Jaina Logic

Author(s): T G Kalghatgi
Publisher: Raja Krisen Jain Charitable Trust New Delhi

Page 72

Syadvada
51
is to be identified with saptabhangi."" However this is just a scholastic problem and is not relevant for logical analysis and is needless from the philosophical point of view."'* Syadvado is that conditional method in which the modes, or predications (Bhangab) affirm (vidhi), negate (nigedha) or both affirm and negate severally and jointly in seven different ways a certain attribute (bhava) of a thing (vastu) without incompatibility (avirodhena) in a certain context (prašnavaśāt)."" Reality is complex and its nature cannot be expressed in an unconditioned position. Absolute affirmation and absolute negation are both erroneous. And the 'syar' would mean 'in a certain sense, or 'from a certain point of view'.120 In this sense Syadvada warns us against building a dogmatic structure of reality in a single concept or judgement. That would be logical dogmatism (nirapeksavada) as against the sapekṣavada expressed in Syadvada,
It is difficult to decide which is the earlier of the two. Nayavada seems to be earlier. Umasvati in his Tatvartha-s@tra describes the kinds of Nayas, but makes no mention of the Syadvada and sevenfold propositions. Yet it is possible that it existed long before him. Buddhist Suttas mention the doctrine in an erroneous way as the doctrine not of the Nigganthas but of some recluse and Brahmins In the earlier literature of the Jaina canon there are only a few passages in which there is a reference to Syadvada. They occur in the Bhagavati-sutra, in which it is expressed in the form of three propositions. Among the other early references, Bhadrabahu's Satrakṛtānga Niryukti is prominent. The developed form of the doctrine in the form
116 Nyayakumudacandra (Bombay 1935) No. 655 Syadastivadi Saptabhangamayo vadati.
117 Padmarajiah (Y. J.) Jaina Theories of Reality and Knowledge: 305. 118 Syådvada manjari (Edt by Dhruva 1933), pp. 142-143.
119 Hiriyanna(M) Outlines of Indian Philosophy (Allen Unwin 1931) p.163. 120 Padmarajah (Y. J.): Jaina Theories of Reality and Knowledge, p. 338,