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Samanya Lakshana, also known as general definition or universal definition, is a concept in Indian philosophy and linguistics that refers to the defining characteristic shared by all members of a class or category. It represents the common quality or attribute that defines a particular class of objects or entities.

In Samanya Lakshana, the focus is on identifying the essential characteristic or property that distinguishes a category from others and encompasses all its members. This defining characteristic serves as a universal concept that applies to all instances of the class, allowing for generalization and categorization.

For example, in the category of "cow," the Samanya Lakshana would be "having a hump and providing milk." This defining characteristic applies to all cows and distinguishes them from other animals. Similarly, in the category of "triangle," the Samanya Lakshana would be "a three-sided polygon." This defining characteristic applies to all triangles, regardless of their size, shape, or orientation.

Samanya Lakshana plays a crucial role in language, logic, and conceptual understanding. It facilitates communication by providing a common basis for understanding and categorizing the world. Moreover, it serves as a foundational concept in logical reasoning and inference, allowing for the formulation of general principles and rules based on shared characteristics.

Overall, Samanya Lakshana represents the universal definition or common attribute that defines a category of objects or entities, facilitating classification, communication, and logical reasoning within Indian philosophy and linguistics.