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Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s14: Vāda in Texts

Vāda in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c5.s14

Language
English

Vāda in Texts

c5.s14.1

While the texts like *Nyāyasūtra* of Gautama and *Brahmasūtra* of Bādarāyaṇa take into account the rival systems for critiquing, the authors of *bhāṣyas* on these *sūtra* texts specially entered into debates with their opponents. *Brahmasūtra* itself is a *vāda* text, almost all the aphorisms are structured in giving a reasoning and argument to refute the prima facie view. The use of *apādāna kāraka* (ablative case) in many of the aphorisms (like *tattu samanvayāt*) indicates a proban and argumentative design.

c5.s14.2

In fact, during the past two millennia, all adherents of the orthodox or the non-orthodox Indian philosophical systems confronted their rival systems, attacked them by sharp weapon of arguments and reasoned against them in their texts. On the other hand some authors specially wrote texts in refutation. *Tattvopaplavasimha* of Jayarāśibhaṭṭa (eighth century CE) is a marvellous exercise in *vitaṇḍā* (cavil). *Khaṇḍanakhaṇḍakhādya* of Śrīharṣa (twelfth century CE) also employs all the tactics of *vitaṇḍā*. Śrīharṣa demolishes all the theories with a view to uphold Advaita Vedānta. Some of the texts of Jaina tradition of *khaṇḍana* have been discussed by Muni Sukhalalji Sanghavi,⁷⁰ viz. *Syādvādaratnākara* of Devasūrin and *Jalpakalpalatā* of Ratnamaṇḍana.

c5.s14.3

There are a few texts in other languages on the theory of *vāda*. Zalāluddin Dāvānī (CE 1426–1502) wrote a text on the theory of debate entitled *Akhlaque Nāsirī*. It is basically a didactic work, but also incorporates general instruction on how to behave during a debate. *Dabistān-e-* *mazahib*,⁷¹ a Persian text by unknown author, presents debates and dialogues between various faiths. It was written in seventeenth century under the patronage of Akbar. It begins with an account of Zoroastrianism and describes various faiths like *Sarvadarśanasaṁgraha*. It has 12 *tālīms* on various faiths including those of Parsis, Christians, Hindus, Muslims and Sufis. It also describes living practices and discussion in the court of Akbar.⁷²

c5.s14.4

*Mubahisa-e-Hudusa-e-duniya* (Debate on the Antiquity of Creation) comprises debate between Maulawi Sanaullah of Amritsar and Vazirchandra, editor of *Arya Musafir* magazine published from Haridwar in the form of question and answers presenting Islamic perspective.⁷³

Linked texts (6)