Since the destruction of karmic veils and the higher degree of purity of the soul is possible through the valid knowledge, the importance lies not in the fallacious species of knowledge but in the valid knowledge. Let us see each of these five species or types of valid knowledge, in brief. It is based on senseous perception. Mati jnana is sometimes further distinguished into three kinds viz. Jnana or Authoratative knowledge is knowledge derived through symbols, signs or words.
All verbal knowledge is Sruta jnana.
It includes all canonical, scriptual or both knowledge. Sruta jnana is invariably preceded by mati jnana. Avadhi Jnana or Clairvoyant is a sort of clairvoyant knowledge or direct visual intuition which enables a person to know things or objects even at a distance of time or space, without their coming into contact with sense organs. Manah paryaya or Telephathic knowledge is a direct knowledge of the thoughts of the minds of others. It is without the help of any medium or agency.