Treatise on Jainism

Author(s): Jayantibhai S Sanghvi
Publisher: S J Sanghvi

Page 27

A Treatise on Jainism
Jain Philosophy is at the helm of all philosophies and the Jain Religion is the perfect religion. The word Syadvad is composed of two words “Syať and “Vada'. Syat means in a sense or from a certain standpoint (Apeksha) and Vada points at Principle or School. One thing from one standpoint or point of view appears to be of a certain type while from another point of view the same thing appears to be of a different type. Therefore, to comprehend the full aspect of a thing one must take into account several points of view. This being the belief of Syadvad, it is sometimes also known as “Anekantavada” as well (i.e. that school of thought which takes into account more than one point of view). To understand the true nature of Syadvada, Apekshavada or Anekantavada one must properly follow the two parables viz. (1) The other side of the shield, and (2) The story of Blind Men and the Elephant.
(1) On the outskirts of a village a statue was erected in honour of one of its heroes. It had a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. One side of the shield was gilted with gold while the other one was gilted with