Jain Journal 1987 01

SR No.: 520085
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 40
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 9

76
JAIN JOURNAL
their own respective spheres but if they are taken in absolute sense they are wrong and become fallacious (durnaya).18
The doctrine of syādvāda or saptabhangi entertains within its fold every possible theory. It welcomes in it, all nayas and thus is like a necklace of pearls wherein every system has its proper place like a pearl.19A In this doctrine discordent notes are blended so as to make a perfect harmony. As rivers mingle in the ocean, so do all the systems mingle in the syādvāda. 19B
The doctrine of syādvāda is nothing but systematic description of manisided nature of reality in words. Jaina thinkers claim that no philosophical proposition can be true if it is simply asserted without condition. If it is asserted, then, it becomes onesided (ekänta) view. It also excludes other rival possibilities. To avoid this shortcoming, syādvāda makes use of the convenient particle 'syat'(=in certain respect) in all the seven varieties of a particular predication. The particle 'syat' indicates the manisided nature of a proposition. It is a doctrine of relativity of truth, according to which affirmative and negative statements can be made in regard to one and the same thing in the following way :
1. Relatively the pot does exist. 2. Relatively the pot does not exist. 3. Relatively the pot does exist and does not exist. 4. Relatively the pot is indescribable. 5. Relatively the pot does exist and is indescribable. 6. Relatively the pot does not exist and is indescribable. 7. Relatively the pot does exist, does not exist, and is indescribable.20
Each philosophical proposition is subjected to this sevenfold formulation in order to remove the danger of onesidedness (ekāntavāda). This is also called saptabhangi, bacause, it consists of seven kinds of expression regarding one and the same thing with reference to its particular aspects,
18 (a) Sanmati Tarka L-13, p. 18.
(b) P.N.T., VII-2, p. 511. (c) Aptamimamsa, 108, ed. Pt. Giridharlal Jain, Pub : Siddhanta Prakasini
Sanstha, Benares, 1914. 19A S.M., XXX, p. 174. 19 Dvatrimsika, IV-15, Dvatrimsad Dvatrimsika, ed. P. Sushilavijaya Gani, Pub :
Vijayalavanayasurisvara Jnanamandir, Botad, Saurastra, V.S. 2012, p. 10. 20 (a) S.M., XXIII, p. 142-143.
(b) P.N.T., IV. 13-21.