Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
91
It is a matter of direct knowledge. After the emergence of sectarian opposition, no significant alternative interpretation has been recognized by any Shvetambara Acharyas regarding the original sutras. Therefore, it is appropriate to discuss just those four interpretations here initially.
Before we reflect on these two commentaries, it is necessary to consider their original sutras. Although they are fundamentally the same, they have become bifurcated into two due to later sectarian divisions in their commentaries and causes. Among these, the Sarvarthasiddhi is known in one context as a Tumbirian and in another as a Digambar. The Shvetambara identity's sutra form aligns with the commentary and can be termed as a commentary-consistent sutra; while the Digambara identity's sutra form aligns with 'Sarvarthasiddhi,' hence can be termed Sarvarthasiddhi-consistent. All Shvetambara Acharyas adhere to the commentary-consistent sutras, and all Digambara Acharyas adhere to the Sarvarthasiddhi-consistent sutras. It is essential to understand the following four points regarding the sutras:
1. Number: The number of commentary-consistent sutras is 344, while that of Sarvarthasiddhi-consistent sutras is 357.
2. Despite discrepancies in the number of meanings and occasional variations in verbal construction, there are only three places where significant changes in meaning can be observed based solely on the original sutras; in other places, there is no significant change in meaning derived from the original sutras. These three instances pertain to the numbers concerning heaven, namely 12 and 16.