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- 39 - He has rationalized Jain scriptures and paved the way for a profound study of Jain philosophy by writing numerous sections on various subjects.
(झ) Gani Yashovijaya is different from Vachak Yashovijaya. His time is unknown. There is currently no other historical information about him. The only work attributed to him is a Gujarati commentary on the Tattvartha Sutra. It is not known whether he has any other writings. Judging by the language and style of the commentary, he seems to belong to the seventeenth-eighteenth century. Two noteworthy characteristics of his work are:
(1) Just as scholars like Vachak Yashovijaya and others from the Shvetambara tradition have written commentaries on Digambara texts such as the Ashtasahasri, Gani Yashovijaya has written a commentary that elucidates the meanings of the Sutras on the complete meanings acknowledged by the Digambara text. While writing the commentary, wherever differences or disagreements between the Shvetambara and Digambara traditions arise, he has interpreted them according to the Shvetambara tradition. Although the text is Digambara, the interpretation reflects a Shvetambara perspective.
(2) Until now, Yashovijaya Gani is regarded as the first to write a commentary on the Tattvartha Sutra in Gujarati, as no other writings on the Tattvartha Sutra in Gujarati have come to light so far.
It is certain that Gani Yashovijaya is from the Shvetambara sect, as there is a mention at the end of the commentary, and another strong proof is his Balavabodh commentary. The differences in the text and the Digambara perspective:
1. “Thus, the Tattvartha Sutra by Shvetambara Acharya Shri Umaswami, the Balavabodh by Shri Yashovijaya Gani has been concluded.” - Written commentary in the manuscript collection of the initiator, Shri Kantivijaya.
2. There is a minor exception in accepting this, for instance, in verse 19 of chapter 4, he did not take it from the Digambara text.