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ant sūtras.32 As a result, occasion would arise to explain and comment upon it while commenting upon those particular sūtras. On this account, leaving aside the pañcanamaskāra Jinabhadra first comments upon the Nandi. At the same time, he offers clarification that though for mangala it is necessary to mention the Nandi, it is not compulsory, as it is in the present case, for us to comment upon it while writing commentaries on other sūtra works; it is optional. Again, it being an independent śrutaskandha it is not necessary to comment upon it even in the present case; but it is not objectionable either if someone writes a commentary on it for the benefit of the pupils.33 According to Ac. Jinabhadra the commentary on the Sāmāyika āvaśyaka is the fundamental commentary and one who masters it will master the commentaries of all the śāstras.34
That the method of respectfully calling to memory the five jñanas (i.e. the Nandi) in the beginning of writing commentaries on the śāstras or in the beginning of the study of the śāstras and also that of pointing out the connection of a particular śāstra with the śrutajñana was prevalent gets support from the Anuyogadvārasūtra. The oldest commentary on an agama work is nothing but the Anuyogadvära. It is a commentary on the Avaśyakasūtra. Yet it has found place among the Agamas. This is a peculiar feature of the Anuyogadvāra. Its opening portion definitely corroborates Āc. Jinabhadra's view. Moreover, it presents valuable evidence for the connection of the Nandi with the śāstras. Not only that but its description of the Yoganandi tallies with the form of the same as found in this Volume. Thus it is established that the Nandi occupies the position of mangala in the beginning of the study of the Āgamas and also that it points out the connection of a particular śästra with jñāna.
Why should we start our reading of the śruta with the Nandi ? A reply to this question is that the Nandi is bhava-mangala.35
32. “ got FouTCGT TCHÉESTIETTI
p or faut qft valu UTTE 11" Ibid., gā. 10 33. “ og vitatenT 307THUIT F I
भण्णति अकते संका तरसाणियमं च दाएति ।। णाणाभिधाणमेत्तं मंगलमिटुं ण तीय वक्खाणं । धमत्थाणे जुज्जति जं सा वीसुं सुतक्खंधो ।। इध साणुग्गहमुदितं ण तु णियमोऽयमधवाऽववातोऽयं ।
anufa FAUTIC For gfia91 11" Ibid., gã. 844-46 34. “Fagama HIT FH4H #Qui i
Elfe afraffe ait ar TIR 11" Ibid., gā. 3603 35. Ibid., gå. 78
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