About The Book

Kathalaksanam is a work dealing with the regulation of debates and various forms of debate like vada (discussion-debate for conviction of truth), jalpa (debate for victory and fame) and vitanda (debate for refutation). The work judiciously expounds the purpose, manner and style of these types of debate.

About the Author Dr. P. Vinay (respectfully addressed as Vinayacharya as per the tradition), M.A, Vidwat (Dvaita Vedanta), Ph.D, D.litt., is an authority on the Dvaita School of Vedanta of Sri Madhvacarya. He has authored many original works in Sanskrit and English on Vedanta and other philosophical subjects. He is currently the assistant professor in the Department of Vedanta in Karnataka Samskrit University (KSU), Bangalore, India. Dr. Vinayacharya is a streak of the intellectual lightning of the modern Indian philosophy scenario. Foreword Sri Madhvacarys (1200-1279 AD) as the most erudite philosopher the world has ever seen He was the master of all branches of knowledge, in the real sense of the term. That is why he is aptly referred to as "Purnaprajna, the all knower; in fact it was his ascetic name also: He has written many works of which 37 have come down to us as Sarvamula Granthas (group of 32 letters). These works have distilled knowledge of the absolute truth for the benefit of mankind. His works can be referred to in English as 'Comprehensive Test of Fundamental Maxima Another distinguishing aspect of Sri Madhvacarys is that he was endowed with all the essential thirty two physical characteristics of excellence defined in the astras, that would entitle him to be revered as "Jagadguru" or "Visvaguru (Universal Teacher).

His philosophical and literary works are sharp, short, succinct, sweet and precise to the point, with profound import and impact. Their meaning and implications are erudite, educative and enthralling Sri Madhvacarya's life story reads as a series of marvelous events. In physical terms. he was perhaps the mightiest person who ever lived in the Kali age. He was the embodiment of everything that is good, great, grand and graceful The mankind is fortunate to have had him as a beacon to look forward for leading a virtuous and blissful life. He was like a 'Chintamani”, a crystal that grants anything one would wish for.

What is of great significance is that during the last eight centuries. Sri Madhvacarya's contribution for the upliftment of society has been primordial. It is unfortunate that this has not received proper recognition in the present spiritual and literary circles. Vaisnva philosophy or Dvaita philosophy or Tattvavada propounded by Sri Madhvacarya is the most authoritative doctrine that assures complete upliftment of living beings. There is no doubt that understanding and following his teachings would ensure one's all-round success in life. After Vedavyasa. Sri Madhvacarya's personality comes closest to an outstanding and perfect preacher. That is why he is aptly referred to as 'Abhinava Vedavyasa (protege of Vedavyasa).

Sumadhvavijaya of Narayanapanditacarya, Sampradayapaddhati of Hrsikesatirtha, works by his disciples give a fairly exhaustive information regarding life, works, disciples and teachings.

As evident from his works, the biographies and other sources of information available on him, Sri Madhva was a multi-faceted, unique personality. He was a scholar, a philosopher, a poet, a vedic seer, a teacher, a preacher, an orator, a prolific writer, a researcher, a debater, a mystic, a saint, a linguist, an ascetic, a musician, an archaeologist, a logician, a geologist, a Mountainair all rolled in one He excelled in each of these fields. He was also an able administrator, super organiser and social reformer of the highest order. He was the perfect example of an all-rounder in the truest sense of the term. His physique was so perfect that experts in Samudrikasastra could notice all the thirty two characteristics of an ideal personality in it. A huge rock weighing over 50 tonnes lifted by him by one hand and placed across the river Bhadra stands as an evidence of his unparalleled physical might.

His works are marked by the simplicity of style, precision of thought, brevity of expression. unambiguity of presentation and clarity in narration. Profuse quotations from the several ancient works is another striking salient feature of his writings.

