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FAITH KNOWLEDGE AND CONDUCT
5--THE JNANAVARAŅIYA COVER The self-existing infinite knowledge of the soul must be covered over by some sort of a veil, otherwise it will manifest itself simultaneously in its entirety. The veil that covers it is termed jnūnāvaraņa (jnāna, knowledge and ūvarana, a cover), and signifies a cover on knowledge. But for the presence of this veil, the mind will not stand in need of the external stimulus to display its riches.
The covering on knowledge is substantial in nature, and is made of subtle invisible matter. It is not alike in respect of thickness in the case of all the souls. Some have only one sense, namely, touch; in their case the covering is too thick to admit of the activity of the remaining four senses. Some have touch and taste; these are lacking in respect of the other three senses, and so on and so forth.
In man there also appears, with the thinning of the covering on knowledge, a Central Organ of Thought (reflection). Some of the five-sensed animals—horses, monkeys, dogs and the like-too, have this Central Organ of reflection in a less refined form than man's. In the case of advanced saints the knowledge-obstructing cover becomes further attenuated. Clairvoyance, and, in more advanced cases, telepathy are then enjoyed by them. When the cover is completely destroyed, the Soul becomes omniscient, that is, simply all-perceiving and all-knowing!
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