Jain Journal 1973 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 22

OCTOBER, 1973
joined together produce brilliant light similarly seemingly-opposite approaches of truth like positive and negative aspects of thought when coordinated produce light as well as delight.
Gandhiji once told me in 1934 that he had very high regard for the doctrine of Syādvāda. He practised it in his life. Dr. Rajendraprasad's appreciation of this doctrine is significant, "This doctrine of Syādvāda is a valuable contribution of Jainism to Indian religions and world philosophy. It consists of catholic views along with the capability to appreciate others' approaches to reality.” (Calender, 1955-60, Research Institute of Prakrit, Jainology and Ahimsa, Vaishali).
Syadvāda illumines the path of complete truth and liberty. Jesus had said, “Ye shall know the truth and truth shall make you free." Complete truth can be properly understood with this philosophy of Syādvāda which is above shortsighted comprehension of reality. Acarya Amrita Candra has suggested to take lesson from the milk-maid while she churns the curd. “As a milk-maid obtains butter out of curd by drawing one side of the rope and loosening the other side, similarly this doctrine makes one attribute essential from a particular point only, but then other attributes become secondary. This process of thinking and its expression undergoes a change like the tightening and loosening of the rope by the milk-maid while churning."
This rational and scientific attitude of intellectual impartiality is of immense use for scientific or philosophical researches. We must realise that our intellect is too small to comprehend the entire reality. Our limited intellect can have a glimpse of a few facts of the grand truth. In this context Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's observations are remarkable ; “We have to realise that truth is many-sided and it is not the monopoly of any group-formation." (Bhavan's Journal, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay).
Syādvāda stands unique in the domain of world thought and if followed into practice it will bring inner harmony and lasting peace to humanity.