Anekantavada

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

Page 79

relationship. As pointed out above, there is no room for any perhaps' or 'may be', so far as the factum of relationship between the pitcher and existence is concerned. The relationship is certain, unambiguous and definite and Eva is intended to emphasise the certainty and definite. ness of this relationship.
Words, Eva and Syát, have their place in each of the seven-fold predications and in each of those propositions, their significations and usefulness are the same, as indicated above. In order to guard against the charge of quibbling and substance-less argumentation, the Jaina thinkers take care in enjoining that in the application of the sevenfold predications, it is to be seen at the outset that the relationship between the object and the modal feature under consideration is consistent with facts of observation and reason. Thus, to start wranglings on such "predications as “Air is solid” or "Fire quenches thirst' is to be condemned as misapplications of the doctrine of Syād-vāda.
It is not to be thought that the sevenfold predications apply only to cases or highly philosophical interest. The scope of Syād-vāda is really unlimited and comprehends every case where correct knowledge is sought for. As will be shown