Comparative Study of Indian Science

Author(s): Harisatya Bhattacharya
Publisher: C S Mallinath

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4. Samvyavaharika Pratyaksha
. Pramana. The Samvyavaharika Pratyaksha Pramana or the ordinary direct cognition is stated by the Jaina psychologists to be developed through four psychical processes viz.. 1. Avagraha or Grasp. 2. Iha or Attention. 3. Avaya or Determination and 4. Dharana or Retention. These may be described as follows.
1. Avagraha : When an object acts upon our mind, the very first form of consciousness that arises is that Something is existing outside our mind. What follows is that we determine that that Something is of such and such a class viz., a Man or a Beast etc. This second stage is the stage of Avagraha. 2. Iha : After a thing is Grasped, the next psychosis is lha or Attention. It consists in--" a desire to determine the particular aspects of a thing Grasped." 3. Avaya : This is the result of Attention consisting in—"a determination of the particular aspects attended to." 4. Dharana : The fourth or last stage in Perception is Retention. “Dharana is that (Avaya or Determination) attaining a firm state."
Much credit is undoubtedly due to the Jaina psychologists for pointing out that Perception, although to all intents and purposes a simple psychosis is a complex process when psychologically analysed. The