$JES 904 Compendium of Jainism (Jain Academic Bowl Manual 3rd Edition)

Author(s): JAINA Education Committee
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 97

PHILOSOPHY
B11 - Anekantaväda I - Theory of Multiplicity
Four Nikshepa (Four Way Analysis of Truth):
1. Name (Näm): The meaning that is not derived etymologically, but is gathered on the basis of convention set up by the father, mother or some other people, is known Näm Nikshepa. It means to refer to the object merely by its name. Our daily activity becomes easier by giving name to an object. For example, a poor person's name is King. He is known as King by name, even though he is very
poor.
2. Symbol (Sthäpanä): It means referring a person through his image, idol, picture, painting, etc. These things contain in themselves the symbol of an original object; e.g. looking at a marble idol at a temple, one says that this is Mahävir Swämi. In this usage, we superimpose the real thing on its representation, viz., a statue, a photograph, or a picture. 3. Potentiality (Dravya): Here one refers to an object by mentioning its past condition or future condition. The term Dravya' in the word 'Dravya Nikshepa' has the sense of potentiality. For example, we refer to a person as a king now even though he is not a king but is going to be a king in the future. 4. Actuality (Bhäva): It means the name signifying the object is meaningful in its present condition. This meaning satisfies the etymology of the concerned word. A person is called king (Räjä), when he is actually carrying the royal scepter and is shining with glory on that account; he is king in the real sense. For example, the word Tirthankar is used only after the soul attains omniscience and is now
preaching and establishing a fourfold religious congregation. 04 Summary We worship Supreme Soul (God) by respectfully remembering and muttering His name, worshipping His image, worshipping Him by devotedly serving the spiritual teacher, because the real spiritual teacher can be regarded as Supreme Soul (God) in potentia. In this way, Nam Nikshepa, Sthapana Nikshepa, and Dravya Nikshepa (rather our activities performed with respect to these three meanings) lead to Bhäva Nikshepa (rather the activity with respect to the Bhäva Nikshepa, or the actual attainment of the state corresponding to the actual etymological meaning of the concerned word).
Compendium of Jainism - 2015
Page 97 of 398