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characteristics of an object (Reality) is called Syādvāda. In other words, it is the exposer or systematizer of anekānta, showing which one of those characteristics stands with which point of view. Syät means perhaps, under certain condition etc., and it signifies assertion of probability; and Vāda means theory or doctrine, With such assertion, Syādvāda justifiably interprets the aneka-dharmātmaka Reality in the form of Seven-fold Predication, known as Saptabhangi--bhanga meaning predication of these seven predications, only three are fundamental : asti, năsti and avaktavyaṁ -affirmation, negation and undescribability respectively. With this system of predication, Syādvāda shows that there are in all seven ways of interpreting an object, its attributes and modes. It also demonstrates to us that the same truth can be differently expressed without committing us to any kind of contradiction.
Many a time Syādvāda is used as a synonym of Anekāntavāda, Dr. M. L. Mehta supports such usage in the following statement?: The relativity of judgement (Syādvāda) is nothing but a relative judgement about an object that possesses indefinite aspects or characteristics. In other words, a relative judgement is not possible unless the object for which that judgement stands is anekāntātmaka. Moreover Syādvāda, which is a system of convincingly interpreting Anekāntavāda, an important doctrine in Jainism, is also frequently used as a synonym for Jina-pravacana the entire) teachings of the Jina.8 Prof. Jacobi points out, for example, the reputed Jaina work Syādvāda-mañjari as the Exposition of Jaina Philosophy.' Perhaps on such grounds, Dr. Dayanand Bhargava remarks that Syādvāda has almost become a synonym for Jainism itself.10 Further, Syādvadā is also used as a prominent characteristic of the Jina-śāsana--the (whole) Jaina Doctrine. For example, in Karnataka in almost all Jain inscriptions the opening verse forms the following invocation11 :
śrimatparamagambhira syädvādamogha lāñcchanam jiyāt trailokyanāthasya śāsanam jinaśāsanam
May the Doctrine of the Jina be victorious--the Doctrine of the
7 Outlines of Jaina Philosophy, Jain Mission Society, Bangalore, 1954, p. 118. 8 Vide Studies in Jainism, Prof. Hermann Jacobi, Ahmedabad, 1945, p. 51. 9 Ibid. 10 Jaina Ethics, Varanasi, 1968, Preface, p. vii. 11 (1) Dr. B. A. Saletore projects this famous verse with all pride at the opening of
his treatise Medieval Jainism, Karnatak Publishing House, Bombay, 1938. (ii) Prof. S. R. Sharma finds this verse even on one of the Memorial Stones
(Veeragallu) recording the death of a Jain Hero. Vide his Jainism and Karnat ak Culture, Karnatak Historical Research Society, Dharwad, 1940, p. 55.
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