To get salvation, Mahaveer Swami told three remedies which were later called Triratna. Samyak knowledge is the primary one in all of these. The meaning of Samyak knowledge is complete and true knowledge. Mahaveer Swami told that to achieve true and complete knowledge, man should study and follow the teachings of the Tirthankars.
Five types of knowledge are given in Jainism. These are :
- Mati (bias) that means knowledge gained by the sense.
- Shruti (revelation, organ of hearing) that means knowledge gained by listening or describing.
- Term knowledge (Ardhi Gyan) that is the divine knowledge of anything kept somewhere.
- Minded options (Mann paryaya) that is knowledge of other persons through thoughts and ideoieogy.
- Kevallya Gyan or knowledge of salvation.