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248. ] Nyāya-Kusumānjali
The stage of Dharana consists of the lasting impression, formed after the object with its particulars is ascertained. It is due to the impression that one remembers the objects afterwards. Hence this may be termed a retentive stage.
Paramarathika Pratyaksha is the clear knowledge acquired by Atman directly and immediately-not through any other kind of knowledge or medium of senses and the mind. It is purely intuitional knowledge, arising from the illumination of the soul, and is a means of securing absolution. It is again twofold; Perfect ( Sakulu ) and Imperfect ( Vikala ). The former (Sakala ) means omniscience. It is unlimited by time or space. It transcends all relativity of discursive thought involving the idea of succession and series. This knowledge is infinite, supreme, unobstructed and perfect. It precedes the attainment of salvation. The latter ( Vikala ) is again two-fold : Avadhi and Manahparyaya.
Avadhi-inana is the direct knowledge of material objects of all types- near or distant, hidden or unhidden, limited or unlimited, etc. It is of two kinds : (1) Bhava-pratyaya, innate, as in the case of gods and denizens of hell and (2) Guna-pratyaya, which is acquired by the annihilation of Karmans, by human beings and animals. This is one of the three kinds of knowledge that a Tirthankara possesses from his very birth. Manahparyaya is the direct knowledge possessed
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