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 228

Division of Knowledge
203
The present reduction of Bhagavats refers to Rājapraśniya for further development of this topic which in addition to the above diagram mentions two varieties of Avagraha and refers to Nandi for the further. The successive references to Rājapra. śniya and Nandi show on one side, that there was no difference between the two stages regarding further development, on the other side it puts one into doubt whether the first stage had developed to the extent of Nandi.
The following points are noteworthy in the above division:
(i) It mentions the term Abhinibodha in place of Mati, which got prominence in the later stages. Jinabhadra interprets Abhinibodha as the decisive knowledge bent towards the external object. This definition is more expressive of pratyaksamati.
The Tattvārtha gives Abhinibodha as one of the synonyms of Mati. Akalarka interpreted it as inference. But, in the karmic literature we do not find any mention of Abhinibodha. Jõānāvarañiya refers to Mati only in its first variety. Mati indicates the function of mind while abhinibodha, that of the senses. It is to be decided what was the actual idea expressed by the first type of knowledge.
(ii) The NandIsūtra divides Mati into Śruta-Niḥssta and Aśruta-Niḥssta and then subdivides Sruta-Niḥsrta into Avagraba etc. Bhagavatt leaves altogether the variety of Aśruta Nihssta.
(iii) The above varieties are confined to jñāna only. The question of Ajñāna and Darśana is not referred to.
The Prajñāpanā Sūtraz which is admitted as the Upānga of Bhagavati includes all the varieties and classifies knowledge asfollows :
1 Rājapraśntya Sūtra, 165. 2 Prajñāpana, 15 pada.