Avadhi Gyan (Avadhi Jñān) is one of the five types of knowledge (gyan) in Jainism.

Simple meaning: Avadhi Gyan is a special, direct knowledge of physical things (roopi dravya) which the soul gets without using the senses or mind. But this knowledge is limited – it works only up to a certain distance, time, and range of objects.

Key points in simple words:

1. Type of knowledge:

- It is direct (pratyaksha gyan), not through eyes, ears, or mind. - The soul knows objects directly by its own power.

1. What it knows:

- Only material / physical substances (like bodies, objects, worlds). - It cannot know all things like Keval Gyan; it knows only within a fixed boundary.

1. Limited nature:

- Limited by space – only up to some distance. - Limited by time – only for some time (past / present / future within a limit). - Limited by quality – only some details, not all infinite modes.

1. Who can have Avadhi Gyan:

- Many devas (heavenly beings) and nārakis (hellish beings) naturally have it. - It can also arise in highly disciplined sadhus/sadhvis due to purification of gyanavarniya karma.

1. Place among the 5 gyans:

- 1) Mati Gyan - 2) Shrut Gyan - 3) Avadhi Gyan - 4) Manah Paryay Gyan - 5) Keval Gyan - Mati & Shrut = indirect (paroksha) - Avadhi, Manah Paryay, Keval = direct (pratyaksha) - Avadhi is lower than Keval Gyan, but higher than ordinary sense-based knowledge.

Digambar & Shwetambar view: Both traditions accept the same basic definition of Avadhi Gyan as:

• Direct, extra-sensory, limited knowledge of physical objects.

Differences (if any) are only in detailed sub-classifications, not in the core meaning.

You can read more in simple language here: You can read more here