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Nishishasa: A Critical Study
-Upadhyay Shri Devendramuni
Jain Agam literature holds a unique place in Indian literature. The word Agam is derived from the prefix 'A' and the root 'Gam'. 'A' means complete and 'Gam' means motion or attainment. In Acharang Sutra, the word Agam is used in the sense of knowing. In Bhagavati Anuyogdwar and Stananga, the word Pragam is used in the sense of scripture. The great Mahamanishis have written various definitions of the word Agam. It is not possible to quote all those definitions here. In the commentary of Syadvadamanjari5, the definition of Agam is as follows: 'Aaptvakan is Agam. By treatment, Aaptvakan-born knowledge is also Pragam.' Acharya Malayagiri has written: 'That which gives complete knowledge of objects with limitations is Agam.' In Ratnakaraavtarika Vritti, the definition of Agam is: 'That which gives true knowledge of objects is Agam.'8 Jinabhadragani Kshamasraman has written while defining Agam: 'That which gives the right education is called scripture Agam or Shrutajnana.'
Pragam literature is the nectar of the thoughts of omniscient-all-seeing great men. This Agam literature is as vast and vast as the body of letters, it is even more adorned with the dignity of meaning. Where there is a predominance of philosophical thought, a profound analysis of Dravyanuyog, there is also a detailed description of the conduct and thoughts of Shramans and Shravaks, vows-restraint, renunciation-penance, fasting, atonement, etc. There is also proper use of stories to clarify the guru-serious secrets of religion and philosophy. In addition to these, the living
1. (a) "Agametta Pranavejja"-Acharang Sutra 115.4
(b) "Laghavam Agammane"-Acharang Sutra 116.3 2. Bhagavati Sutra 5.3.192 3. Anuyogdwar Sutra 42 4. Stananga Sutra 338 5. "Aaptvakanadaavibhrutamarthasanvedanamaagam, upachaaradaaptvakanam cha." -Syadvadamanjari Tika Shlok 38
"Pa abhividhina sakalashratavishayavyaaptirūpena, maryādāyā vā yathāvasthitaprarūpaṇārūpayā gamyanteparicchidyante arthāḥ yena saḥ āgamaḥ."
-Aavashyak (Vritti) Malayagiri "Pagamyante maryādāyā'vabuddhyante'arthāḥ anenetyāgamaḥ
-Ratnakaraavtarikavritti "Sasijjai jeṇa tayaṁ satthaṁ taṁ vā vivesiyaṁ nāṇaṁ. Pragam eva ya satthaṁ āgama satthaṁ tu sūyanāṇaṁ.।
-Visheshaavashyakbhaashya Ga.559