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## Introduction
(From the First Edition)
The fundamental basis of Jainism, philosophy, and culture is the word of the Vitaraga Sarvagna. Sarvagna means the one who sees the self. Only those who see the self completely can see the entire universe. Those who know the whole can truly explain the knowledge of the elements. They can truly preach the path to liberation, which is beneficial to all.
The knowledge of the elements, self-knowledge, and proper conduct as stated by the Sarvagnas are known as 'Agam', 'Shastra', or 'Sutra'.
The word of the Tirthankaras is like a shower of free flowers. Great wise Ganadharas compile it in the form of Sutras and give it the form of a systematic 'Agam'.
What we call 'Agam' today was called 'Ganipitaka' in ancient times. 'Ganipitaka' includes the entire Dvadasanga. Later, its parts, sub-parts, roots, holes, etc. were divided into many categories.
There was no tradition of writing, so the Agams were preserved based on memory or through the Guru-Parampara. For almost a thousand years after Bhagwan Mahavira, the 'Agam' followed the tradition of memory. Due to weakness of memory, the breakdown of the Guru-Parampara, and many other reasons, the knowledge of the Agam gradually disappeared. The water of the great lake dried up, leaving only a small puddle. Then, Devarddigni Kshamashraman called a meeting of the Shramans and, with the holy purpose of preserving the knowledge of the Agam, which was disappearing due to memory errors, and preserving the word of the Jinas, made the historic effort to write it down. He made the word of the Jinas into a book and did an indescribable favor to future generations. This was an amazing undertaking to keep the stream of Jainism, philosophy, and culture flowing. This first compilation of the Agams was completed 980 or 993 years after the Nirvana of the Veer.
After being written down, the form of the Jain Agams was basically preserved. However, due to the defects of time, external attacks, internal differences of opinion, conflict, weakness of memory, and negligence, the pure stream of Agam knowledge and the proper Guru-Parampara of understanding gradually weakened. Many important references, words, and hidden meanings of the Agams became fragmented. The Agams that were written were:
1. "Attham Bhasai Araha Suttam Ganthanthi Ganahara Niunam."
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