________________
INTRODUCTION
THE philosophy of Nayas (standpoints) is an integral part of Jaina Metaphysics, and Jaina philosophers have always laid the greatest emphasis on its proper comprehension. It is maintained that no one who is not fully acquainted with this department of philosophy is likely to make any real progress in knowledge, and none whatever in religion, however much he might make himself familiar with other matters. To estimate the true value of this statement it is necessary to determine the nature of knowledge itself, in the first instance.
The object of knowledge is to make us acquainted with the nature of things, so that when we know a thing fully we are said to have knowledge of it. Now, knowledge arises in one of the two following ways: (1) it is either perceived directly, or (2) is inferred from facts of observation or record. The first kind, called Pratyaks'a, includes the kevalajnana (Omniscience) of the Siddhátman', the Manahprayaya?
1. A Perfect or Deified Soul. 2. Knowledge of the thoughts of others.
