Jaina Epistemology

SR No.: 006738
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Indra Chandra Shastri
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1990
Total Pages: 516
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

Page 222

Division of Knowledge
Niryukti or Tattvartha. Manikyanandin1 and Vädidevasüri2 again adopt the logical division and try to formulate the Agamic conceptions into their own style. The logic of Siddhasenas divides pramana into three types only. The Agamic divi. sion more or less, is subjective. The division of pratyakṣa and paroksa is instrumental in the Niryuktis and Tattvartha5; but, in the logical period it depends upon the clarity of apprehension. In the case of subdivision Umāsväti takes all the factors of subject, instrument, object and clarity" into account. Later on the subject is dropped altogether. The clarity is confined to the division of pratyaksa and paroksa only. The logicians take into account the two factors of instrument and objects only. Out of them the latter is not so powerful as the former. But, Siddhasena keeps in view the object only.10 Thus, the development of the Jaina division of knowledge passes through various phases. Sometimes, free from the external influence, then slightly mixed with it, then losing its originality into the latter, again establishing its originality and then constructing a parallel syetem of logical development.
Pandit Sukhlal has arranged these developments into seven stages11
(1) The first stage may be called purely Agamic or Karmasastriya. It divides knowledge into five types and subdivides each of them into various sub-types. One cannot trace any
1 Parikṣāmukha II. 1.
2 Pramananaya Tattvaloka II. 1.
3 Nyāyāvatāra 1.
4 Bhagavat 88.2.317.
5 Tattvartha Sutra, I. 9-12.
6 Parikṣāmukha II. 3-4; Pramāṇanaya Tattväloka II. 2-3
7 Tattvärtha Sutra I. 9-13.
8 Parikṣāmukha II. 5-12; III 2, 3, 5, 11, 14 & 99
9 Ibid,
10 Nyayavatara 2
11 Jñanabindu Int. p. 5.
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