Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 606

Sec. II]
581
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
to perceptual knowledge. Thus it is explained in the BhS1 and the Prajnapana Sutra' that the ear hears the touched and entered sounds; the eye sees the touched and entered objects (i.e. the image of objects); the nose smells the touched and entered smells; the tongue tastes the touched and entered objects and the skin experiences the touches of the touched and entered objects.
The principles of the theory of sensation as laid down herein agree with those of the modern psychology to a great extent. For example, it explains that the sensation of sound is created in the brain when sound-waves, being converged by the outer ear, strike upon the outer membrane of the ear-drum and make it vibrate and the vibrations are transmitted to the auditory nerve through the chain of bones, the inner membrane and the contents of the labyrinth. Next, the disturbance of vibration is carried by the auditory nerve to the brain causing finally the sensation of sounds.
Sense-Perception
It is explained in the BhS that the following psychological factors are involved in this process of perceptual knowledge (abhinibodhika-jñāna) or sense-perception, viz. avagraha (perceptual judgement of generality of object), zha (desire to know or speculation), avaya (determination) and dhāraṇā (retention or memory).* Memory and Imagination
Memory and imagination involve the process of tha (speculation or mental desire to know), apoha (exclusion), maggana and gavesanā (searching and fathoming by thought). In the process of memory the images of the past sensible experiences accompanied by a belief are revived and recognized by an individual, i. e. having familiarity of characteristics of images, as it is evidenced in the case of Devananda" who recognized in Lord Mahāvīr as her former son.
1 BhS, 2, 4, 99.
2 Prajñapana 15, 1, 191, 194, 195. 3 Ib. Indriyapada 15, 1, 194, 195. 4 Bhs,12, 5, 450; 8, 2, 318. Ib, 9, 33, 382.
5 Ib. 11,11, 432.