Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Jainism classifies the seven Nayas (viewpoints) into two main categories:
1. Artha-Naya (Substantial/Meaning-based): These deal with the object's nature and include Naigama, Sangraha, Vyavahara, and Rijusutra.
2. Shabda-Naya (Verbal/Language-based): These deal with the meaning of words and how they represent reality. There are three Shabdanayas.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The three verbal standpoints (Shabda-nayas) are as follows:
1. Shabdanaya (A): This is the primary verbal standpoint. It focuses on the grammatical correct use of words. It claims that synonyms like "Sakra," "Indra," and "Purandara" refer to the same object, regardless of their different etymological roots, as long as the tense and gender are consistent.
2. Sambhirudanaya (C): This is the "conventional" verbal standpoint. It goes a step deeper than Shabdanaya and argues that because different synonyms have different etymological origins, they must represent different aspects or functions of the object. For example, "Indra" (the powerful one) is different from "Sakra" (the capable one).
3. Evambhutanaya (E): This is the "specific/actual" verbal standpoint. It is the most refined. It claims a word should only be used when the object is actually performing the action suggested by its name. For example, a person should only be called "the King" while he is actually ruling or sitting on the throne.
4. Why B and D are excluded:
- Sangrahanaya (B) and Vyavaharanaya (D) are Artha-nayas. They deal with the collective vs. distributive nature of things, not the linguistic structure of synonyms.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The three verbal standpoints are Shabda, Sambhiruda, and Evambhuta.