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In philosophical terms these very alternative ways of expression (bhanga) can be put as follows: -
1. Syādasti 2. Syännästi
3. Syadasti-nāsti -
In a certain context it is.
In a certain context it is not.
In a certain context it is as well as it is not.
4. Syadavaktavyani - In a certain context it is
inexpressible.
5. Syadasti-avaktavyani - In a certain context it is but it is inexpressible.
6. Syännästi-avaktavyam – In a certain context it is not but it is inexpressible.
7. Syādasti-nāsti-avaktavyani - In a certain context it is as well as it is not and it is inexpressible.
Here, I wish to quote an example (suitably modified) from daily life, which I have read in the book, 'First Steps To Jainism' by AL Sancheti, and which, I am sure, will make this rather abstract discussion quite easily understood. If a person is ill, say he has common cold and fever, and if someone enquires about his state of health, he is likely to come across one of the following seven alternative answers to his query, which are illustrative of all the possible conditions of the sick man. Also, these alternative replies beautifully represent the seven-fold predication of his state of health: -
Statement
1. He is somewhat well
2. He is somewhat unwell
3. He is well as well as unwell
176 JAINISM: THE CREED FOR ALL TIMES
Interpretation The cold is better
(the fever is not).
The fever has not improved (but the cold has).
As far as the cold
is concerned, he is