The Complete Works of Sri Madhvacarya series began last year (2021) with the "Tattva Sankhyanam the classification of reals". The work heralded a new era in academics, as am compelled to speak the truth inspite of my humility, with a first-ever comprehensive and critical commentary by me in English. It was welcomed by scholars, academicians and budding philosophers with critical appreciation and awe as well. The presentation of the work of Sri Madhvacarya was so detailed with comprehensive introduction, recensions, original verses, literal translation, detailed commentary in English, scholarly notes, appendices and all research tools on the work. The volume was presented to the world as the complete and all-inclusive work. In continuation of the series, the volume-2 of the Complete Works of Sri Madhvacarya "Tattva Viveka - the Discretion of Reals" followed quite quickly as if by divine will. The rigour, comprehensiveness and English presentation of this volume made the readers read it parallel with the earlier work- "Tattva Sankhyanam" The twin works of "Tattva" is rightly the precursors to all the further works of "Tattva-Vada" philosophy of Sri Madhvacarya.

Preface The third volume of the series is presented herewith. It is the "Kathalaksana - the method of debate". It is one among the ten independent treatises (prakarana-granthas) by Sri Madhvacarya. It is a work dealing with the regulation of debates and various forms of debate like vada (discussion-debate for conviction of truth), jalpa (debate for victory and fame) and vitanda (debate for refutation). The work judiciously expounds the purpose, manner and style of these types of debate. The work in neither too short nor too long, but covers topics related to method of debate. There are many special concepts that are detailed in the work like the scriptures being the foundational evidence (upajivya-pramana), the factor of eligibility of a questioner, the valid scriptures, the role of unsublated intuition, logical fallacies and others The work is a singular standard work on the method of philosophical debate.

The present work follows the model of the previous volumes in the series (the further volumes would also follow this comprehensive model). An Introduction covers the major concepts of the katha-laksana treatise with the niceties of the work. The original text with some of the differences in the recension (patha-bheda) is given in the beginning for those would like to read the original text in one go. The Roman diacritical version of he same is also given for those who are unfamiliar with the devanagari script. An exact mirror-translation is given for all the verses of the text followed by detailed English commentary The classical Sanskrit Commentaries, particularly of Sri Jayatirtha, is consulted together with the glosses. However, free-running elucidation and insightful explanations have been written in the English Commentary Footnotes with reference have been given to the English Commentary wherever necessary. This translation and English Commentary is most suitable for a general reader as well as to an advanced student of philosophy. It is followed with the section of End-notes which his profusely covering the wide range of scholastic arguments and reference. It is most suited for the scholarly academia and hoped to kindle research and healthy discussions. The appendix- section of the book, as in the previous volumes, is categorized with many materials in conceptual sections. The references to vada, jalpa, vitanda and others of this work, in other works of Sri Madhvacarya like the brhadaranyaka-bhasya, anuvyakhyana and others are presented referentially. References from other works are also given like that of Nyaya and Vedanta school too. The quoted works in the English commentary and others are also compiled subject-wise A section of technical terms (Glossary) with meaning in English is also given. The Note on Recension has the dedicated discussion on the recensions to the text in an unprejudiced manner. It is presented point-wise to each of the differences in recensions. The available editions of the original text are critically reviewed The Note on Glosses is a coverage of the contribution of the sub-commentaries (glosses) conceptually to the subject-matter of the Sarvamula-grantha. The original and scholastic contribution of the later writers are presented and reviewed in this part The Bibliography covers the texts consulted with detail. The Index covers keywords with page-references.

Introduction Philosophy is an endeavor to realize the truth, the truth which is unrevealed by any mundane ways of investigation. The endeavor of philosophy dawns when man realizes that the world around him obviously seems to be regulated and under the control of a intelligent force Such an awareness or realization cannot be shunned by a tenacious attribute to only look at phenomenon rather than the intelligent force working within The advancement to philosophical introspection begins with this realization that worldly workings are not sufficient enough the explain the "Intelligent Design" of the universe. Such an "Intelligent Design" is not just concerning the external observable world Macrocosm, but also about the Microcosm within which is undeniable regulated with astounding balance. Sage yajnavalkya remarks:-

"That which is on the earth, within it, which the earth knows not, whose body is the earth which regulates the earth being immanent in it, that is the indweller in the soul which is eternal.”

The quest of such a philosopher pondering upon the Intelligent Force within nature is continuous with amazement and makes him silent in wonder and all admiration towards it. The universe of insentient matter cannot possible work all by itself by unbelievable Coincidence of precision and regulation to manifest as the beautiful nature. A "master of mature" who is a sentient perfect force propels the insentient matter possibly, to bring Bout the symphony of order and pattern. The idea obviously culminates to the well- own or generally held definition of "God" as omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.

**Contents and Sample Pages**