________________
The Jaina Philosophy of Sentence : (79)
While criticising the theory of complex (samghātavāda), Prabhācandra in Prameya-kamala-mārtaṇḍa asks whether the complex or the combination of term is space-oriented or time-oriented. If we regard it either as space oriented or as time-oriented, in both the cases, such complex would not be logically feasible for in hearing of a sentence, it is not possible for the terms to make a complex, which are produced and destroyed successively in the same space and time. Further, the question may also be raised as to the terms, which find the form of a sentence, are different from the sentence or the same. They cannot be different, for if they are regarded as different they will cease to the parts of the sentence. Moreover, the way in which say, a colour cannot be combined with another, the terms can also not be combined. Furthermore, if the complex is regarded as non-distinguishable (with the terms) it may be asked then, whether it is absolutely non-distinguishable or relatively non-distinguishable. If it is absolutely non-separable then it would be of the nature of the parts which make the complex. In other words, the very terms will take form of a sentence. In that case, the complex would become meaningless. If the complex were regarded partly as different and partly as the same, then it would be a position agreeable to Jaina thinkers. The Jainācāryas also regard terms as relatively different and relatively identical with the
sentence.
(3) Sentence as a Common-factor (Jāti)
Some thinkers believe that a sentence is not a complex of terms. It is rather than common-factor called Jati, which is born out of the combination of terms. In a sentence, the terms lose their independent 'identity'. They instead, give together a meaningful understanding of a common-factor in which lies the meaning of the sentence. According to this theory, a sentence of course, is made of the complex of terms, but it does not recognise the potentiality of meaning in terms of independent of sentence. Though, every term in a sentence has its own individuality, yet the meaning of a sentence is an independent element and if terms have any meaning, they have it only within a sentence. It is just like the parts of a body, which can maintain their function within the body and not without it. Terms get their meaning only as parts of a sentence.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
