________________
Chapter Ten THEORY OF RELATIVITY
"Of ten things that annoy us, nine would not be able to do so, if we understood them thoroughly in their own causes, and therefore know their necessity and true nature.”
... ... to see things purely as objects of understanding is to rise to freedom.”
--- Schopenhauer.
Indeed, proper understanding of conflicting factors in individual or social life is more than a mere oiling of universal mechanism. How to get such an understanding ? Nayavada reveals a technique to arrive at such an understanding. It teaches us that truth reveals to us only partially if viewed from a particular aspect. Even if one finds that a proposition is quite contrary to the conviction he had for whole life, hence the cause of great irritation to him, once he applies the principles of Nayavāda his irritation begins to subside. The simple reason being that he begins to realize the real cause for that contrary proposition.
Wby Relativity
When we judge an object, we take into account not only its intrinsic-substance, i. e., Dravya, but also the place ( Kșetra ) where it is found, the time ( Kāla ) when it is found, and the shape (Akara ) as well as the concept (Bhāva ) in which it is found.
Moreover, subjective attitude and past recollections towards the same or similar objects play a decisive role in judgement. At the same time prejudices and predilections, social upbringing, environmental necessities and politico-social taboos also play a very decisive role, in a judgement about an idea.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org