Anekantavada

Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: Atmanand Jain Sabha

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the object from different angles, it enlightens one on the diverse aspects of the object. It depicts seven main types of stand-points, called soven Nayas, from which an object should be looked at. Jain scriptures have given a detailed description of the seven Nayas. A. sound knowledge of these Nayas is a rare achievement.
Great is the depth of Naya-vāda and rare is its knowledge. It is the only real systera of philosophy, imparting right knowledge beyond any shadow of doubt and confusion. Doubt and confusion, that mar the knowledge, cannot be elimi. nated without the light of Naya-vāda, which is à sure remedy for obtaining purity in knowledge and for having a correct comprehension of an object. Without the light of Naya-vāda, even a great effort to realise the truth will just amount to an infliction of pain on oneself, for, any action guided by impure knowledge cannot be right. Right attainment cannot be had in absence of right conduct and right conduct cannot be practised in absence of right knowledge.
It may be seen that if a man has deep faith in the absolute belief that soul is eternal and can never be slain, there is no reason why he should desist from violence; for, his act of violence never results in the soul being slain.