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46 Aspects of Jaina Religion
it is termed the dravya-naya or the dravyārthika-naya, i.e., the substantial point of view.
(B) Vyavahāra-naya and Niśchaya-naya
On the same lines, in spiritual discussions, the things could be described both from a practical point of view and from a realistic point of view. Thus when things are described from the common sense or practical point of view, it is termed the vyavahāra-naya; and when things are described from the pure or realistic point of view, it is termed the nischaya-naya.
(C) Seven Nayas
Since naya is the device which is capable of determining truly one of the several characteristics of an object (without contradiction) from a particular point of view, the Jaina philosophers formulated seven nayas. These seven nayas are:
(i) Naigama naya, i.e., universal-particular, or teleological point of view.
(ii) Sangraha naya, i.e., the class point of view. (iii) Vyavahāra naya, i.e., the standpoint of the particular. (iv) Rjusūtra naya, i.e., the standpoint of momentariness. (v) Sabda naya, i.e., the standpoint of synonymous. (vi) Samabhirūḍha naya, i.e., the etymological standpoint. (vii) Evambhūta naya, i.e., the 'such-likes' standpoint.
It is also maintained that these seven nayas could be considered as sub-divisions of dravyārthika and paryāyārthika nayas. Thus, the first three nayas, viz.,
the naigama naya,
the sangraha naya, and
the vyavahāra naya
are the sub-divisions of dravyārthika naya as they deal with objects.
Similarly, the last four nayas, viz.,
the rjusūtra naya,
the sabda naya,
the samabhirudha naya, and
the evambhuta naya
