Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
"The primary introductory world-benefactor, the universally revered Lord of Lords, the Tirthankara, the Supreme Being, has formulated this discourse to guide all living beings across the ocean of existence, to liberate them from worldly afflictions, diseases, and attachments, and to enable them to drink the nectar of liberation, the indescribable bliss, by freeing them from the bonds of karma that have existed since time immemorial. This discourse, being the means to ferry beings across the ocean of existence, is called a 'Tirtha'. The discourse is a Tirtha, and the Tirtha is a discourse. Because of creating this Tirtha in the form of a discourse, the Lord Arihant is called a Tirthankara. The discourse is in the form of the twelve-fold Ganipitaka. Although the discourse is timeless and infinite in its flow, it is considered the beginning for the specific Tirthankara. Therefore, by saying 'Namaste Tirthaya', even the Tirthankara, the Supreme Being, bows to the timeless and infinite Tirtha. Because of its use in the twelve-fold Ganipitaka, the four-fold order of monks is also called a Tirtha or discourse. This discourse formulated by the Tirthankara is in the form of the twelve-fold. The Lord Toयंकर, the Supreme Being, explains its meaning, and the wise Ganadharas compile it in the form of a sutra. This twelve-fold, taught by the omniscient, all-seeing Tirthankara, the Supreme Being, and compiled by the Ganadharas, the holders of fourteen previous births, is the form of the limbs of the Shruta-purusha. That which is not contradictory to this twelve-fold and is composed by the Shruta-sthaviras is the form of the limbs of the Shruta-purusha. From this perspective, Shruta literature is of two types: Anga-praveshta and Ananga-praveshta. That which is composed by the Ganadharas, which is in the form of an answer to a question, and which is fixed in the Tirtha of all Tirthankaras is called Anga-praveshta Shruta. The twelve Angas, from Pracharanga to Dastivada, are Anga-praveshta Shruta. That which is composed by the Shruta-sthaviras, which is in the form of free grammar without being asked a question, and which is not fixed in the Tirtha of all Tirthankaras is called Ananga-praveshta Shruta. For example, the twelve Upangas like Propapattika, etc., and the Mula, Chhedasutra, etc. 1. The Lord's teachings are said to be for the protection of all living beings, etc. 2. The discourse, which is comprehensive, encompassing the essence of the soul, etc., is the primary, excellent, and initial word, the twelve-fold Ganipitaka. - Visheshavashakabhashya, verse 1 commentary 3. The four-fold order of monks is also called a discourse, because of its use in the Ganipitaka, etc. - Visheshavashakabhashya, verse 1 commentary 4. The Ganadharas compile the teachings of the Lord, the Supreme Being, into a book. 5. The Ganadharas, the Therakas, or the free grammar, or the distinction between the permanent and the impermanent, or the knowledge in the Angas and the Upangas. - Visheshavashakabhashya, verse 550"