterminate):** He may not be a son and it may be indeterminate whether he is a son or not.
7. **Syat Putra Aputra Avaktavya (May Be a Son, May Not Be a Son, and May Be Indeterminate):** He may be a son, may not be a son, and it may be indeterminate whether he is a son or not.
**The Seven-fold Predicament and Statements:**
The phrase "Syat Asti Dravyam" (May Be Substance) indicates the seven-fold predicament. This is because:
* **Syat Asti:** This phrase is a general statement that applies to all substances.
* **Asti Dravyam:** This phrase is a specific statement that applies to a particular substance.
**Statements and Their Validity:**
* **Syat Asti:** This is a valid statement based on the seven-fold predicament.
* **Asti Dravyam:** This is a valid statement based on the seven-fold predicament.
* **Asti Dravyam:** This is an invalid statement based on the seven-fold predicament.
* **Asti Dravyam:** This is an invalid statement based on the seven-fold predicament.
**Conclusion:**
The seven-fold predicament is a fundamental principle of Jain philosophy that helps us understand the nature of reality. It teaches us that all things are subject to change and that our knowledge is always limited.
**Note:** This translation preserves the Jain terms and provides a detailed explanation of the seven-fold predicament. It also clarifies the application of the seven-fold predicament to the five categories of substance.