Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 03

The provided text is the Gujarati version of "Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 03," compiled and translated by Muni Deepratnasagar. This book is part of a larger series, "Agam Kathanuyoga," which aims to present the narrative tradition of Jain Agamas.

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

1. Title and Author:

• Book Title: Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 03
• Author(s): Muni Deepratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
• Publisher: Shrut Prakashan Nidhi
• Purpose: Jain Education International - For Private and Personal Use Only.

2. Series Structure (Agam Kathanuyoga Parts 1-6): The index provided clearly outlines the content covered across the six volumes of "Agam Kathanuyoga." This specific volume, Part 3, focuses on Agam Sadhit Shraman Kathao (Śramaṇa Kathas based on Original Agamas). The other volumes cover:

• Part 1: Kulkar Kathas, Chakravarti Kathas, Vasudev Kathas, etc.
• Part 2: Shraman Kathas (from original Agamas).
• Part 3: Tirthankar Kathas (based on original Agamas).
• Part 4: Shraman Kathas (from Agam Sateek, meaning with commentaries), Shramani Kathas (female ascetics).
• Part 5: Shravak Kathas (lay followers), Shravika Kathas (laywomen followers), Praani Kathas (animal stories), Dukha Vipaki Kathas (stories of the consequences of suffering), Dhrushtant-Upnay (examples and analogies).
• Part 6: Dev Kathas (celestial beings), Devi Kathas (goddesses), Prateekbuddh Kathas (enlightened individuals), Anyatirthik Kathas (followers of other faiths), Prakirn Kathas (miscellaneous stories).

3. Content of Agam Kathanuyoga - Part 3: This volume, specifically "Bhag-3 (Mul Agam Adharit)" meaning "Part 3 (Based on Original Agamas)," contains Śramaṇa Kathās. The detailed index lists numerous stories of Śramaṇa (ascetics, monks) originating from the Jain Agamas. The index includes sections such as:

• Adhyayan-5 (Study Chapter 5): Mul Agamni Shraman Kathao (Shraman Stories from Original Agamas). This is the core of the volume.
• The index then lists a vast number of individual Śramaṇa stories, identified by names like:
  • Ardrakumar Katha
  • Udaka Pedhalputra Katha
  • Mahabal/Sudarshan Katha
  • Gautam Katha (and stories of other Ganadharas like Indrabhuti Gautam, Agnibhuti, etc.)
  • Nihrava Katha (heretical ascetics)
  • Goshala Katha (story of Goshala Mankhaliputra, a contemporary of Mahavir)
  • Pratyekbuddha Katha (stories of individuals who attained enlightenment independently).
  • And many more, including stories of various ascetics and disciples like Kartikeya Shreshthi, Gangadatta, Rishabhadatta, etc., running into hundreds of individual narratives.

4. Key Themes and Narrative Focus: The book's primary purpose is to narrate the lives and teachings of ascetics (Śramaṇa) as documented in the original Jain Agamas. These stories likely illustrate:

• The path of renunciation and asceticism.
• The consequences of karma (Dukha Vipaki Kathas, though these are in Part 5, the ascetic stories would also demonstrate karmic fruition).
• The principles of Jain conduct and philosophy through exemplary lives.
• The spiritual journeys of individuals towards liberation (Moksha).
• The compilation aims to make this vast narrative tradition accessible and understandable.

5. Compilation and Translation: Muni Deepratnasagar has compiled and translated these narratives, aiming to present them in Gujarati. The book is a significant effort to gather and organize the extensive narrative literature found within the Jain Agamas.

6. Appreciation and Dedication: The initial pages show deep respect and dedication to spiritual leaders, including "Bala Brahmachari Shri Neminathay namah" and "Pujya Shri Anand-Sam-Lalit-Sushil-Sudharmasagar Gurubhyo namah." The book is also supported by numerous "Dravya Sahayako" (financial contributors), indicating a community effort in its publication.

7. Purpose of the Series: The publisher, Shrut Prakashan Nidhi, and the compiler/translator, Muni Deepratnasagar, are engaged in a large-scale project to publish Jain Agam literature. This series aims to provide readers with access to the rich Kathanuyoga (narrative) tradition, which is crucial for understanding Jain teachings and history. The introductory pages also mention other publications by the same group, such as "Agam Gujarati Translation" and "Agam Sutrani – Satik," highlighting their commitment to making Jain scriptures accessible.

In essence, "Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 03" is a detailed and comprehensive collection of stories about Jain ascetics, drawn directly from the authoritative Jain Agamas and their commentaries, presented in Gujarati for educational and personal study. The extensive index demonstrates the depth and breadth of the narrative content within Jain tradition.