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 43

Epistemology of Jainas
ledge. Jinabhadra's Viseṣaṇavati deals with the problem of Kevalajñāna and Kevala darśana at a considerable length.
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Yaśovijaya, though last in the chronological order, occupies the front position for his contribution. He has written numerous books on different topics. His versatile genious has greatly enhanced the stand of Jaina philosophy in the field of logic as well as ethics. His small treatise Jñanabindu sums up the epistemology of the Agama-school while Tarkabhāṣā does so in the field of Tarka-school.
Bhagavati aradhana by Śivarya (5th cent. A. D.) also deals with the topic in its chapter on Jñanavaraṇīya. Harivamsapuraṇa and Adipurana discuss it in their introductions. Lokaprakāśa also is a valuable contribution in this respect. Gommaṭasara and Dravyasaṁgraha of Nemicandra Siddhantacakravarti also play an important role. The latter has a commentary by Brahmadeva which gives a logical explanation to the views, appearing contradictory to one another.
The above statement is not a comprehensive list of the works related with the topic. Many works of minor importance have been left out. Similarly the recent works in English or modern languages are not taken into consideration. Still we have mentioned the main landmarks in the history of Āgama-school.
The Karma literature: The literature on the theory of karman also throws a considerable light on the problem of knowledge. The problem of ignorance, perversion and many other topics cannot be clarified without resorting to the discussion of karmans.
The tradition of karma-literature begins with the Karmapravāda, the eighth Pürva. It was entirely devoted to the theory of karman. In addition to the above a part of the Agrāyaṇlya and the Jñanapravāda Purvas also was devoted to the discussion of karma-theory. It is believed that the following works which discuss the theory of karman are based on the fourth Prabhṛta of fifth vastu of the Agrāyaṇī Pūrva :