________________
GURUDEVA SMRITI GRANTHA
phers teaching this doctrine have written voluminous works to explain and expound its truth and subtlities. If this method of thinking is adopted in looking at the various religious tenets and philosophical creeds prevailing 11 India, which appear to be mutually conflicting, occasioning considerable differences of opinions, a perceptible change towards their reconciliation might occur.
Lala Kanpomal M A. has briefly explained the subtlities and merits of this pluralistic doctrine called Saptbhangi Naya. Briefly, but very lucidly, he explains the main principles of this doctrine, and it is hoped that the lover of philosophical truth would derive benefit from it.
The following is an extract from a speech recently delivered in Gujarat by Professor Anand Shankar Dhruva, a well-known Scholar
"The Syadvada doctrine has been given to the world after carefully sifting out the truth of a variety of philosophical doctrines. It does not originate, as some seem to think, from a vague indefinite and doubtful mental attitude in regard to things It gives a practically definite knowledge of a thing from a particular point of view Unless an object has been viewed and judged from variety of points of view, we cannot have its thorough knowledge. For gaining such a knowledge, the Syadvada doctrine is a specially fitted and useful instrument. There are people who say that this doctrine-the doctrine propounded by Lord Mahavir, is a doctrine of doubt. I do not agree with them. The Syadvada doctrine is not a doctrine of doubt. It enables a man to look at things from a wide and liberal View It teaches us how and in what manner to look at the things of this universe."
8
