Among the following, which is correct in the context of Sabda Pramana?

AFor Samkhya, a word signifies a universal

BFor Jainas, a word signifies a particular

CFor old Nyaya, a word symbolizes a universal only

DFor Vedantins, a word primarily means the class character of individuals ✓ Correct

Correct answer: (D) For Vedantins, a word primarily means the class character of individuals

Explanation

For the Vedantins a word primarily denotes the class character, that is the universal, of individuals.

The theory of word meaning asks whether a word points to the individual, the form, or the universal.

Vedanta holds that the primary import of a word is the shared class nature borne by particulars.

The individual is grasped only secondarily, through that class character.

So a word's chief function is to signify the jati (universal) common to many things.

This priority of the universal is the Vedantic account of sabda (verbal meaning).

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