________________
274
-
A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
absolutey without reference to the other nature of the objects then it would lead to nibili m. It is, therefore, necessary to have second predication of negation. - THIRD PREDICATION (SYAD-ASTI-N ASTI)
The third predication is the composite predication of affirmation and negation. For instance, the pot is and is not. These predications are to be considered as presented successively from different points of view and not simultaneously. Otherwise, there would be contradiction. From the point of view of the four-fold scheme of expression of selfnature (svacatuştaya), the pot exists as pot. And from the point of view of the expression of other nature (para catuştaya) the pot does not exist as pot. In the first two predications, separate and independent expression of affirmation and negation have been made. But in the third predication the affirmation and negation are predicated of a thing successively for the sake of presenting the positive and the negative aspects of the thing.
FOURTH PREDICATION (SYAD AVAKTAVYAM)
The fourth predication presents the concept of inexpressibility. For instance, from a particular point of view and in a contextual situation the nature of the pot is inexpressible. The real nature of the pot in its pure form may not be expressible in terms of words, because a thing is complex and has infinite characteristics. All of them cannot be presented in words. This refers to the impossiblity of simultaneous affirmations and negations of the characteristics of the pot. This predication shows that we may understand the nature of the object in its various aspects, but it is difficult to predicate these characteristics in the form of language. But it should be realised that the predication of inexpressibility is not final. It has always reference to a particular point of view and the situation. Similarly, it is based on the acceptance of contradiction of the predication of affirmation and negation simultaneously. Otherwise, it would lead to agnosticism.
FIFTH PREDICATION (SYAD-ASTI-AVAKTAVYAM) .
This is the composite predication of affirmation and inexpressibility. For instance, it affirms the existence of the pot as a pot, but
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
