________________
·
Pratyaksha (direct)
Paroksha (indirect)
Pratyaksha Jnän (direct knowledge)
Direct knowledge is that which is obtained by the soul without the help of external means. The Pratyaksha Jnän is of three kinds, namely Avadhi-jnän, Manah-Paryaya Jnän and Keval - jnän.
Paroksha-jnän (indirect knowledge)
Indirect knowledge is that which is obtained by the soul by means of such things as the five senses and the mind. Paroksha Jnän is classified into Mati-jnän and Shruta-jnän.
Thus, there are total five kinds of Pramäna: (1) Mati-jnän (2) Shruta-jnän (3) Avadhi-jnän (4) Manahparyäya jnän (5) Keval-jnän.
Pratyaksha Pramäna (Direct Knowledge)
The soul's knowledge of substance is pure. The soul's involvement is direct in obtaining this type of knowledge. It can be of 2 types.
Direct or Practical
Transcendental
Sämvyavahärik Pratyaksha Pramäna
Päramärthika Pratyaksha Pramäna
Direct Knowledge in a conventional sense (Sämvyavahärik Pratyaksha Pramäna)
The knowledge obtained by the soul through sensory (Mati-jnän) knowledge and articulate (Shruta-jnän) knowledge, is called indirect knowledge for two reasons: 1) There is a need for the senses' and mind's involvement and 2) The knowledge is impure because the knowledge obtained from senses and mind usually is for others and not for the soul. However, when the soul obtains right faith (Samyag Darshan), at that time, the sensory knowledge and articulate knowledge are used for the knowledge of the self. Therefore, this is called direct knowledge in a conventional sense. Here the knowledge is partially true (Ekadesha Spasta).
Transcendental knowledge (Päramärthika Pratyaksha Pramäna)
When the soul obtains direct knowledge without the help of any external means (like senses and mind), then it is called transcendental knowledge.
Partial knowledge (Vikal Päramärthika) - when the soul obtains direct knowledge of a formed substance, it is called partial knowledge.
Clairvoyance (Avadhi-jnän)
Clairvoyance refers to knowledge of things that are out of the range of senses. Here the soul can perceive knowledge of a substance with a form (Rupi Padärtha), which exists at great distance or time. In celestial and infernal souls, this knowledge is present since birth. In human and animal, this knowledge can be obtained as a result of spiritual endeavors.
Telepathy (Manah-paryaya-jnän)
In this type of knowledge, the human soul has a capacity to comprehend others' thoughts. Great saints who have achieved a high level of spiritual progress can possess this knowledge.
Omni perception and Omniscience (Sakal Päramärthika)
Omniscient Bhagawan having Keval-jnän (Sakal Päramärthika) knows about all substances in the universe, and all of their modes of past, present and future at a given time. When a soul in his quest for purity destroys all four destructive (Ghäti) karma at the 13th stage of the spiritual ladder, it obtains this knowledge. This is perfect knowledge and stays with the soul forever.
222
About 'Keval-jnän', Dr. Rädhäkrishnan writes: "It is omniscience unlimited by space, time or object. To the perfect consciousness, the whole reality is obvious. This knowledge, which is independent of the
JAIN PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE - 2
