Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c10.s15.6

c10.s15.6

In the *kathā* (narrative) literature, a story is quite often structured through *vāda*. This is best exemplified by *Pañcatantra*, where the questions of polity and ethics are raised. The *pūrva-pakṣa* and *siddhānta-pakṣa* are presented and there is a subsidiary tale, as an illustration for them. In fact, almost every tale in *Pañcatantra* imbibes a *pañcāvayava-vākya* (the five-member syllogism). There is a statement, the reason for it is explained, a story is narrated as an illustration, then application of the same in the present context is brought out, followed by a statement of conclusion. *Śukasārikā* — a collection of tales told by a parrot to a lady wanting to visit a paramour — is another example of *vāda*.