Reality English Translation of Sarvarthasiddhi

SR No.: 001197
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: S A Jain
Publisher: Jwalamalini Trust Chennai
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 334
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, Tattvartha Sutra, Tattvartha Sutra, & Tattvarth
File Size: 20 MB

Page 51

THE FIVE SENSES AND THE MIND
of the mind? These sense-organs perceive objects within a limited range, and they last for a long time. But the mind is not like these. Though the mind is also the sign (lingam) of the soul, it does neither cognize objects within a limited sphere nor remain for long. (That is mental attitude changes quickly.) That is described as an internal sense. In investigating good and evil and in remembrance etc., the mind is not dependent on the senses. Nor is the mind seen outwardly like the eyes etc. So it is called the internal sense.
What for is 'that' used? That' is used for denoting sensory knowledge. Now sensory knowledge has just been mentioned. It is argued that a rule or an exception refers to what has just been described. So this sutra would refer to sensory knowledge only even without the word 'that'. The answer is 'that' is intended to refer to the following sutra as well as to the previous one. That, which is referred to by the synonyms of sensory knowledge, is caused by the senses and the mind. And the same is of four stages, namely apprehension (mere awareness of an object)1, speculation, judgment and retention. Otherwise, the synonyms such as sensory cognition would apply to the first kind of knowledge. That, which is caused by the senses and the mind, would refer to scriptural knowledge. And that is of four stages such as apprehension and so on. Thus it would lead to an undesirable conclusion.
The cause of sensory knowledge has been understood. divisions or stages are mentioned in the next sutra. अवग्रहे हावायधारणाः
23
Its
॥ १५ ॥
(15)
Avagrahchavayadhāraṇāḥ
15. (The four divisions of sensory knowledge are) apprehension (sensation), speculation, perceptual judgment and retention.
The first awareness of an object on the contact of the sense1 Avagraha is also rendered into English by the term 'perception'. But 'perception' is the word generally used for darśana. Hence 'apprehension' is used for avagraha, which is mere awareness of an object at the first glance without understanding the details. It may also be rendered as 'sensation', which I think, is the most appropriate term to convey the exact meaning of the word avagraha