Every object in the universe has many characterstics and our capability to understand them is limited. So, how do we arrive at a proper understanding ?

The doctrine of Anekanta presents a technique for understanding and analysing each situation easily. Anekanta provides us an ideal mechanism of explaination of smooth relationships between individuals, societies and nations.

The word Anekanta consists of two words: "Aneka" and "Anta". Aneka" menas many and "Anta" signifies different attributes. The whole word "Anekanta" means that a substance has manifold different attributes. Appreciation of the manifold attributes of a substance is Anekant. For example, a person is a father, son, uncle, brother etc. at the same moment. Thus he has many forms. This proves that the Realitv is manifold in nature.

Syadvada consists of two words: "Syad" and "Vada". The "Syad" means "in some relation" and "Vada" Means 'description". Thus, the whole word Syadvada means a process of relative description. Syadvada deals with manifold aspects of truth. With regard to the description of the attribute, it deals with a particular aspect, but does not deny the existence of other aspects. For example, a person in relation to his son is only the father; Whereas the same person in relation to his father is only the son. Therefore the same person is father and son at the same time from both points of view. The concept of Syadvada builds up our patience to appreciate different view points of Reality. Thus this theory of relativity (Syadada) helps us to know the absolute truth.

The basic difference between them is that Anekanta is concerned with the different but opposite aspects whereas Syadvada indicates the manner in which these aspects are expressed. In short, when Anekanta is translated in to words, it is called Syadvada.

Oh yes, a story of "Five Blind Men and Elephant" is a famous story to explain this theory. Once an elephant came to a small town. Five blind men lived in that town. They decided to touch and feel the elephant. each of them touched different parts of the body of the elephant said that the elephant was like a wall. The other blind man touched its leg said that elephant was like a pillar. The third touched the trunk and said the elephant was like branch of the tree. The fourth touched the tail and said the elephant was like a rope. The  fifth touched the ear of the elephant. He said that the elephant was like a winnowing fan. Each one of them was sure and adamant about his own opinion and called the other as false. They began to quarrel. A wise man happened to come near them. They told him about their individual views. The wise man told them there was no cause for quarrel. Every one of them was correct but only partly. If all of you properly synthesise individual experiences, you will get an exact idea of what an elephant looks like.

      Friend, in story the synthesis of all their individual experiences of the elephant is "Anekanta" and expression of each point of view is "Syadvada". The moral of the story is that each one of us sees things from one's own point of view. We therefore get a view that is partially correct. Hence, we should try to understand others' viewpoints. This will enable us to get a proper and complete perspective of events and situations. Religion, Truth and Reality are like an elephant. We should look at them from variety of angles of vision. This is the philosophy of Anekanta and Syadvada. Jainism is the only religion to have such a unique concept about the truth.