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TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA
ched in ślokavārtika; nay, in many cases the ślokavārtika discussion is more extensive than the corresponding performance of Sarvārthasiddhi and Rājavārtika. And the discussion of so many topics is altogether a novelty of Slokavārtika. If the philosophical expertise of Rājavārtika is characterized by elaborateness then in ślokavārtika an element of subtelity appears in addition to this element of elaborateness. Certainly, Rājavārtika and ślokavārtika are two of those few works belonging to the Jaina literature which are truely important. Among the commentatorial texts related to Tattvārthasūtra that we find in the whole Śvetāmbara literature there is not a single one which can stand comparison with Rājavārtika or ślokavārtika. The ordinary philosophical expertise observable in the bhāsya becomes somewhat deep in Sarvārthasiddhi, it becomes particularly intensified in Rājavārtika and gets thoroughly entrenched in ślokavārtika. A historical minded student of Rājavārtika and ślokavārtika can easily see that in the Southern India there came a time of philosophical learning and competition and there was developed a multifarious scholarship, a situation which we find mirrored in these two texts. These two Vārtikas are an adequate means for an authoritative study of Jaina philosophy; but of these Rājavārtika, being in prose, easy and detailed is such as serves whatever need might be served by the entire lot of commentary-texts. Certainly, had these two Vārtikas been not composed then the excellence developed and reputation gained by the Digambara literature by the tenth century would have remained incomplete. Even if sectarian in character, these two Vārtikas are in many respects such as should occupy a place of prominence in the Indian philosophical literature in general. A perusal of them throws a historical light on so many topics and so many texts pertaining to the Buddhist and Vedicist traditions.
(C) Two Vịttis
Having got briefly familiarized with the commentaries composed on the original aphorisms it is now time to do the same about the commentaries composed on these commentaries.
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