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This topic has been mentioned as an example. The object of it is to point out the fact that in this Agama hundreds of such topics, that cannot be understood by common sense, have been expounded. A few of them have been so far understood with the help of the modern scientific research and many of them can be accepted as tenets for experiments.
The activities of the subtle living-beings (Sakshma jiva) being perceiv ably proved, not only the biological doctrines are evolved, an opportunity to understand the doctrine of Ahimså, and side by side to review the behaviour towards the subtle living-beings, is provided also.
Lord Mahavira has expounded the five principal substances. They are named as Panchästikäya. in them dharmästikäya, adharmastikaya and äkäsästikäya, the three being formless are invisible. Though Jivästikäya too, being formless, is invisible, it is indicated by the activities of consciousness seen through the body. Pudgalästikäya, being concrete, is visible. The multiformity of our world is a result of the union of Jiva and Pudgala. A clear ascertainment of Jiva and Pudgala is found in this Agama to such a great extent as is not available in the old religious and philosophical works. The full text of the Agama is not available today, but whatever is available discusses thousands of queries. From the historical point of view, the chapters on Acharya Mankkhali Gosäla, Jamāli, Sivarajarși, Skanda Sanyasi etc. are of great importance. From the angle of philosophical discussion Jayanti, Madduka Sramaṇopasaka. Roha Anagara, Somila Brahmana, Lord Parswa's disciple Kalas-vesiya-putta, śrävakas of Tungiya City etc. are the topics worth reading. From the view point of Mathematics, discussions of Pariwa-patylya Gängeya Anägära are of great value.
In the age of Lord Mahavira, there were different religious cults. Cultic bigots were almost un-heard. Munis and Parivrajakas of one religious body went to engage themselves in philosophical discusssions with the Munis and Parivajakas of another religious body, and whatever was found to be accep table, was accepted freely. There are many contexts in this Agama to throw light on the true free-mindedness of religion prevailing in that age. In this way, with different view-points this Agama is a work, interesting to read, inspring of self-control and equilibrium and promoter of knowledge.
Divisions and Sections
According to Samawäyänga and Nandi Sutra, this Agama contains more than a hundred Adhyayanas,ten thousand Uddeśakas and ten thousand Samuddesakas1. The present volume of it differs from the said account. 1. Samawao, Sutra 93, Nandi, Sutra 85,
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