Book Title: Jaina Philosophy and Religion
Author(s): Nyayavijay
Publisher: B L Institute of Indology
View full book text
________________
Jaina Logic
325
between probans and probandum, as supported by a known instance). (4) So also this place is smoky. (This is the statement of application). (5) Therefore this place is fiery. (This is the statement of conclusion).
In parārthānumāna, one is required to follow this procedure.
Probans which does not have the relation of invariable concomitance with probandum is called pseudo-probans (hetvābhāsa). Pseudo-probans can never lead to valid inference.
Verbal Knowledge (Āgama or Sabda) Knowledge generated through words of trustworthy authority (äpta) is called valid verbal knowledge (āgama-pramāna or sabda-pramāna).
Words that propound the pure Reality, that throw true light on spiritual development and its means, and that are not contradicted by other forms of valid knowledge, viz., perception, inference, etc. truly constitute agama or scripture.
One who preaches and teaches the truth and reality as they are, for the benefit of all is called a trustworthy authority (apta). And words of such a person are called scripture (agama). The supremely trustworthy authority is that person who has totally removed all the defilements like attachment, aversion, etc., from his soul and who has preached the elevating and pure teaching on the basis of his perfect and pure knowledge. As he is absolutely free from the defects like attachment, etc., that soil the soul, his heart is full of universal love. He is the Compassionate par excellence. And impelled by universal love and compassion, he teaches Truth and Reality, especially the path leading to liberation, on the basis of his pure knowledge gained through spiritual and yogic practice.
The serene philosophy propounded in scriptures will possibly be totally misunderstood and will consequently do great harm instead of benefit, if it is not reflected on by one's impartial, discerning, discreet reason. Abandonment of obstinacy, love or predilection for truth, impartial attitude, judicious and sharp intellect, unagitated and calm mind, penetrating insight, pure desire for knowledge—if these qualities are cultivated by a person, then he can successfully and without any fear dive into the deep waters of the ocean of scriptural truths and realities. When we think superficially about the thoughts of great sages, we feel
e thoughts of one are contradictory to those of another. But, if we adopt synthetic outlook and try to understand them from different
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
Page Navigation
1 ... 351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386 387 388 389 390 391 392 393 394 395 396 397 398 399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 444 445 446 447 448 449 450 451 452 453 454 455 456 457 458 459 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 470 471 472 473 474 475 476 477 478 479 480 481 482 483 484 485 486 487 488 489 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 499 500