Saptabhangi

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text on "Saptabhangi," based on the excerpts from Sukhlal Sanghavi's work:

The text "Saptabhangi" by Sukhlal Sanghavi explains the Jain philosophical concept of Saptabhangi, often translated as the "Seven-Fold Predication" or "Seven-Fold Logic."

Core Principles and Purpose:

• Foundation in Nayavada: Saptabhangi is built upon the principle of "Nayavada" (doctrine of standpoints). Nayavada posits that reality can be understood from different perspectives or standpoints. Saptabhangi's purpose is to reconcile seemingly contradictory viewpoints that arise from these different perspectives.
• Goal of Synthesis and Understanding Anekanta: The ultimate aim of Saptabhangi is synthesis (samanya) and to provide a comprehensive understanding of "Anekanta" (non-absolutism or manifoldness of reality). It seeks to demonstrate that different, even opposing, attributes can coexist within a single object when viewed from different angles.
• Reconciling Opposites: Saptabhangi's primary function is to resolve apparent contradictions. It addresses situations where different thinkers hold opposing views about an object or its attributes (e.g., eternal vs. non-eternal).

Structure and Derivation of the Seven Angas (Predications):

• Definition of Bhanga: A "bhanga" is defined as a type of statement or sentence structure that reveals the nature of an object.
• Three Fundamental Angas: While there are seven predication types, they are fundamentally derived from three core standpoints:
  1. Syad Asti (In a certain sense, it exists): Affirmation.
  2. Syad Nasti (In a certain sense, it does not exist): Negation.
  3. Syad Avaktavya (In a certain sense, it is indescribable): Indescribability.
• Four Combinations: The remaining four predication types are formed by combining these three fundamental ones:
  1. Syad Asti-Nasti (In a certain sense, it exists and does not exist): Affirmation-Negation.
  2. Syad Asti-Avaktavya (In a certain sense, it exists and is indescribable).
  3. Syad Nasti-Avaktavya (In a certain sense, it does not exist and is indescribable).
  4. Syad Asti-Nasti-Avaktavya (In a certain sense, it exists, does not exist, and is indescribable).

Illustrative Example (Soul/Self - Atma):

The text uses the example of the soul (Atma) to illustrate Saptabhangi's application. There are differing views on whether the soul is eternal (nitya) or non-eternal (anitya).

• Eternal Aspect: The soul is considered eternal in its fundamental essence, as it has no beginning or end and does not originate or perish in its core nature.
• Non-Eternal Aspect: The soul is also non-eternal from the perspective of its states and modifications. Its states constantly change due to various causes and conditions, reflecting subtle or gross transformations.
• Indescribable Aspect: The soul, when considered in its totality, cannot be fully captured by a single descriptive term like "eternal" or "non-eternal." While it can be described in terms of specific attributes from particular standpoints, its complete nature transcends any single verbal description. Therefore, it is also considered "Avaktavya" (indescribable).

This leads to the valid predication: "In a certain sense, the soul is eternal, in a certain sense it is non-eternal, and in a certain sense it is indescribable."

Historical Context and Purpose:

• Reconciliation of Debates: Saptabhangi emerged from the need to reconcile the conflicting philosophical debates prevalent in ancient India concerning attributes like eternality/non-eternality, existence/non-existence, oneness/multiplicity, and pervasiveness/non-pervasiveness of entities like the soul and words.
• Contribution to Anekanta: Saptabhangi is presented as a logical proof and a thought-provoking tool for understanding Anekanta. It demonstrates that for every attribute, its opposite can also be true from a different perspective.
• Not Skepticism: The text clarifies that Saptabhangi is not a form of skeptical or uncertain knowledge. Instead, it's a method for showcasing the multifaceted nature of truth. Scholars like Dr. A.B. Dhruv and Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan are cited as recognizing Saptabhangi as a demonstration of truth's various forms, not as doubt.
• Inclusivity of Truths: A key objective behind Saptabhangi is to accommodate and validate all perspectives that are not contradicted by valid knowledge (pramana), even if they appear to be contradictory on the surface.

The "Avaktavya" Predication:

The text delves into the meaning of "Avaktavya." Initially, it was understood as the inability of language to simultaneously express two opposing aspects of an object. However, a broader historical interpretation connects it to earlier philosophical traditions (Upanishads, Buddhism) where certain realities were described as "indescribable" or beyond verbal expression. In Jainism, the concept of "Abhilapya" (that which cannot be spoken of) is seen as a logical and reasoned extension of this "Avaktavya" in Saptabhangi.

Significance of the Seven Angas:

The number seven is significant because it represents all possible logical combinations of the three fundamental predications. Any further predication would either be repetitive or fall within these seven.

In essence, Saptabhangi is a sophisticated logical framework within Jainism designed to articulate the complexity of reality by acknowledging multiple, even seemingly contradictory, truths about an object or concept, all viewed from different standpoints. Its core aim is to foster a comprehensive and non-absolute understanding of the world.