Aagamna Prakhar Vyaakhyataao

This document, titled "Aagamna Prakhar Vyakhyataao" (Eminent Commentators of the Agamas) by Muni Deepratnasagarji, is a scholarly essay exploring the concept of "Shramana" and its connection to the Jain Agamas, ultimately leading to a comprehensive list of ancient Jain scholars who commented on these sacred texts.

Here's a summary of the key points:

1. Understanding the Title: The title is analyzed as a combination of three words:

• Agam: A technical term in Jain literature referring to the sacred scriptures.
• Prakhar: Meaning eminent, foremost, or distinguished.
• Vyakhyata: Meaning commentator or expounder, signifying a specific quality of a Shramana.

2. The Shramana and the Agamas: The essay begins by defining the term "Shramana" as used in Jain scriptures. It highlights various meanings, including ascetic, disciplined, one who maintains equanimity, one who renounces worldly pleasures, and one who possesses a balanced mind towards all beings. Two specific definitions from the Dashavaikalika and Uttaradhyayana Sutras are emphasized:

• A Shramana is one who knows the Sutras and their underlying secrets.
• A Shramana is one who is steadfast in knowledge and other virtues.

3. The Lifeblood of a Shramana: Swadhyaya (Self-Study): The text argues that the majority of a Shramana's life is dedicated to Swadhyaya (self-study) as a form of penance. This study helps in shedding karmic bonds. The essay quotes the Chunikara of Dashavaikalika, stating that there was and will be no penance equal to Swadhyaya. It's asserted that Swadhyaya is the lifeblood of a Shramana, essential for attaining Moksha (liberation).

4. The Twelve Angas (Dvadashangi) and their Origin: The essay explains that Swadhyaya involves the study of the Dvadashangi (Twelve Angas), which are the core Jain scriptures as taught by the Tirthankaras. The Dvadashangi originated from the Tirthankara's pronouncements, which were then organized and compiled by the Gandharas (chief disciples). This compilation process involved understanding the fundamental principles of existence (creation, destruction, permanence).

5. The Term 'Agam': Meaning and Structure: The term 'Agam' is equated with religious scriptures, similar to the Upanishads in Hinduism or the Bible in Christianity. The Dvadashangi is also referred to as the Agam, meaning the collection of twelve Agamas. The word 'Agam' itself is synonymous with discourse, scripture, doctrine, time, and the words of the Jinas. Various commentaries define 'Agam' as:

• The words of the Apta (perfected beings).
• That which is received through recitation from a tradition of Acharyas.
• That which allows understanding of subjects through a prescribed scope or accurate description.
• That which leads to knowledge of intangible substances.
• Pure, uncontradicted words of the Apta.

The original structure of the Agamas was the Dvadashangi. Over time, this structure evolved. The Nandisutra categorizes Agamas into two main sections: Anga Pravishta (included within the Angas) and Anga Bahya (outside the Angas). The twelve Angas are considered Anga Pravishta, while texts composed by later Purvadhara (those who possessed prior knowledge) are Anga Bahya. Anga Bahya is further divided into necessary and unnecessary texts, with the latter being time-bound or timeless. This framework has led to the current classification of forty-five Agamas: 11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 10 Payannas, 6 Chedas, 4 Mulas, and 2 Chulikas.

6. Commentary Literature (Vivaran Sahitya): The core of the Agamas is in the form of Sutras. The earliest commentary literature on these Sutras is called Niryukti. This is followed by Bhashya, then Churni (a more elaborate commentary, often in prose and partially in Sanskrit), and finally Vritti (often in Sanskrit prose, highly detailed, and widely accepted today). Other forms of commentary also exist, such as Tippanak, Avacheri, etc.

7. Availability of Commentary Literature: The essay details the existence and availability of Niryuktis, Bhashyas, Churnis, and Vrittis, noting which ones are available, lost, or integrated into other works.

8. Eminent Commentators of the Agamas: The latter half of the document is dedicated to listing and briefly describing the contributions of numerous eminent Jain scholars who wrote commentaries on the Agamas. This list includes:

