Jaina Concept of Omniscience

Author(s): Ramjee Singh
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 18

THE MEANING OF OMNISCIENCE
also practically follow the Sanskrit rules of derivation of the term Sarvajña, Abhidhāna Rājendra, a Jaina Encyclopaedia, discusses the notion of omniscience in the context of Jaina philosophy and religion. In Jainism, Sarvajña denotes a person having perfect knowledge (Kevala jñāna).23 However, even here two meanings have been distinguished. One is the common meaning which is almost the literal meaning, i.e., "all-knowing, omniscient being'. The other is the special meaning determined by the philosophical and the religious background of Jainism. In the second sense, an omniscient being is he “who knows all substances with all their modes ”. This knowledge is gained only after the complete destruction of all obstructive veils. 24
(B)
Conceptual Clarification
1. Some Misconceptions :
It should not be construed from what has been said that I am trying to determine the meaning of 'Sarvajña', just by referring to various lexicons, gram nurs, etc. It is now a common place that the lexical works cannot decide the meaning of any word. They report only the existing usages. One may conclude from what has been said in the preceding pages that there is almɔst no disagreement about the meaning of
Sarvajña', because the various ways in which its meaning has been explained by the classical dictionaries do not differ from one another in any fundamental way. But this would be
23
Abhidhana Rajendra, Vol. VII, p. 585.
24 Umāsvāmi, Tatlvārthadhigama Sutra, ed. S. C. Ghosal (S. B. J. Vol.
II, Arrah, 1920), I. 29: Sruta Sāgara Suri, Tattvärthavștti, ed. M. K. Jaina, (Kasi, Bharatiya Jñanapitha, 1949), I 29; Pūjyapāda, Sarvarthasiddhi, ed. P. C. Siddhanta Šāstri. (Kasi. B. J. P. 1944). 1. 29: Vidyānanda, Tattvärthaślokavārttikam (Bombay, Nirnaya Sagar Press, 1918), I. 29.2; Akalanka, Tattvārthara javarttikam ed. M. K. Jaina, (Kasi, B. J. P., 1953), "Vol. I, 1.29.