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24.
Syadvada
THE most distinguishing feature of Jaina metaphysics is found
I reflected in the doctrine of 'may be' which asserts that no single proposition can express the whole of Reality fully. The term syādvāda is derived from the term syāt meaning ‘may'. If the aim of metaphysical inquiry is to comprehend Reality, the Jainas point out, it cannot be achieved by formulating certain simple, categorical propositions merely. Reality being complex any one simple proposition cannot express the nature of Reality fully. That is the reason why the term “May be is appended to the various propositions concerning Reality by the Jaina philosophers. As will be evident from the sequel, seven propositions are put forward by the Jaina philosophers, without any affirmation whatsoever in regard to any one of the propositions. Dasgupta explains the significance of the term ‘May be as follows : "The truth of each affirmation is ... only conditional, and inconceivable from the absolute point of view. To guarantee correctness, therefore, each affirmation should be preceded by the phrase syāt (“may be'). This will indicate that the affirmation is only relative, made somehow, from some point of view and under some reservations and not in any sense absolute. There is no judgment which is absolutely true, and no judgment which is absolutely false. All judgments are true in some sense and false in another.”1
The nayavāda of the Jainas provides the frame-work for the
1 op. cit., Vol. I, p. 179
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