Vada in Theory and Practice: Studies in Debates, Dialogues and Discussions in Indian Intellectual Discourses c6.s5.t16.5

c6.s5.t16.5

The methodology that was adopted during the course of a *vāda* is also indicated in *Śaṅkaradigvijaya*. The two wings in the *vāda* (*pakṣa* and *vipakṣa*) are to be represented by the *vādin* and the *prativādin*. Then each of the two should declare his *pratijñā* (thesis) and the *pramāṇa*s (means of knowledge) desired to be adopted by him, they should also decide the terms of reference — the binding condition, etc.¹³⁹ In case of the debate between Śaṅkarācārya and Maṇḍana Miśra, the former agreed that if he is routed in the debate he will give up his saffron cloth and will embrace *gṛhasthāśrama* (life of a householder); whereas Maṇḍana Miśra declared that in case of his defeat, he will give up *gṛhasthāśrama*. However the law that a *gṛhastha* cannot be ordained for the *saṁnyāsa* without the permission of his wife was not to be overruled.