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A SOURCE-BOOK IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
THE NIKSEPA METHODOLOGY
Nikṣepa presents a harmonious blending of the word and its expression. It would be difficult to understand the significance of the meaning of the terms used without nikşepa. The special characteristic of niksepa is that it gives clarity of expression and thought in analysing the meaning of the word as it is expressed by the word. The words signify the meanings and meaningful words are the primary considerations of the use of language. Words and their expressions convey the characteristics that the objects have. Sometimes, although the words do not convey the presence of attributes of an object, the implication of the presence of attributes is to be found in the use of the words. In this sense, the intention of the speaker is also important, otherwise the language will lead us astray and serious fallacies will arise. For example, a person who was a judge some time in the past, cannot be always considered to be a judge even at the present moment. It may be a false statement. This kind of a distinction in the use of the words and the significance of the meanings of the words in different situations is an importanat function of nikşepa.
Nāma nikṣepa refers to the name, more specially the proper name, arbitrarily given to an object without considering the presence or the qualities suggested by the name. For example, the name of a very poor man may be Laxminārāyāņa. A proper name has no connotation.
Sthāpānā nikṣepa, the denotation of a thing and the connotation is implied and projected in the object, although it does not by itself have that connotation. For instance, a stone image is referred to as God.
Dravya nikṣepa refers to the substance with its qualities implied in the word. For example, a pot which used to contain ghee in the past is even now called ghee-pot. Similarly, a pot purchased for keeping ghee, but which does not at present contain ghee, is also called a ghee-pot. A person who was an eminent lawyer gives up his practice as a lawyer and starts a business. Still he is called a lawyer. A person of wealth in this world is called Indra and a person who posse
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