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III
SYĀDVĀDA
The theory of anekanta is the special contribution of the Jainas to the Indian Philosophical thought, specially to Indian Logic and epistemology. It is the foundational principle of Jaina thought. Anekanta is the basic attitude of mind which expresses that reality is complex which can be looked at from different points of view. Points of view are the nayas, and naya is the psychological expression of the basic principle of anekanta. Syadvada is the logical expression of nayavada in predicational forms. The various points of view from which reality can be looked gives the possibility of comprehensive view of reality. Such a view needs expression for the sake of clarity and communication. This has been possible by means of seven fold predication. It is called Saptabhangi, because of its sevenfold predication. It is the formulation of the doctrine of the possibility of apparent contradiction in a real whole. The real may as well contain contradictions without affecting the nature
