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This is a very important means of acquiring knowledge especially when it is the word of the Teacher (Tirthankara). Even in ordinary matters every one bas to depend so much on Floatia. Vyavahāra will be impossible without it. As regards the question of spiritual advancement, word-knowledge is the only and the most reliable means because the Teacher (Tirthạnkara ) is without the least taint of 'egoism or desire..
Shabda iş said to be produced by Pudgala (164: 9555:) This definition "refutes the views of the Mimānsakas and Yogikas. According to the former it is eternal, but according to our definition it being a production is not eternal. According to the latter it is a Guna, but according to us it is à Dravya produced by Pudgala."
Shabda is of two kinds : Laukika ( worldly ) and Shāstriya ( Scriptural ). The former is the testimony of reliable and authoritative persons; the latter, the testimony of the High Souls who have realised the truth and therefore whose words are clothed with even greater authority.
Saptabhangi. ... So far we have examined the proposed means of acquir: ing true knowledge. We now naturally come to the all-important question of what that knowledge consists in.''
We have seen knowledge to be of two kinds : (1) Kevala knowledge and (2) non-kovala knowledge. The first kind has two effects. Its immediateconsequence is the removal of ignorance, while its indirect consequence is supreme happiness and equanimity. The Keval Jnāna is attained by Kevalis only: Men in the common run possess only ordinary know; ledge. It enables its possessor to discriminate between what is right and what is wrong. With its aid men select the former and reject the latter, because the informatie te ondesirable and the latter is undesirablo.
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