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The General Conception of Knowledge
ding the process of that function are not the same in these systems. The Nyāya is a firm believer of the theory of contact. The Jainas do not regard it essential. Regarding the object also the Nyāya differs from the Jaina. It contends that knowledge cannot illumine itself. Even an expert dancer cannot climb over his own shoulders. The first cognition is related with the external object only. If one desires to know that cognition also, the second cognition is needed, which has the first cognition as its object. Further, a third is required if the second one is to be apprehended; and this process goes on till the cogniser is satisfied and gives up further desire or effort.
The Sankhya maintains that the soul is intelligent by nature. But, it is entirely passive;1 all activity is restricted to praksti. In the function of knowledge also the soul does not play any active part. All the business is done by buddhi” which is an evolute of praksti (marter) and therefore, non intelligent (jada) But, it is intellicized 4 through the reflection of purusa. This intellicized buddhi, according to Sankhya, is the reals cognizer. Regarding the function of knowledge, the Sānkhya does not believe in illumination. It proposes the theory of refle. ction (pratibimbavāda). The object is reflected into buddhi and that reflection is enlightened by the reflection of purusa into buddhi.? Thus, buddhi is a double reflector. 8 The same buddhi modified according to the reflection of the object is known as jñāna. So, knowledge means, to catch reflection of
I Sankhya kārikā 19-20; Yogadarśana, II. 20 2. Sänkhyatattvakaumudi K. 5 3. Ibid. 4 Sankhyakārikā 20 5 Sānkhyatattvakaumudy K. 5 6. Yogasūtratattvavaiśāradi. I. 6 7. Yogavārtika p. 22; Outlines Ind. Phil. p. 284 8. Ibid. 9. Sānkhyatattvakaumudi K. 5
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| SR No. | 006738 |
| Book Title | Jaina Epistemology |
| 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 |