शुभविजयगणिकृता प्रमाणनयतत्त्वप्रकाशिका स्याद्वादभाषा
Summary
This article presents a critical study of the Pramāṇa‑naya‑tattva‑prakāśikā Syādvādabhāṣā composed by Śubhavijaya, a 17th‑century Jain monk. The treatise systematically expounds Jain epistemology (pramāṇa) and the doctrine of syādvāda (conditional predication). Organised into twenty adhikāras, it discusses topics such as the nature of reality, the qualities of the Jina, devotion to the guru, charity, austerity and the bondage and liberation of the soul. The article summarises each chapter, highlighting how Śubhavijaya distinguishes between perception, inference and scripture as means of knowledge and emphasises that statements are valid only from specific standpoints. It explains the sevenfold predication (saptabhāṅgī), which resolves contradictions by considering context. The author notes that Śubhavijaya synthesises earlier Jain thinkers and engages with Nyāya and Advaita critiques. The treatise blends Sanskrit prose with Prakrit verses, and the modern edition by Narayan S. Kansara makes it accessible. The article argues that syādvāda offers a model for pluralistic logic and intellectual non‑violence.
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Conclusion
By analysing Śubhavijaya’s treatise, the article showcases the sophistication of Jain epistemology and the syādvāda doctrine. The work’s emphasis on conditional predication provides a framework for reconciling divergent viewpoints, underscoring Jainism’s commitment to pluralism and non‑violence.