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INTRODUCTION
14, p. 147). This branch originated from Ārya śāntiśreņika who is the fourth in descent from Śrī Ārya Suhastin Sūri who left this mortal world in Vīra samvat 584 (A. D. 57).
Materials for composing 'Tattvārthadhigama-sūtra and its gloss
Our celebrated author :Vācaka-mukhya Umāsvāti was singularly fortunate in inheriting the proficiency in the sacred 4āgamas, which form the seed, germ or essence of Jainism and which are fully respected by the Jainas as the highest, the most direct and unique authority in religious and spiritual matters. His tour in the Bihar and other districts and perhaps his birth in a Brahmin family helped him a great way in becoming thorough
1 Arya Suhastin Suri
Susthita
Supratibaddha
Indradinna
Dinna
Árya Sreņika
Arya Vajra
Arya Sinhagiri
2 This name is suggested by the author himself in the 22nd Sambandha. karikā. It is also designated as Tattvārtha by Śrī Devagupta Sūri in the very beginning of his commentary to Sambandhakārikās. Sri Malayagiri Sūri, too, has used this very title in his commentary to Prajñāpanā (vide my introduction in Sanskrit pt. I, p. 16) and in his commentary to Bịhat-kşetra-samāsa ; for, there he has said :" एतच्चाभिहितं प्रपश्चतस्तस्वार्थटीकायामिति नेहाभिधीयते।"
In his commentary to Jīvājīvābhigama sūtra (p. 9), he has however styled it as Tattvarthasūtra.
3 This is how he is often quoted by the subsequent writers. See Prasamarati. (v.1), vrtti-Gunasthānakramāroha, (v. 1)-vrtti and my Sanskrit introduction (pt. I, p. 20.)
4 The Jainas give to these the same importance and prominence as some of the other Hindus give to the Vedas.
5 See the 3rd couplet of the colophon.
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