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Epistemology of Jainas
Gamika and Agamika śrutal
The sruta which is connected with mathematical calculations or repeats the same text agrin and again with a particular purpose is known as Gamika. This name was generally given to Dșstivāda, the twelveth ainga. The śruta composed in various meters and prose forms is Agamika, it is also known as kālika. Amgapravista Angabāhya
The division of Amyapravista and Angabāhya is based on three factors which we have already discussed.
It is said that Distivāda centaines the full subject matter of all the pūrvas, Aṁgas and other literature. Even that the composition of the literature other than Drstivāda is meant for the persons who could not learn Drstivāda. A woman was not allowed to study the Dșstivāda. According to the Digambara tradition she cannot attatn liberation, but the Swetāmbaras do not deny her that privilege. According, to them a female can become a Tirthankara also. The nineteenth Tirtharikara was a woman. Still, they also contain many injuuctions belittling the position of woman. It appears to be a Brahmaṇical influ. ence. The Subject matter of Șruta jñāna
A person with śruta-jñāna can know all the objects of the world, the present, past or future with all modes and states. But his cognition is indirect. He knows, but cannot perceive them. Sruta is not preceded by sensation or the stage of acquisition.
According to certain systems the scriptural knowledge result into intuition or perceptual knowledge. But, the Jaina does not support it. As far as the subject matter is concerned the Jaina also holds that śruta is not inferior to kevala. The only difference between the two is that the first is indirect while the latter is direct.
1. Višeşāvaśyakabhāşya G. 549.555
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