Chapter - 1

Indistinct apprehension does not arise by means of the eyes and the mind.
This refers to Verse 19: "Na cakṣuranindriyābhyām." Jain philosophy teaches that while the ears, nose, tongue, and skin must "touch" their objects to perceive them (allowing for a moment of indistinct apprehension), the eyes and the mind perceive from a distance or without physical contact, and thus do not experience this specific stage of "indistinct" awareness.

Scriptural knowledge is preceded by sensory knowledge and is of two, many, and twelve kinds. (20)

original Sanskrit: "Śrutaṃ matipūrvaṃ dvyanekadvādaśabhedam"

[ Śrutam ] Scriptural knowledge [ matipūrvaṃ ] is preceded by sensory knowledge; that is, it occurs after sensory knowledge has taken place. That scriptural knowledge [ dvyanekadvādaśabhedam ] consists of two, many, and twelve subdivisions.

Scriptural knowledge (śruta-jñāna) is not just reading books; it is the conceptual or articulated knowledge that arises through interpretation of what is sensed. The "twelve kinds" refer to the primary Jain canons (the Angas).

Scriptural knowledge preceded by sensory knowledge is of two kinds, which are of many and twelve subdivisions.

Clairvoyance based on birth is possessed by celestial and infernal beings. (21)

original Sanskrit: "Bhavapratyayo’vadhirdevanārakāṇām"

[ Bhavapratyayaḥ ] The variety of clairvoyance known as "birth-based" [ avadhiḥ ] clairvoyance [ devanārakāṇām ] occurs in celestial beings (gods) and infernal beings (those in hell).

Clairvoyance (avadhi) based on birth is possessed by celestial and infernal beings.
The text now introduces the third type of knowledge: clairvoyance or "limited direct knowledge." Unlike humans who usually must earn this ability through spiritual practice, gods and hell-beings are born with it as a natural consequence of their state of existence (bhava).