Verse 1.21 - Clairvoyance based on birth

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 1.21:

भवप्रत्ययोऽवधिर्देवनारकाणाम् ॥ १.२१ ॥

bhavapratyayo'vadhirdevanārakāṇām || 1.21 ||

Clairvoyance based on birth–bhavapratyaya avadhijñāna–is possessed by the celestial and the infernal beings. (21)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: [भवप्रत्ययः] भवप्रत्यय नामक [अवधिः] अवधिज्ञान [देवनारकाणाम्] देव और नारकियों के होता है।

Anvayartha: [bhavapratyayah] bhavapratyaya namaka [avadhih] avadhijnana [devanarakanam] deva aura narakiyom ke hota hai |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

Indirect knowledge has been expounded. Direct knowledge must be described now. Direct knowledge is the knowledge perceived directly by the soul in a vivid manner without the intermediary of the senses or the Scripture. This is of two kinds, direct knowledge of a part of reality–deśaprtyakṣa–and direct knowledge embracing the entire reality–sarvaprtyakṣa. Avadhi (clairvoyance) and manaḥparyaya (telepathy) constitute the first variety, and perfect knowledge (kevalajñāna) constitutes the second variety of direct knowledge. The first of these three kinds of direct knowledge, namely, avadhijñāna, is described first. Avadhijñāna is of two kinds according to the nature of its origin. The first is due to birth–bhavapratyaya, and the second owes its origin to destruction-cum-subsidence of the particular karmic veil–kṣayopaśamanimittaka. First, the bhavapratyaya avadhijñāna is described.

What is the state of existence ‘bhava’? The mode (paryāya) of the soul is the state of its existence; it is caused by the life-and name-karmas (āyu, nāmakarma). ‘Pratyaya’ means cause (kāraṇa) or instrumental cause (nimitta). The avadhijñāna that has the state of existence (bhava) for its cause or origin is the bhavapratyaya avadhijñāna. It is possessed by the deva and the infernal beings. In that case, there would be no destruction-cum-subsidence (kṣayopaśama) of the karmic veil in this type of clairvoyance. No, it is not so. In case of these beings, the karmic veil disappears and subsides due to their state of being (bhava). So the state of being (bhava) is mentioned as the main cause. Birds fly by instinct (inborn tendency) and not because of teaching. So also clairvoyance arises in these beings not because of any special merit such as observance of vows or restraint, but by reason of their state of existence (bhava). The state of existence being common to all, it would mean that all are endowed with the same degree of clairvoyance. But differences in the degree of clairvoyance (avadhijñāna) possessed by these beings are admitted. Though the beings in heaven and hell are mentioned in general, only those endowed with right faith among them are implied. This is clear from the term ‘avadhi’ used in the sūtra. In case of wrong believers, it is called vibhaṅga (erroneous) clairvoyance (avadhijñāna) as it is vitiated by their wrong belief. The degree of clairvoyance among them can be ascertained from the Scripture.