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intelligence, speech and language.
Jains, therefore, have extensively used a 'Chaturbhangi' of Configuration (VastuBheda), Position (Ashray-Bheda), Duration (Kaal-Bheda), and Mode (Avastha-Bheda) in their literature. Classifying with respect to the above four parameters, four probabilities may arise for any Substance or Situation
a. Eternal or short-term
b. Ordinary or specific
c. True or false
d. Definable or indistinguishable
For its probabilistic approach, above four postulates came to be known as Syadwad. At first reading, above four options sound quite confusing. Shankaracharya had commented to the extent that because of conflicting statements, the entire theory of Syadwad loses its authenticity. However, Dr. Radhakrishnan accepted that the wisdom of Jainism has most often been miscounstrued by those who do not refer the original Jain literatire but resort to the translated languages which often fail to comprehend the true spirit of the Jainism. He stressed that in order to make concepts of Jainism popular, an authentic English translation of ancient Jain literature is essential.
An example at this stage will make the readers comprehend the essence of Syadwad. Let us consider a room illuminated by the sun during the day, dimly lit during the evening and dark during the night. What is the truth behind 'illuminated', 'dimly lit', and 'dark'? What is absolute light or absolute darkness? What do we call illumination-absence of darkness? Or, is absence of light darkness? Even the brightness of sun is different at its own surface and at the surface of earth! There are stars which are million times brighter than our sun! So, how do we define brightness? There are three possible conditions
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• Brightness: presence of light (Aasti-bhava) and absence of darkness (Naastibhav).
⚫ Darkness: less of light (Naasti-bhava) and more of darkness (Aasti-bhava). • Quantum In all situations, quantum of light and darkness is indeterminate (A-vaktavya).
In view of the modern advancements in scientific concepts, a striking resemblance can be established between laws of Physics and theory of Anekanta.
(iii) Scientific Aspect
Scientists, during their journey into the micro world, hit upon the unique properties of 'light'. Soon it was established that the light represent a boundary condition | between the micro and the macro world. Subsequently, Einstein proposed his theory | of relativity which entirely based on the Physics of light. Paradoxically, Einsten de- ! clared in his theory of relativity that the speed of light is independent and not relative to the speed of observer. However, space and time will be observed differ- I ently by the observers moving at different speeds. This means that two observers,
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