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## Introduction
In every religious tradition, sacred texts hold a significant place. Just as the Vedas are important for Hindus, the Tripitaka for Buddhists, the Avesta for Parsis, the Bible for Christians, and the Quran for Muslims, the **Agam literature** holds the same position and importance for Jains.
Although the **Agam** in the Jain tradition are not considered **apaurusheya** like the Vedas, nor are they considered divine messages delivered through a prophet like the Bible and the Quran, they are a compilation of the words of **Arhats** and **Rishis** who attained the light of truth through their spiritual practices and purity.
While the **Angasutras** in Jain **Agam** literature are attributed to the **Tirthankaras**, we must remember that the **Tirthankaras** are merely the speakers of the meaning. In other words, they present thoughts or ideas, which are then given a verbal form by the **Ganadharas** or other enlightened **Acharyas** or **Sthaviras** to create the text.
The Jain tradition, unlike the Hindu tradition, does not place as much emphasis on words. It considers words as merely a means of expressing thought. In its view, it is not the word but the meaning (**tatparya**) that is paramount. Due to this lack of emphasis on words, the **Agam** texts of the Jain tradition have undergone linguistic changes over time and have not remained intact in their verbal form like the Vedas. This is why the Jain **Agam** literature later divided into two branches: **Ardhamagadhi Agam literature** and **Shourseni Agam literature**.
The **Ardhamagadhi Agam literature** is not only older but also closer to the original teachings of Mahavira. The development of **Shourseni Agam literature** is also based on these ancient **Agam** texts of the **Ardhamagadhi Agam literature**. Therefore, **Ardhamagadhi Agam literature** is the foundation of **Shourseni Agam literature** and is also older than it.
Although this **Ardhamagadhi Agam literature** is also... 1. '**Attham bhasai araha sutam ganthanti ganha - Aavashyakaniyukti, Gatha 92**.