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 287

262
Epistemology of Jainas
Its conception, therefore, varies according to the views about Darśana to which we have devoted an independent chapter.
According to the general view Darśana is the first cognitive stage appearing after contiguity of the senses and the object. Pūjyapāda,1 Akalarka2 and all scholars of the logical school have accepted this view. According to them Avagraha is not mere awareness. This stage is covered by Darśana. Avagraha goes one step further towards apprehension of the particularity.
According to Vírasena3 darśana is the first inclination of the soul, for knowing. It does not refer to any external object. It puts the senses at work. According to this view avagraha means the stage of contiguity, which is closely followed by the first awareness of the external existence, known as arthāvagraha. The process of particularization begins with Ibā.
According to the first view Avagraha is defined as the cognition of object, following the general awareness of mere existence appearing at the contiguity of the sepse-organ with the object. It holds that in the stage of Avagraha one is able to make a distinction whether the object is a sound or colour. This view is open to certain difficulties. The Avagraha; as will be seen later on, is divided in two stages of Vyañjanāva. graha and Arthāvagraha. The first stage is the contact of the senses with the object. This stage cannot be explained in any other way; as its four-fold division, i. e. the exclusion of visual sense and mind from its sphere, points out clearly that it is nothing but the contact between the two. It would mean that the stage of Avagraha begins with the contact and Darśana comes after it; which is against the established order.
Secondly, the particularization is always preceded by a doubt, having an equal balance on two or more, alternatives, then there is the stage of leaning towards one side followed by 1. Sarvärthasiddhi Sätra, I. 15 2. Tattvārtharäjavārtika Sütra, I. 15 3. Dhavalā p. 354