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A Quantitative...... Perception
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obstruction whatsover (space, time and others). Attributes of all substances are perceived simultaneously. But the past is perceived as in past, future is perceived as in future and present is perceived as in present.
In this state the soul is absolutely free from matter i.e. karmas. However, an ordinary mundane soul does not possess this knowledge because of its association with the knowledge-obscuring karmas. Jainas have recognised five subtypes of knowledge-obscuring Karmas each one of which obstructs one kind of knowledge. These five sub-types of karmas and the corresponding classes of knowledge are now described as follows :
(i) Mati Jñāna ( knowledge acquired through one's own mind):
Mati means mind. Thus mati jñāna is the knowledge acquired through one's own mind and the five sense-organs. There is no dependence on other instruments and observers. This type of knowledge is termed as parokṣa jñāna ( indirect knowledge). A person who does not possess this knowledge is said to be strongly infected by the Mati jñānāvaraṇa karmas, being associated with his soul. A variation in the quality of this knowledge among different persons is understood by the presence of different quantity of these karmas with varying degree of binding. A person who initially does not possess this knowledge can acquire it by dissociating these karmas.
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(ii) Śruta Jñāna (knowledge acquired by listening and through other sources ) :
Śruta means to hear. Thus śruta jñāna means the knowledge acquired through the reliable words of others like teachers and other authorities who are well-versed in the knowledge they are communicating. It also includes the knowledge derived from scriptures and other books written by authentic persons. This type of knowledge is also of parokşa type (indirect one). A person not possessing this knowledge is said to be infected with the Śruta-jñānāvaraṇa karmas. The variation of this knowledge with time and among different individuals has been attributed to the variation in the quantity of these karmas and their binding with the soul.
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