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VIII
SYADVADA
The principles of Jain philosophy are impressed by the theory of Syadvada. In other words every principle of Jain philosophy is considered in the light of syadvada.
The word Syadvada is composed of two words 'Syat' and Vada. In this the word Syat means 'in a sense' or 'from a certain standpoint' (Apeksha) and the word Vada points at 'Principle' or school. Therefore, Syadvada is also called Apekshavada.
One thing from one stand point or point of view appears to be of a certain type while from another stand point or another point of view the same thing appears to be of a different type. Therefore, to comprehend the full aspect of a thing one must take into account several stand points or several points of view. This being the belief of Syadvada, it is sometimes also known as "Anekantavada" as well (i.e. that school of thought which takes into account more than one point of view). Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat www.umaragyanbhandar.com
