Aptamimansa

Author(s): Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vikalp Printers

Page 56

Aptamīmāṁsā
The primary modes of predication are three – syād-asti, syād-năsti and syād-avaktavya; the other four are obtained by combining these three.
The phrase 'in a way' (syāt) declares the standpoint of expression - affirmation with regard to own substance (drauya), place (ksetra), time (kāla), and being (bhāva), and negation with regard to other substance (dravya), place (kşetra), time (kāla), and being (bhāva). Thus, for a “jar', in regard to substance (dravya) - earthen, it simply is; wooden, it simply is not. In regard to place (kşetra) – room, it simply is; terrace, it simply is not. In regard to time (kāla) - summer, it simply is; winter, it simply is not. In regard to being (bhāva) – brown, it simply is; white, it simply is not. And the word ‘simply' has been inserted for the purpose of excluding a sense not approved by the ‘nuance'; for avoidance of a meaning not intended. The phrase 'in a way' is used to declare that the ‘jar' exists in regard to its own substance etc. and not also in regard to other substance etc. Even where the phrase is not employed, the meaning is conceived by knowers of it in all cases from the sense; just as the word eva, having the purpose of cutting off the non-application.
The seven modes of predication may be obtained in the case of pairs of opposite attributes like eternal and non-eternal, one and many, and universal and particular. These pairs of opposites can very well be predicated of every attribute of reality. In the case of contradictory propositions, we have two opposite aspects of reality, both valid, serving as the basis of the propositions. Hence there is neither doubt nor confusion; each assertion is definite and clear.
To the existence of an entity non-existence is indispensable; and to its non-existence the former. And the primariness and secondariness of the two depends on the standpoint or intent.
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