Jain Journal 2002 07

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 22

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Jain Journal : Vol. XXXVII, No. 1 July 2002 and avadhi can apprehend only material substance. Hence, practically, avadhi does not know anything beyond this region.
Modes of Avadhijñāna
We have already discussed that avadhi begins with an innumerable part of angula, and extends upto the entire universe. It means avadhi has minimum and maximum limit, besides that minimum and maximum limit, avadhi also has middle limit. All that modes of avadhi is technically known as! 1. Desāvadhi, 2. Paramāvadhi and 3. Sarvāvadhi. Before explaining all the three modes of avadhi, we should note that it extends up to the stage just preceding omniscience
1. Desāvadhi : The avadhi related a part has three grades18_ Jaghanya (minimum), Utkrsta (maximum) and the aghanyotkrsta (middle). Desāvadhi is the minimum stage which perceives an infinitely small part of an angula. In the maximum stage it cognizes the entire universe. All the middle stages are related to the third category. Vardhamana, Hyaman, avasthita, avavasthita, gamina, apratiatina and pratipatina are the different stages of avadhi, and Desāvadhi may undergo in all these stages.''
All the above stages are found in the human kingdom and the gradation discussed above of desăvadhi with middle capacity. The maximum limit of avadhi in the case of subhuman kingdom is innumerable islands and oceans in respect of space, innumerable years of time and a certain degree of fire substance.20
2. Paramāvadhi: Avadhi developed into the highest stage. It also has three categories like desăvadhi - Jaghanya, Utakrsta and Ajaghanyotkryta.2' It is the minimum degree perceives the entire universe with an additional unit of space, that is the maximum degree perceives the space measured by innumerable stages. The middle stages are related to the third categories. The paramāvadhi does not meet the stages of hiyaman and pratipatina.20
Paramāvadhi is possible in the human kingdom only. It is attained by a person with a high degree of self-discipline. As a matter of fact, it is a variety of Desāvadhi only.23