Nyayavatara

Author(s): Satish Chandra Vidyabhushan
Publisher: ZZZ Unknown

Page 35

NYAYAVATARA.
27
of view is the object of naya (or one-sided knowledge).
Objects, whether intrinsic or extrinsic, possess many different characteristics, and may be taken from different standpoints. They are understood in their entire character by omniscience alone, while to take them from a certain standpoint is the scope of raya (the one-sided method of comprehension).
Nuya (the one-sided method of comprehension) is of seven kinds, mentioned below:
(1) Vaigama (the non-distinguishod) is the method by which an object is taken in its generic and specific capacities not distinguished from each other. For instance, by the term “bamboo" one may understand a number of properties, some of which are peculiar to its own species, while the remaining ones are possessed by it in cominon with other trees, such as a mango, jack, banyan, etc., without any distinction being made between these two glasses of properties. The Nyaya and Vaiseșika schools of philosophy follow the Naigama nuyu.
(2) Saingraha (the generic) is the method by which the generic properties alone are taken into consideration without apy cognizance of the particular properties which, independent of the former, are non-entities, like-sky flowers. Thus, when we speak of a mango, jack or bamboo, we mean that it is a tree. The Advaita and Sâmkhya systems of philosophy follow the saingraha naya.
(3) V'yavah ira (the practical) is the method by which the practical or particular alone, is considered, for the general without the particular is a non-entity, like the horn of a hare. On being asked to bring a tree, can anybody bring the tree in general ? No, he can bring only a particular tree, such as a mango, jack or bamboo.
The Carvâka philosophy follows the Vyavahára naya.
(4) Rj-sutra (the straight expression) is the method by which a thing, as it exists at present, is considered, without any