Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
In the second chapter, an outline of āgamic literature, there is a detailed discussion on āgamic literature. Presently available Jain āgamas are compilation of Lord Mahavira preaching. The teachings of Lord Mahavira were compiled into aphorisms by his chief disciples called ganadharas. Although in Jain tradition, the 'āgama' word refers to highly capable beings (i.e. omniscients and other enlightened ones) only, but in the absence of such enlightened people, their preaching or teachings are called 'āgama'. This ancient concept has been dealt with in this chapter while discussing the origination of āgamas. Although, there were eleven chief disciples of Lord Mahavira, currently only a part of dvādaśāngī compiled by Sudharma swami (fifth ganadhara) is available. Sudharma, addressing Jambu has said - Oh Long lived! I heard Lord saying that
ásuyaṃ me āusaṃ! teṇaṃ bhagavayā evamakkhāyaṃâ
Ancient texts like Ācārāṅga also begin with this phrase. In this chapter, the councils of āgama, the number, compiler, validity, classification and chronology of their gradual extinction etc. and various other related subjects have been discussed. With all these, the first five āgama, which are the basis of this dissertation, have been introduced elaborately. The various philosophical and periodical thoughts propounded in āgama have also been dealt in brief with the intention to introduce the very core of the āgama texts.
In this chapter, an introduction to digambara āgamic literature has also been given with the introduction to the śvetāmbar āgamic and commentary literature. The editing, translation etc. efforts on āgamas in this modern age are also introduced. Śvetāmbara tradition believes that the eleven canonical scriptures (out of twelve) are available at present with some parts missing, whereas the twelfth aṅga Dṛṣṭivāda has been lost completely. On the contrary, digambara tradition believes that except a part of Dṛṣṭivāda, all other aṅgas (Principal Canons) and upāṅga (Auxiliary Canons) are lost. Taking both the views together, it can be said that some part of all the twelve aṅgas continues to exist.
