Handbook of Jainology

SR No.: 001346
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bhuvanbhanusuri
Publisher: Divya Darshan Trust
Publication Year: 2006
Total Pages: 288
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Religion, & Philosophy
File Size: 15 MB

Page 270

225
A Hand Book of Jainology
ledge goes on increasing, the cover goes on getting destroyed gradually and then when the jiva reaches the 13th gunasthanak he attains Kevalinan and can see directly the entire universe.
! Why omniscience ? : On account of its knowledge, the soul is different from inert substances. As the cover over it goes on decreasing, its knowledge goes on increasing, and showing itself. Like a mirror that reflects everything the soul can know anything that can be known. If there is no cover at all it is natural that it can know all things. It is illogical to say that we can know only upto this extent, not more than this. Can we limit the flights of the mind ? So, a Kevaljnani knows everything directly.
Only he who possesses this kind of knowledge can expound sound doctrines and only he is the supreme spiritual wellwisher. After that even those who act according to his commands are well-wishers. For e.g. the great Ganadhars. For them Agamas are the Pramanas, source of true knowledge.
There are 5 Pramanas, 3 Avadhijnan etc. or Prathyaksha pramanas. Mathi and Shrutha are Parokshapramanas, but this belief is based on the point of view of the supreme good. At the practical or empirical level, knowledge obtained by the senses is called Prathayaksha (direct). This is empirical prathyaksha. Mathi and Shrutajnan include Prathyakshanuman, Upamanagam, Arthapathithi etc. Normally, controversialists in a scholarly assembly depend mainly on Prathyaksha and Anuman.
In the case of Anuman, on the basis of what is heard or seen, it is used as the cause and on that basis, a determination is made regarding the existence of some substance related to it. For e.g. When we see from a distance only towers and flags, we conclude that it is a temple. This is Anuman. Flags and towers are essentially connected with a temple. The Anuman has 5 Avayava vakyas (Predications) (1) The proposition stated at the commencement of a discussion is called Prathijnavdkyja. For e.g. "There is fire on the mountain". This is