Jaina Logic

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

Page 74

Syadvada
tirthankara has been considered to be a "sarvadarti" and it is not possible to say that he did not know the implications and the methodological formulations of the doctrine of syadvada. It would be apter to say that the doctrine of saptabhangi was only elucidated by the Gagadharas and the later philosophers elaborated the theory. It is possible that the tirthaskaras presented their teachings in a way suitable to the intellectual climate of the audience and the later philosophers developed it.
We get abundant evidence for the antiquity of syadvoda as presented in the Āgamas, in the dialogues between Mahāvira and the disciples, Gautama Ganadhara asked several questions tregarding the nature and the state of Jiva in various conditions Similarly, questions were asked regarding the predications of the nature of molecules in different forms. Mahāvira answered. and said that :
1. A molecule with two space units is Ātman from the
point of self-nature of the Ātman.
2. From the point of view of the other nature of the
Ātman, it is not atmas.
3. From the point of view of both the self and the other
natures, it is indescribable.
4. From the point of view of the mode of existence of a
molecule of one place unit (ekadesi) and of the mode of non-existance of the sama, a molecule of two space points has a predication of affirmation and negation.
5.
From the point of view of the mode of existeance of one place unit (ekadesi) and of non-existence of the other place unit, a molecule of two space points has the predications of affirmation and inexpressibility.
6. A molecule of one place unit, having the mode of
non-existance, and of the other place unit having the