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A Hand Book of Jainology
knowledge has been obtained. Therefore, Naya is also called point of view. It has so many kinds as there are predications. But the most widely current and accepted ones are seven :
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(1) Naigam Naya; (2) Samgrah Naya; (3) Vyavahar Naya; (4) Sutra Naya; (5) Shabda Naya; (6) Samabhirud Naya and (7) Evambhut Naya.
(1) The Naigam Naya: Praman gives us a total and comprehensive knowledge of an object. Therefore, it does not think of any one aspect. Naya looks at one aspect of an object of all its aspects. Therefore, it turns towards aspects and thinks of an aspect. Different kinds of knowledge emerge from different aspects. From a gross consideration, in the beginning, Naigam Naya type of knowledge emerges and from a subtle consideration, subtle knowledge of Naya appears.
Every object has ordinary aspects as well as special aspects. For example, a cloth is like other cloths. This is an ordinary aspect. But from the point of view of pattern or shape, it is a special cloth. Even this can become ordinary when seen with other cloths of that pattern. But being white, it is special and is different from other cloths of other colours. In this manner, every object has its ordinary form as well as a special form. This pattern is seen as a special form. But it is common with others because even this is made of cotton.
This is a special pattern compared to silk because it is cotton. But in respect of pattern it is common with even silk with the same pattern. But it is special if it is stitched in a particular way. Thus an object has many ordinary or common qualities. From various points of view an object seems to possess common qualities or special qualities. Naigam Naya carries out this function. Nai Na Ek (not one) gam knowledge Naigam Naya gives us knowledge on the basis of many common and special qualities. This is certain that at any one time, we can know only one aspect.
(2) Sangrah Naya: This is knowing an object in its ordinary or common form. For example why do you entertain Moha? At the end, it destroys everything. Here in the inte
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