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## The Primal Word
(From the First Edition)
Among the world's philosophers and visionaries/thinkers who have contemplated 'Self-Existence' or achieved self-realization, they have also extensively pondered the means and methods of self-development for the benefit of others. Their contemplation and discourse on the soul and its related aspects are today known by various names like Agam/Pitaka/Veda/Upanishad.
Jain philosophy holds that the afflictions of the soul - attachment, aversion, etc. - can be overcome through spiritual practice. When these afflictions are completely eradicated, the soul's powers of knowledge, bliss, and energy are fully revealed and illuminated. The complete illumination and development of these powers is called omniscience, and the words/utterances/pronouncements of an omniscient/liberated being are known as "Agam." Agam means the scripture/sutra/divine word that imparts true knowledge, self-knowledge, and proper conduct.
Generally, the words/utterances of an omniscient being are not compiled; they are like scattered flowers. However, exceptional omniscient beings with extraordinary qualities, who establish the path of Dharma, and who establish spiritual practice in the monastic life, are called Dharma-founders/Arihants or Tirthankaras. The benevolent words of the Tirthankara are compiled by their highly learned disciples, the Ganadharas, into the form of "Agam" or scripture. In other words, when the free rain of words like flowers of the Jinas is collected into a garland, it takes the form of "Agam." This Agam, the words of the Jinas, is the primary source of self-knowledge or liberation-knowledge for all of us.
In ancient times, "Agam" was called "Ganipitaka." The entire body of scriptures in the form of the Arihants' discourses is contained in the twelve-fold scripture (Dwadashanga), and from the twelve-fold scripture/Acharanga-Sutrakritanga, etc., many subdivisions and sub-subdivisions have developed. The study of the twelve-fold scripture is considered essential and beneficial for every seeker. The twelfth part of the twelve-fold scripture is considered a vast and comprehensive repository of scriptural knowledge, and its study is only possible for seekers with exceptional talent and scriptural knowledge. Therefore, the study of the eleven-fold scripture is prescribed for seekers, and everyone's focus has been on this.
When there was no tradition of writing, and the means of writing were very limited, the Agams/scriptures were preserved through memory or by memorizing them through the Guru-parampara (lineage of teachers). Perhaps this is why Agam knowledge is called Shruta-gyan (knowledge acquired through hearing), and why meaningful words like Shruti (hearing) and Smriti (memory) are used. For a thousand years after the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira, the knowledge of the Agams was based solely on the Smriti/Shruti tradition. Later, due to the weakening of memory, the breaking of the Guru-parampara, the effects of calamities, and other reasons, Agam knowledge gradually disappeared. The water of the great lake dried up, leaving only a puddle. This was a cause for concern for the seeker Shramanas, but it was also a challenge to their thinking and awareness. They became determined to preserve the treasure of Shruta-gyan. At that time, the great Shruta-paragami (master of scriptures) Devarddhigani Kshamashraman called a gathering of learned Shramanas, and to address the loss of knowledge due to memory lapses,