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OCTOBER, 1982
knowledge from particular standpoint and saptabhangi or seven modes of expression, which added to philosophy enhances the readability and value of the latter.
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To the above Dr. A. N. Upadhye has added Pañcāstikāya-Sangraha and its commentary Tattvapradipikā by Srimad Amritacandra. An English rendering of this interpolation would have added to the usefulness of the volume.
JAINA TARKA BHASA by Mahopadhyaya Yasovijaya, containing the text in Sanskrit and English rendering by Dayanand Bhargava, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi, 1973. Pages xx+173. Price Rs. 20.00.
A seventeenth century work in logic by a Jaina logician, the book under review has three chapters as follows: (1) valid knowledge or pramāṇa, (2) knowledge from particular standpoint or naya and (3) imposition or nikşepa. These are themes common to several schools of Indian philosophy, though there are wide divergences between one school and the other. The main purpose of the author has been, as it appears, to consider and repudiate the non-Jaina view points, particularly those of Bauddhas, the Naiyayikas and the Sankhyas.
Unlike the point made by the translator that the Jainas have long been oblivious to the usefulness of this particular branch of knowledge, in the sense that it was not formalised for long, he has himself cited cases in the early centuries of the Christian era when celebrities had freely indulged into it. But if compared to the goal of a Jaina's spiritual life which was salvation, if logic was given a lesser place, it was because logic was merely a tool of discourse and discussion, rather than an end in itself. But that in no way reduced its value and it appears that in almost every age, important work on logic have made their appearance in the world of Jainism.
Pramāṇa and nayas apart, the most important original contribution of the Jainas to logic has been their treatment of anekānta, with which closely linked is saptabhangt or seven modes of expression. It is this anekānta or non-absolutism that helps remove many a dispute and promotes toleration. In the book under review, this aspect of logic does not figure because of its restricted interest. But it may be said that the publication of Jaina Tarka Bhāṣā has been an important addition to the available literature on the subject.
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