Understanding Indian Pluralism: Many Sidedness, Extreme Tolerance and the Parable of the Elephant and the Blind Men

One day an elephant arrived in the village of the blind. They decided to identify it; with the only sense they could trust — touch. Upon holding its trunk one man declared it to be a thick snake, another one who touched its ears thought it was a fan and the one who embraced its legs convinced himself — it was a tree trunk. Others similarly described the elephant to be spear, a rope and a wall by touching its tusk, its tail and its side.

This parable is frequently used to highlight the concept of Anekantavad — sanskrit word for “many-sidedness”.

Often construed as “intellectual pluralism” and “non-absolutism” — and attributed to the Jain philosopher Mahavir, the doctrine has since been integrated in the Buddhist and Hindu religious teachings.

At its core it reiterates that “No one single, specific statement can describe the nature of existence and the absolute truth. All statements about absolute truth are in fact incomplete, and at best a partial truth”

Coupled with the principle of non-violence, Anekantavad, offers the possibility of “extreme tolerance” to the society at large, by allowing each individual to be provided the freedom to uphold and express “without prejudice and punishment” his or her “own” version of truth — as they experience with their own limited sense. It goes a step further by reminding them that their own version of the truth, may in fact, be untrue.

Anekantavad is one example of the impenetrable complexity of the Hindu Dharma. In legitimising the millions of interpretation, understandings, versions, practices and customs, it also exposes the very futility of such attempts and exercises.