Here is a simple, authentic Jain explanation of the four concepts you mentioned.

• Lakshana (Lakṣaṇa)

- What it means: the true, distinguishing characteristic of a substance. It is what truly marks or identifies that thing. - Why it matters: Jain thinkers seek Lakshana that belongs to the substance and not to other things, so we can recognize it correctly. - Example: for a soul, a key Lakshana is its capacity to know; other kinds of matter have different Lakshanas.

• Pramana (प्रमाण)

- What it means: valid means or instruments of knowledge that reveal the true nature of a thing. - Core idea: knowledge is possible through reliable methods; in Jainism there is a system of Pramanas that helps us know things correctly. - Two main Pramanas used in Jain thought are direct perception and indirect knowledge, with distinctions that include higher forms like clairvoyance and kevala jnana in advanced practice. You can read more about Jain Pramana and how it relates to Naya and Nikshepa in Jain discussions.

• Naya (नया)

- What it means: a stand-point or partial viewpoint from which a thing is known. - Key idea: because things have many aspects, each Naya presents a valid, partial truth from its own angle. No single Naya is the whole truth, but all together give a fuller understanding. - Jain texts describe several Nayās (like Shabda-Naya, Artha-Naya, Paryaya-Arthak-Naya, Vyavahara, etc.), and they are designed to be compatible rather than contradictory when properly understood. For more on what Naya means in Jain logic, see discussions on Naya and its proper use.

• Nikshepa (Nīkṣepā)

- What it means: the fourfold way of “placing” or expressing the meaning of a term; how language or signs point to the object. - The four common Nikshepa are: - Nama Nikshepa: by name alone (the label or name of something) - Sthapana Nikshepa: by representation or image (what stands for the thing) - Dravya Nikshepa: by its substance or potential (the thing as it will or can be) - Bhava Nikshepa: by its present state or actuality (the thing as it is now) - This framework helps interpret terms accurately in Jain texts and debates. See the explanation of Nikshepa in Jain discussions.

Notes on tradition differences

• In Jainism, Pramana and Naya are used together to understand objects from all angles, and Nikshepa helps resolve linguistic and interpretive nuances. The core idea is that many viewpoints (Naya) can be valid, and language (Nikshepa) must be understood correctly to reach the right essence. Different Jain schools (like Digambara and Śvetāmbara) generally agree on the function of these concepts, though there may be variations in terminology or emphasis in some texts.

If you’d like, I can point you to specific Jain learnings or sutras that discuss these four ideas in more detail.