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## Introduction
(From the First Edition)
The fundamental basis of Jain religion, philosophy, and culture is the word of the Vitaraga Sarvagna. Sarvagna means one who has self-realization. Only those who have complete self-realization can have a complete vision of the world. Those who know the whole can truly explain the essence of knowledge. They can truly preach the ultimate good, the liberation.
The essence of knowledge, self-knowledge, and proper conduct as stated by the Sarvagnas is known as 'Agam Shastra' or Sutra.
The word of the Tirthankaras is like a shower of liberated flowers. The 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 known as 'Ganipitaka' in ancient times. 'Ganipitaka' includes the entire Dvadasangi. Later, its parts, sub-parts, roots, holes, etc. were divided into many categories.
When there was no tradition of writing, the Agams were preserved through the Guru-Parampara based on memory. For almost a thousand years after Bhagwan Mahavira, the 'Agam' followed the tradition of memory. Due to weakness of memory, the break in the Guru-Parampara, and many other reasons, the knowledge of Agam gradually disappeared. The water of the great lake dried up and only a small puddle remained. Then, Devarddigni Kshamashraman called a meeting of the Shramans and made a historic attempt to preserve the knowledge of Agam, which was disappearing due to memory lapses, and to preserve the word of the Jinas. He compiled the word of the Jinas into a book and did an invaluable service to the future generations. This was an amazing initiative to keep the stream of Jain religion, philosophy, and culture flowing. This first compilation of the Agams was completed 980 or 993 years after the Nirvana of the Veer.
After being compiled into books, the form of the Jain Agams was preserved in its original form. However, due to the passage of time, external attacks, internal differences of opinion, conflicts, weakness of memory, and negligence, the pure stream of Agam knowledge, the correct Guru-Parampara of understanding, gradually weakened. Many important references, words, and profound meanings of the Agams became fragmented. The Agams that were written were not completely pure, and those who could give the correct meaning of the Agams were rare. Due to many other reasons, the stream of Agam knowledge became narrow.
In the sixteenth century Vikram, Lokashah made a revolutionary effort. A bold initiative to explain the pure and true meaning of the Agams was started again. But after some time, obstacles arose again. Communal hatred, theoretical conflicts, and the lack of knowledge of language among the scribes became a major obstacle in the achievement of the Agams and their correct understanding.
1. "The meaning is explained by the Arha, the Sutras are compiled by the wise Ganadharas."
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