What are the types of Lakshana, Pramana, Naya and Nikshepa?

Here is a simple, Jain-anchored summary of the terms you asked about.

• Lakshana

- In Jain thought, lakshana means the signs, marks or characteristics used to describe and recognize a thing. The exact set of lakshana is not fixed across all texts; it depends on the context (dravya, paryaya, etc.) and on the purpose of the discussion. Different Jain sutras explain lakshana for different subjects, so you’ll find variations by text and topic rather than a single universal list.

• Pramana (valid means of knowledge)

- Pratyaksa (direct perception) - Anumana (inference) - Agama (scriptural testimony) - Upamana (analogy/comparison) - In Jainism, these are treated as reliable ways to know or establish truths, with scriptural testimony (agama) and proper inference often discussed together with direct perception and analogy as ways to gain valid knowledge.

• Naya (partial viewpoints)

- Naigama Naya - Sangraha Naya - Vyavahara Naya - Rijusutra Naya - Shabda Naya - Samabhirudha Naya - Evambhuta Naya - These seven nayas are different angles from which reality can be understood. Each gives a legitimate aspect of truth, and together they help avoid one-sided conclusions. The first three are usually treated as dravyarthika (substance-based) views, while the last four are paryayarthika (modality-based) views.

• Nikshepa (classification/placement)

- Nama Nikshepa (Name) - Sthapana Nikshepa (Establishment/representation) - Dravya Nikshepa (Substance) - Bhava Nikshepa (State/Modality) - Nikshepa explains how terms or objects can be categorized or interpreted in different ways (by name, by representation, by substance, or by present state). It is used to resolve ambiguities in meaning and is often discussed in relation to Syādvāda and Nayavāda.

You can read more on these topics in a Jain-focused setting here:

• Naya and Nikshepa overview

If you’d like, I can point you to exact JainKnowledge pages that cover each term in more detail.