________________
There are numerous example-stories in other Āgamic texts, though not called nāya,yet serving the same purpose.
Example-stories may be used in support of one's proposition and also to counter the opponent's proposition. There are a good many of the latter type in the debate between Keśīkumāra-śramaņa and king paesi (pradeśī ?) in the second Upānga-Rāyapasenijjam. To establish his point of view - “tajjivo tam sarīram', paesī argues inter alia that he thoroughly dissected a living
jiva - soul was not traced. Kesikumāra - śramanna countred it with the story of a foolish wood-cutter who cut the araṇī-sticks into pieces to produce fire.
The tradition of nāya gains dimension in the Nijjutti ! Cūrnis and the commentaries and above all in later didactic literature such as Upadešamālā, Upadeśapada, Bșhatkathākośa, kathākośa-prakarana, Akhyāmakamaņikośa, kathākośa (kaha-kosu) etc. Collecting and collating the example-stories from these and other such compositions remains a desideratum.
Then ‘nāya' as derivative of ‘jñāta' and 'jñāta' meaning an example - story', has to be taken with a pinch of salt. Phonetically ‘n(n)āya’may be derivative of 'jñāta'. But ‘jñāta’ literally meaning an example-story is not supported either by etymology or by usage. This may, however, be a figurative meaning. In the five numbered syllogism, pratijñā, hetu, udāharaņa, upanaya and nigama, the udāharaṇa-example, has to be 'known or the syllogism will crumble. So the udāharaņa-example, may be called “jñāna' or 'dssta'. Another possibility is that the tatsama form might have been used to introduce an example-story, “jñāpakaṁ cāsya pakșasya śrūyatam yanmayā śrutam”, “Now listen to the example-story supporting this proposition that! heard and the example-story follows.
According to this supposition. jñāpaka>ņāyaya (there is occurrence of *ņāya' enlarged as 'ņāyaya and derivation from 'jñātaka,') Now 'nāyaya' may the apocopated as 'nāya’. This derivation is more consistent then the former.
- 90 -
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
