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Introduction: This discussion not only provides a satisfactory solution to the question at hand, but also establishes the fact that Gunadhara Acharya was a complete master of the Maha-kamma-payad-ipahuḍ. Just as Gunadhara Acharya, witnessing the decline of knowledge of the Panchama Purvagata Pejjado-sapahuḍ in his time, deemed it appropriate to summarize it in the form of Kasaya-pahuḍ, similarly, Dharasena Acharya, observing the gradual disappearance of knowledge of Maha-kamma-payad-ipahuḍ in his time, and considering his short lifespan, decided to entrust it to Bhutbali and Pushpadanta for the sake of Shruta-raksha. This further confirms, beyond any doubt, that Gunadhara Acharya preceded Dharasena Acharya.
The style of composition of the Gatha-sutras, as evident to those who are authorized to study them, clearly indicates that they were written with the Uccarana-acharyas, Vyakhyana-acharyas, or Vachka-acharyas in mind, who were abundant at that time. These individuals were, in a way, Upadhyaya-parameshthis. If these Vyakhyana-acharyas, who delivered lectures, did not explain the inherent meaning of the Gathas to their disciples, did not reveal it to them clearly, then understanding their meaning would have been impossible. This is because many Gatha-sutras are merely interrogative, and instead of presenting the subject matter, they only hint at its presentation. Without the guidance of the Acharyas who have inherited the meaning from the Guru-parampara, it is impossible to grasp their meaning. The Gathas that are interrogative or in the form of Prichcha-sutras should be considered as a kind of notes, a list or table that serves as a reminder of the subject matter. The presence of terms like "Ev Savvatha Kayavvam" in the Gatha-sutras also supports this point. This is why the aforementioned Gathas, renowned for their association with Gunadhara, were passed down through the Acharya-parampara and reached great Vachkas like Aryamancha and Nagahastī, who were the most prominent, leading, or best among the Vachkas or Vyakhyana-acharyas of their time. This is the reason why Yativrishabha, from both of them, correctly understood the meaning of the Gatha-sutras.
Regarding the Churni-sutras of Kasaya-pahuḍ, according to the mention by Jayadhavala-kara, Shramana Yativrishabha, after correctly understanding the meaning of the Gathas of Kasaya-pahuḍ from Aryamanta and Nagahastī, first composed the Churni-sutras on them. This is also confirmed by the Shrutavatar of Acharya Indranandi. Both of them have referred to these Churni-sutras as Vritti-sutras. Although the Churni-sutras are mentioned thousands of times in the Dhavala and Jayadhavala commentaries, no characteristic of the Churni-sutras is evident. However, the characteristic of Vritti-sutras is definitely available in Jayadhavala, which is as follows:
"Suttasseva Vivaranae Sakhicha-saddarayanae Sangahisutta-sesatthae Vittisutta-vavaesado." (Jayadhavala, A.P. 52)
* Page 605, Gatha 85.
* "Punho tesim donha pi padamule asidisa-gahaanam gunahara-muha-kamala-virinag-gayanam atyam samm souna jayivasah-bhaḍaraena pavayaranavachalena chueina-sutta kaya." Jayadhavala, Bha. 1, Page 88.
- "Tena tato yatipatina tadgatha-vritti-sutra-rupena. Rachitani shat-sahasra-granthanyatha churni-sutrani." Indranandi, Shruta, Shloka 156.
+ "So vittisutta-katta jai-vasaho me vara deuu." Jayadhavala, Bha. 1, Page 4.