________________
A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
271
units the predicational forms are many. But these predicational forms are only permutations of the seven-fold predications based on the number of space only. It would be a fallacy to say that the saptabhangi doctrine is not restricted to seven-fold predications alone.
(7) The conception of the partial place unit structure (vikalādesa) and complete place unit structure (sakalādesa) is also to be found in the Agama literature, for analysing the doctrine of saptabhangi. In the āgamas, we find that the first three predications are “sakalādesī' and the remaining redications are "vikalādesi'. THE METHODOLOGY OF SEVEN-FOLD PREDICATIONS
From the point of view of grammatical presentation of the propositions, there are two forms of predications (i) of affirmation and (ii) negation. These predications are complementary, because affirmation implies the negation of its opposite and negation implies affirmation of its contrary. From the absolute point of view there is relation between the affirmation and negation, but considered from relational point of view, the two forms of proposition of affirmation and negation are complementary to each other. These two propositional forms combine to give rise to seven-fold (predications. The sevenfold predications are;
(1) Syād-ašti-From a particular point of view “it is'. (2) Syād-năsti-From a different point of view “it is not'.
(3) Syād-asti-nāsti - From a still different approach to problem ‘it is and is not.
(4) Syad avaktavyam-From another point of view, “it is inexpressible.'
(5) Syad astiavaktavyam-From a point of view, “it is and is inexpressible.'
(6) Syād nāsti-avaktavyam-From another] point of view “it is not and is inexpressible'.
(7) Syād-asti-nästi avaktavyam-From a different point of view 'it is, it is not and is inexpressible'.
In the seven-fold predications affirmation, negation, and inexpressibility are primary forms of predications. With the combinations of
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
