Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s13.3

c5.s13.3

*Nyāyakusumāñjali* of Udayana is a text on debate about the existence of God. At the outset of his brilliant exposition, Udayana proceeds with the basic premise that the existence of a God in some form or the other is accepted in all philosophical schools and faiths. Then what is the need for a debate? Udayana says that *vāda* on God after considerations of the doubts and counter-arguments will lead to *manana* (contemplation) and this *manana* will become an *upāsanā* (worship of God) for me.⁶⁹