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## Antakritdasangasutra: A Translation
**Dasha**
The second component of the name, "Dasha," is a word with two established meanings in Jain culture:
(1) "Dasha" refers to the journey from the state of worldly enjoyment (bhogavastha) to the state of yoga (yogavastha), in other words, the continuous progress towards purity.
In this sutra, every Antakrit sadhaka (practitioner) continuously progresses towards purity. Therefore, this text primarily describes the state of Antakrit sadhakas, hence the name "Antakrit Dasha."
(2) "Dasha" also refers to an Agam (scripture) that contains ten studies (adhyayan).
This Agam has eight sections (varga). The first (adi), fourth, fifth (madhya), and eighth sections (ant) each contain ten studies. Thus, due to the presence of ten studies in the beginning, middle, and end, this Agam is also called "Antakrit Dasha."
**Ang**
The teachings of the Tirthankaras (liberated souls) had two aspects: word (shabda) and meaning (artha). The Tirthankaras' direct disciples could only grasp the meaning aspect. Therefore, Agams are also called "Ang" because they are the meaning aspect of the Tirthankaras' words. This text is also the meaning aspect of Lord Mahavira's words, hence the third part of its name is "Ang."
**Sutra**
All Jain Agams are considered "Sutra" because they are concise in words but vast in meaning. Therefore, the fourth component of this Agam's name is "Sutra."
Thus, the name "Antakritdasangasutra" is formed by combining these four components.
The significance of its name becomes evident through its study. While the glorious tales of those seeking liberation are found in other scriptures, this scripture focuses solely on the lives of those saints who ended the cycle of birth, aging, and death in this very life, or who attained the state of Siddha, Buddha, and Mukta (liberated) by ending the eight types of karma. This scripture describes the state of those who have ended the cycle of worldly existence forever, hence the name "Antakrit-Dashao."
Reading, reciting, and contemplating this scripture inspires every soul to strive for liberation. Therefore, it is a scripture of ultimate welfare. The "Upasakadasha" describes the ascetics who attain liberation after one lifetime, but this eighth Ang, "Antakritdasha," describes the superior ascetics who attain liberation in the same life. Therefore, it is a scripture of ultimate auspiciousness and holds a significant place in the lives of people.
The "Antakritdasangasutra" describes the state of those souls who attained liberation in their final breath but could not demonstrate the objects they saw through their perfect knowledge and perfect vision due to the remaining lifespan karma. Therefore, they are called "Antakrit Kevali."