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I
The *Jñatadharmakathā*, *Upāsakadashāṅga*, *Anuttaraupapātika*, *Vipākasūtra* and *Antakṛddashāṅga* sūtras have been constructed in this same style in the Āgamas.
There are two forms of words in the Ardhamagadhi language - *parivasati*, *parivasar*, *rāyavaṇṇato*, *rāyavaṇṇao*, *egabīsāte* *egabīsāe*. In this Āgama, the style of adopting the vowel-ending form is mostly used.
In the Āgamas, the ancient style of expressing the remaining text by means of a dot or a number at the end of a word, while adopting the style of abbreviation, is prevalent. This style was adopted in the *Antakṛddashāṅga Sūtra* published by the Āgamoday Samiti, but the *Antakṛddashāṅga Sūtra* published by the Shri Amolakṛṣi Ji Maharaj Smārak Granthamālā has adopted the style of giving the full text. This style is very convenient to read. Keeping this convenience in mind, we have also had to adopt the style of presenting the original text in full.
In this sūtra, descriptions of many austerities are found in their respective places. In the eighth chapter, the nature and methods of austerities are discussed in detail. Many types of establishment instruments for these austerities are found. We have tried to make all these establishment instruments attractive by giving them an artistic form.
The style of description of the present text is very systematic. It mentions the city, garden, *caitya*, *vyantarāyatana*, king, parents, *dharmacārya*, *dharmakathā*, prosperity in this world and the next, acceptance of gifts, giving of gifts, renunciation of enjoyments, *pravrajyā*, initiation period, study of scriptures, practice of austerities, *sanlekhanā* and *anta-kriyā* of each practitioner.
From the introduction of the practitioner characters described in the *Antagaddasa*, it is evident that in the reign of Śramaṇa Bhagavān Mahāvīra, people of different castes and classes had equal rights in the practice of austerities. On the one hand, where dozens of princes, princesses and *gāthāpati* were walking side by side on the path of practice, on the other hand, some neglected people of the lower castes were also coming to this field of practice with respect and advancing equally. Even those who were very young, like the *ati-mukta* child muni, and those who were considered to be the darlings of the royal palace, like *gaja-sukumāra*, also came to this field and attained liberation.
1
From the contemplation of the *Antagaddasa Sūtra*, it is known that by practicing the *guṇaratnasamvatsar* austerity, like the 18 munis like Gautama, and the *bhikṣu-pratimā*, the practitioner destroys his karma and attains liberation. Munis like *anīkasenādi* attained liberation by destroying their karma through the austerity of *bele-bele* while dwelling in the knowledge of the fourteen *pūrvas*. *Arjunamālī* attained liberation by practicing the austerity of *bele-bele* for only six months, with the predominance of *upasambhāva* - forgiveness. On the other hand, *ati-mukta* kumāra attained liberation through the practice of the *guṇaratna* austerity with knowledge, and *gaja-sukumāla* attained liberation only by the power of pure meditation, without studying the scriptures and without practicing austerities for a long time. This shows that meditation is also a great austerity. Queens like *kālī* etc. practiced austerities with restraint and attained liberation after a long time. Thus, some attained liberation through ordinary austerities, some through severe austerities, some through the predominance of forgiveness, and some others by throwing their karma into the fire of self-meditation.
*Antakṛt Kevalī*: A Bird's Eye View
Study
There are thirteen studies in the third chapter of this scripture. Except for *gaja-sukumāla*, all the other twelve studies have characters who are all knowers of the fourteen *pūrvas* and have attained liberation. All the characters in the fourth chapter are *dvādaśāṅgī*
[१७]