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Epistemology of Jainas
In case the Ārsajñāna isi intuitional (prātibha), appearing like a flash of light, produced through the operation of mind, it is nothing but mati. We have cited the examples of four buddbis which cover the whole range of prātibhajñāna.
As a matter of fact the difference between the Vaišesika and the Jaina is very little. The Vaibesika holds that knowledge of dharma depends upon the scriptures for its origination. Whea developed it becomes Ārsa or yogic according to the two types of practices. According to Jainism also the knowledge of supersensual objects is acquired first through scriptures. The same when highly developed through self-discipline and meditation, results into keyalajñāna. In the state of śruta it was imperceptual; but, in the stage of kevala it becomes perceptual The Vedic tradition makes a distinction between the two stages by calling their possessers as sși and muni respectively. The șsi has intuitional direct knowledge. The muni possesses the same indirectly.
The idea of scriptural knowledge, gradually developing into intuition is also expressed by the Upanişads through their three-fold way of realization. The Śravaņa (to learn the scriptures from a preceptor), manana (logical deliberation) and pididhyāsana (constant meditation) result into the intuition or realization of Brahman. Siddha. Darśana (Occult Perception)
Besides the intuition of yogins and sages, Prasastapāda describes the perception of occultists who cannot perceive super sensible objects like dharma. They can perceive only the sensible objects as are too subtle or too remote for an ordinary perception; and as such are hidden from our view. They perceive these subtle, remote and hidden objects not through meditation or austerities; but through the external sense-organs sharpened by the application of certain ointments or the like; which, produce certain occult powers. And such an occultperception is purely sensuous, since, it is produced by the external sense-organs with the help of certain occult medicines, 1. Vaišesika Sūtra-Bhāsya 9.2.13
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