Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
**Light of Knowledge**
The Jain Agamas hold a significant place in ancient Indian literature. Numerous new facts related to history, philosophy, society, culture, Ayurveda, geography, and astrology are scattered throughout this literature. To reveal the profound mysteries of the Agamas, the first commentary literature was written, named Nirukti. This literature, which explains the word or subject in a concise style using the method of deposition, contains many new facts within itself.
1
Acharya Tulsi's awakened wisdom dreamt of a well-organized compilation of the Agamas. Inspired by him, many enlightened saints, including his disciple Muni Nathmalji (present Acharya Mahapragya), joined this great endeavor, and gradually, around 100,000 pages of Agamic literature were edited and published, including the original text of the Agamas, commentaries, translations, and lexicons. Jain Vishva Bharati had the privilege of publishing this magnificent work, for which it is deeply grateful to the revered ones.
In today's convenience-oriented age, the arduous task of editing ancient texts from manuscripts holds special significance. Jain Vishva Bharati has already published two volumes of Nirukti literature. The second volume related to the necessary Nirukti is being published, and before that, the fourth volume, named Pindanirukti, is reaching the hands of scholars. The present Pindanirukti text deals with the faults related to the diet and begging practices of the Sadhus. This text also highlights many important cultural and social aspects incidentally. A significant aspect of the editing of this text is the attempt to separate the Nirukti and commentary, which are written in the same language and style. To make this text accessible to the public, the translation work was done by Agam Manishi Muni Shri Dulharajji. Earlier, Muni Shri had translated many voluminous texts. Even today, he is constantly engaged in the worship of Shruti like a steady yogi. Even in a state of physical ill health, his steady yoga keeps him focused on Agamic work.
Samani Kusumprajnaji has been involved in the editing of Agamic commentary literature for the past 28 years. Such work is impossible without subtle intellect, firm determination, intense concentration, and vibrant life energy. Samani Kusumprajnaji has not only provided textual variations from about 6 manuscripts but has also written many important footnotes. The 21 appendices included in the text highlight its importance.
Jain Vishva Bharati is extremely happy to publish this important text. Congratulating Muni Shri and Samani Ji for this momentous work, I wish that their journey of Shruti continues uninterrupted for the propagation of the Jain religion in the future, and Jain Vishva Bharati continues to deliver the ancient wisdom to the masses. The institution family hopes that this publication, like previous publications, will prove to be extremely useful in the eyes of scholars.
Surendra Chordia
President