According to Jaina epistemology, in which order do the four stages of…

Concept

Mati-jñāna is sensory and mental cognition. Jaina epistemology explains it as a progression from initial apprehension through inquiry and determination to retention.

Each stage presupposes the cognitive work before it: an object is first grasped generally, then examined, judged with certainty, and finally retained in memory.

Application

1. Avagraha is the initial, relatively indeterminate apprehension of an object.

2. Īhā is inquiry or the effort to identify the object more specifically.

3. Apāya (also written Avāya) is determinate judgment, when doubt is removed.

4. Dhāraṇā is retention of the determined cognition.

Contrast

• Dhāraṇā → Apāya → Avagraha → Īhā begins with retention before the object has been apprehended.

• Apāya → Avagraha → Īhā → Dhāraṇā places determinate judgment before initial apprehension.

• Īhā → Apāya → Dhāraṇā → Avagraha postpones initial apprehension until the end.

Cross-check

The traditional fourfold enumeration itself gives the same progression: Avagraha, Īhā, Apāya/Avāya, and Dhāraṇā.

Result

Therefore, the order is Avagraha → Īhā → Apāya → Dhāraṇā.