Syadvada- Philosophy of Relativity :

The theory of Syadvada otherwise known as Anekantvada is the distinguished feature of the Jain Philosophy. It is an important subject as the doctrine is found only in the Jain Philosophy. Every principle of Jain Philosphy is considered in the light of "Syadvada". "Syad" means in a sense or form a certain strand point and "Vada" points at "Principle" or "School".

It points out relativity or true nature of a thing which cannot be explained in absolute terms. Jains maintain that a thing is possessed of many attributes and we express the thing only in one or more of these attributes. The relationships between the thing and that attribute cannot however be fully stated in an unmodified statement. The same thing appears to be of a different type from a different stand point. To comprehend the aspect one must take into account, several standpoints or views. Syadvada is also known as Anekantvada, or the Doctrine of Manifold Aspects. Anekantvada describes the world as manifold, an ever-changing reality, an infinity of view points depending on the time, place, nature and state of the one who is the viewer and that which is viewed.

What is true from one point of view is open to question from another. Absolute truth cannot be grasped from any particular view point alone. Absolute truth is the sum total of all the different-view points (more than one point of view).

The Syadvada with its "Sapta Bhang" or seven prepositions of modes of expressions each dealing with a particular aspect of a thing under consideration, yields Complete truth regarding that thing. These modes are interrelated and each pre-suppose other, each implies the other.

For an illustration, a man is a Son from his father's point of view, a Father from his son's point of view, a Brother from his sister's point of view and a Husband from his wife's point of view.

Relativity is the art of creative thinking. It is an honest effort to look at truth in its proper perspective. The art of choosing right angles at right time and right place and while doing so a Jain does not neglect other angles, but accepts them passively in their due importance, making the truth of subsidiary importance. Jainism says that relativity is mental non-violence.

Syadvada if properly understood reveals the true nature of a thing. The Syadvada is an unprecedented gift of the Jain Religion to the world. It can play the supreme role of bringing harmony among conflicting ideologies and thereby universal brotherhood will shine forth to the fullest extent.

Some extracts from 'Bhagavan Mahavira's Life' ( some previous births)

In the temporal ocean of endless births and rebirths, Jaina Philosophy takes congnizance of the Soul's birth towards eternal liberation only from the day the Soul acquires 'Samyaktwa' (right faith). Therefore maximum time for the soul's liberation will be within half 'Pudgala Paravarta Kala'.

Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara' of this 'Avasarpini' at the end of the forth descending time-cycle, had acquired 'Samyaktva' during the life of 'Nayasara'- a petty prince, in Mahavideha Ksetra.

Nayasara's family tradition of not to partake food without first entertaining at least one guest (Atithi Satkara). Which was the main reason for acquiring 'Samyaktwa'. He was on a look out for some quest is the course of his work in a forest when he saw some Jain monks, who had lost their way wandering in the forest. Elated, he went forward and gracefully received them. After food he went along to guide them till the town was visible. It was here the scholar preceptor having grasped the excellent nature and behavior of Nayasara, expressed his desire to give something in return. Nayasara listened intently to the councel regarding True Faith in 'Sudeva Suguru Sudharna' (right deity- right preceptor and right religion). With the result, he became a 'Samkiti' (intuition of inner-self) With faith he embraced Jainism and offered to dedicate his all towards religion.

After his second life as a celestial being in heaven, he was born as a prince 'Marichi', the son of Bharata Cakravarti, (King of Kings, sovereign of six continents) and his grand father was the first Tirthankara Rsabhadeva, in this 'Avasarpini' at the end of the third and beginning of the fourth section of the time-cycle. 'Marichi' renunciated and became a Jaina monk disciple of Lord Rsabhadeva, but he could not bear the rigours and strict hard life of a Jaina monk. He became an ascetic (Avrati), absence of vows and easier life, yet he advised all his would be disciples towards 'Lord Rsabhadeva' for 'True Spiritual Religion'.

Once in reply to a query from Bharata, "whether there is any one who would be a Tirthankara's soul in this august assembly?" The Lord said, "Your own son Marichi will be the 24th Tirthankara." Then Bharata Chakravarti went to Marichi; bowed most reverently, mentioning that he was paying respect to the 24th Tirthankara, but not to the ascetic. Marichi danced with joy and exclaimed with unseemly vanity, pride and exaltation at the family linrage. 'My grandfather is the first Tirthankara, my father is the 1st Chakravarti, I'll be the 1st Vasudeva (Sovereign of three continents) and the 24th Tirthankara. Thus he assimilated Karman of sin of heavy intensity and of long duration.

During his journey of births and rebirths he also had to go through the 7th hell, a lion's birth, again to the 4th hell. Jainism says that even a future / would be 'Onmiscient Arhat' must also suffer for all the acts of compassion or cruelty by going through different existence inclusive of heaven and/or hell according or the Cosmic Law, until complete liberation from the Karmic matter. Four great Souls of would -be Tirthankara from the present Avasarpini (Time Cycle) are now in hell as Infernal beings- King Srenika, and three Vasudevas (soverigns of three contients), Ravana and Laksman of the 'Ramayana' era and Krsna of the 'Mahabharata' era. Even today Jainas pray and adore with revence their Souls as future Tirthankara.

Some of the major 27 Bhavas (Life -spans) of Lord Mahavira.

1st : Nayasara - Became Samakiti, in the Mahavideha Ksetra.

3rd: Marici -Became Ascetic, devoid of Jaina religion for a few major births.

18th: Triprustha Vasudev - 1st Vasudev-hari (Soverign of three continents). As a rule all vasudevas invariably have to go to hell .

19th : Infernal being -went to 7th hell.

20th : Lion - Birth of Lion.

21st : Infernal being : went to 4th hell.

23rd : Priyamitra- Cakravarti- (Sovereign of six continents) in the Mahavideha Kestra. Renunciated- became a monk.

25th : Nandana Rjarsi- a prince- life span of 2.5 million years of which 2.4 million years as a prince and 100000 years as a Jaina Monk with 11,80,645 continuous monthly fasts. Very intense desire to emancipate every soul to salvation. Thus acquired and assimilated Punya Karma resulting into Tirthankarhood.

26th : Angel - Went to 10th heaven. Previous to this he had been to different heavens nine times as angles and countless births in sub-humans, vegetation, water-bodies etc.

27th : Bhagwan Mahavira was born in 599 BC at Kshatriyakunda in Bihar - India.His father was King Siddartha and his mother Queen Trishala. His original name was Vardhamana, which means evergrowing.