Studies in Jainism

Author(s): Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta
Publisher: Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture Culcutta

Page 81

72
STUDIES IN JAINISM
(1) Jñana-pravāda was a study in epistemology, giv
ing an exposition of how knowledge was acquired in its five forms, namely: mati (desire), sruti (hearing), avadhi (attention), manahparyaya (the state of mental perception which precedes the attainment of perfect knowledge),
and kevala (the highest possible knowledge). (vi) Satya-pravada studied the nature of truth and
reality and forms of untruth. (vii) Atma-pravāda was the study of the self or the
principle of life. (viii) Karma-pravāda gave an exposition of the eight
forms of karma, bondage, namely: jñanavarana (knowledge-cover or error), dars anavarana (obstruction of one's philosophical views). Vedaniya (expression of feelings), mohaniya (producing delusion), ayu (duration of life as governed by karma), nama (attachment to name), gotra (attachment to race), and antaraya (any
obstacle to realization) as well as their subdivisions. (ix) Pratyakhyānavāda contained expiatory rites, and
rules for the observance of fasts and vows. (x) Vidyānuvada was an exposition of various sci
ences and arts, including prognostication, (xi) Kalyanavāda was devoted to astrology and a de
scription of the five auspicious events, that is, conception, birth, renunciation, enlightenment, and salvation, in the lives of the sixty-three great men, namely, the Tīrthankaras, the Cakravartins, the Baladevas, the Naravanas. and the Prati
Narayanas. (xii) Pranavāda was the science of physical culture
and longevity, and expounded the eight forms of
medical treatment. (xiii) Kriyāvis ala gave an exposition of the seventy-two
fine arts, including writing and poetry. (xiv) Loka-bindu-sara treated of worldly professions as
well as ways and means to secure salvation.