First Steps to Jainism Part 1

Author(s): Sancheti Asso Lal, Manakmal Bhandari
Publisher: Sancheti Trust Jodhpur

Page 46

32 First Steps to Jainism
as the soul's essential quality is consciousness. However, as soon as the soul acquires Right Vision by any of the two processes mentioned earlier the knowledge becomes Right Knowledge. Alternatively, it can be said that with the separation of the soul from bondage of karma matter (obstructing Right Knowledge), partially or fully it manifests itself.
16. Right Knowledge is broadly divided into five categories depending upon the progressive development of the soul or increasing manifestation of its power in respect of knowledge or consciousness. These are (i) Sensory. (mati) (ii) Study (Sruta) (iii) Clairvoyance (Avadhi) (iv) Telepathy (Man Prayaya) and (v) Omniscience (Kewalya).
17. The progress of the soul to realize these powers is possible by separating the shadow cast by the karmas on the soul, just as a mirror, which is covered with dust, starts shining and giving clear image when the dust is removed.
18. These five varieties are divided into two groups viz. director indirect or Pratyaksha and Paroksha respectively. The first two i.e. sensory (mati) and study (sruta) are indirect as these are acquired through the medium of senses or mind, while the remaining three are considered direct, as these are acquired by soul directly without any intermediary.
19. Though it must have become obvious the distinction between nonknowledge-agyan, false knowledge-mithya gyan and Right Knowledgesamyag gyan may be clarified by the example of a pitch dark room, a room with coloured light and one with natural bright light. The dark room is like agyan where nothing can be known. In the coloured room everything appears in false colour different from what it is, and therefore, is like false knowledge. However, the room with natural bright light shows things in their true form as they are and therefore, is like Right Knowledge.
20. Now we take up the discussion of five varieties of knowledge one by one.