• Bhadra Bahuswami: Credited with Niryuktis for several important texts.
• Govindavachaka: Mentioned as a Niryuktikar, though no Niryuktis are available.
• Sanghadasagani: Known for his commentaries on Chedasutras and the historical work Vasudevahindi.
• Jinvadhra Gani Kshamashramana: Author of Visheshavashyaka Bhashya and commentaries on Jittakalpa Sutra.
• Ajnat Bhashyakara: The author of several Bhashya verses remains unknown.
• Jindasganni Mahattara: Credited with a significant portion of Churni literature.
• Agastyasimhasuri: Author of a Churni on the Dashavaikalika Sutra.
• Siddhasenagani: Commented on Jittakalpa Sutra and wrote a commentary on Umaswati's Tattvartha.
• Shilankacharya: Composed Vrittis in Sanskrit for the first two Angas.
• Gandhahasti: Author of a Vritti on the Acharaṅgasutra, preceding Shilankacharya.
• Vaharisadhu: Mentioned as an assistant to Shilankacharya.
• Abhayadevasuri: Famous for his Navangi Teeka, commented on nine Angas and two Upangas.
• Malayagirisuri: A contemporary of Hemchandrasuri, wrote commentaries on several Upangas and Chedasutras.
• Shantichandra Upadhyaya: Wrote a commentary on Jambudvipa Prajnapti.
• Acharya Chandrasuri: Author of Vrittis for five Upanga Sutras and other commentaries.
• Kshemakirtisuri: Completed an incomplete commentary by Malayagirisuri.
• Haribhadrasuri: A prolific writer, known for his commentaries on Avasyaka Sutra and Dashavaikalika Sutra, among many other significant works.
• Dronacharya: Known as a commentator on Oghaniryukti and compiler of Abhayadevasuri's commentary.
• Vadiverthala Shantisuri: Composed a Paiyateeka on the Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Maldhari Hemchandrasuri: A highly influential Acharya who created vast literature, including commentaries on Avasyaka Sutra and Visheshavashyaka.
• Vijayavimala Gani: Known as Vanararushi, wrote commentaries on Gacchachara Payanna and other Payannas.
• Bhuvanatungsuri: Wrote commentaries on Autarapratiyakhyan and Chaturasharan Pannas.
• Manikyasekhara: Composed Deepika commentaries on various Agamas.
• Gunaratnasuri: Authored Avachuris on two Payanna Sutras.
• Shyamacharya: Though primarily a Sutrakara, his Pragnapana Sutra is mentioned for its unique style.
• Kotyacharya: Wrote extensive commentaries on Visheshavashyaka Bhashya.
• Prithvichandrasuri: Composed a Tippan on the Kalpasutra.
• Acharya Ajitadeva: Author of Deepika commentaries on Kalpasutra, Acharaṅgasutra, and Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Pt. Yashodevgani: Assisted Abhayadevasuri in composing Navangi Teeka.
• Acharya Vijayasihasuri: Composed Shradhha Pratikramana Churni.
• Namisadhu: Wrote Tippans on Avasyaka Vritti and Chaityavandana Vritti.
• Acharya Nemicandra: Composed a Vritti on Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Acharya Sumatisuri: Authored a Laghuvritti on Dashavaikalika Sutra.
• Mahopadhyaya Kamalasamyama Gani: Composed a commentary on Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Acharya Jinahamsasuri: Authored Deepika on Acharaṅgasutra.
• Sadhuranga Gani: Composed Deepika on Suyagadanga Sutra.
• Acharya Tilakaprabha: Created Vrittis on various Agamas and ritualistic texts.
• Jayakirtisuri: Composed a commentary on Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Acharya Udaysagar, Kirtivallabha Gani, Vinayhansa: Each composed Vrittis or commentaries on Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Bhattarakaji: Wrote a Laghuvritti on the Kalpasutra.
• Acharya Yashodevasuri: Composed commentaries on Iryapatha, Chaityavandana, etc.
• Acharya Vadidevasuri: Authored a Laghuvritti on Jivajivabhigama Sutra.
• Mahopadhyaya Samayasundara Gani: Wrote commentaries on Kalpasutra and Dashavaikalika Sutra.
• Kanakasundara Gani: Composed a "Dabbho" (commentary or summary) of the Dashavaikalika Sutra.
• Jayaratnasuri, Kanakasundara, Padmasundara: Composed Dabbhos on Dashavaikalika, Jnatadharmakatha, and Bhagavati Sutra respectively.
• Acharya Devendrasuri: Authored Vrindara Vritti on Shradhha Pratikramana Sutra.
• Acharya Dharmaghoshosuri: Known for his commentaries on Sanghachara Bhashya Vivarana and Shradhha Jittakalpa.
• Acharya Jñanasagar Suri: Authored Avachuris on Pannavanasutra, Avasyaka Sutra Vritti, Oghaniryukti, and Uttaradhyayana Sutra.
• Acharya Sadhuratnasuri: Composed Avachuri on Yati Jittakalpa.
• Acharya Somasundarasuri: Known for his commentaries on Chaityavandana Bhashya, etc.
• Jinhansha Gani: Authored commentaries on Surya Prajnapti and Chandra Prajnapti.
• Panyasa Sanghavijaya Gani: Composed a Laghuteeka on the Kalpasutra.
• Somasomavimalasuri: Authored Dabbhos on Kalpasutra, Dashavaikalika, and Vipakasutra.
• Mahopadhyaya Dharmasagara Gani: Wrote a commentary on Kalpasutra.
• Mahopadhyaya Vinayavijaya Gani: Composed a commentary on the Kalpasutra.
• Upadhyaya Shrutsagar Gani: Authored a commentary on Chaturasharana Payanna.

The essay also mentions other scholars whose works or attributions are less clear but are noted in the "Pravachana Kiranavali."

Conclusion: The essay concludes by stating that while this list provides a general overview of the prominent commentators, the ultimate and most authoritative commentator on the Agamas is the Tirthankara Maharajas themselves.