Prakash Sancheti
Page 21
Text:
1. Sensory Knowledge (Mati Gyan):
It is usually known as perceptual knowledge in the Agamas. It belongs to the category of indirect knowledge. It is born with the help of sense organs and mind. There are four stages of development of Mati Gyan viz. (i) Avagraha (Reception) (ii) Iha (Speculation) (iii) Avaya (Perceptual judgment) (iv) Dharna (Retention):
- Avagraha (Reception):
Synonyms of perception are receiving, holding, hearing, grasping, awareness. It is the contact of object or stimulation of sense organs.- Iha (Speculation):
It is the second stage. In it the mind tries to determine the characteristic of the object. For instance in perception a person simply hears a sound while in speculation he tries to know the nature of the sound.- Avaya (Perceptual judgment):
It is ascertainment of the right and exclusion of the wrong. It, therefore, is a determinate knowledge of the object.- Dharna (Retention):
Perceptual judgment is followed by retention. It is the retention of knowledge. Synonyms are memory, holding, placing, fixing, firmly grasping etc.Let us now describe two important divisions of sensory knowledge:
Vinaiky is born of humility and service. It is defined as the intellect which is capable of completing a difficult task. It can comprehend the spirit and letter of the trio of dharma (religion) arth (material prosperity) and kam (sensual pleasure). It is fruitful in this world as well as hereafter.
The intellect developed due to practical experience is called karmiki. It is not learning that is responsible for its development, but practical experience that is important. As an experienced gold-smith can easily differentiate between pure gold and alloy, while a layman with bookish knowledge is easily deceived.
