Answer

In Tattvārtha Sūtra, Chapter 1, Sūtra 29, the phrase is commonly understood as:

“Tad-anantabhāge manaḥparyāyasyā”

Meaning:

“Manaḥparyāya-jñāna is found in an infinitely small fraction of that.”

Here, “that” refers to the range or extent associated with avadhi-jñāna mentioned in the previous context.

Explanation

The sūtra is discussing the comparative range of different types of direct knowledge:

• Avadhi-jñāna — clairvoyant knowledge of material things.
• Manaḥparyāya-jñāna — direct knowledge of the thoughts or mental modes of other beings.

The phrase means that compared to the vast range of avadhi-jñāna, the range of manaḥparyāya-jñāna is only an infinitesimal part.

So, although manaḥparyāya-jñāna is a higher and purer form of knowledge than avadhi-jñāna, its field of operation is narrower: it is specifically related to knowing the mental states of beings, not all material objects.

Spiritual Understanding

Jain Dharma teaches that knowledge becomes purer as karmic coverings are destroyed. Manaḥparyāya-jñāna is spiritually superior to avadhi-jñāna because it arises in highly advanced ascetics and is connected with greater inner purity.

However, “higher” does not always mean “wider in range.” This sūtra shows a subtle point:

• Avadhi-jñāna may cover a vast area of material objects.
• Manaḥparyāya-jñāna is more refined but limited to thoughts and mental modes.

Takeaway

The phrase means that the scope of manaḥparyāya-jñāna is only an infinitesimal fraction of the scope of avadhi-jñāna, even though manaḥparyāya-jñāna is spiritually more advanced.