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The **Shri Sutra Kritanga Sutra** is an ancient scripture of Jainism, known as **Agamas**. The word **Agama** refers to a specific stream of knowledge that has been passed down for a long time. **Agamas** are spoken by **Sarvagna Tirthankaras**, a long chain of **Tirthankaras** divided into units of twenty-four, connected to the **Utsarpini** and **Avasarpini** periods. The **twenty-fourth** and final **Tirthankara** of the current **Avasarpini**, **Lord Mahavira**, delivered the teachings that we have received in the form of **Jain Agamas**.
**Lord Mahavira's** main area of work was the region that is primarily part of present-day **Bihar**. At that time, the main languages spoken in North India were **Magadhi, Ardha Magadhi, and Shaurseni Prakrit**. **Magadhi Prakrit** was prevalent in **Magadh**, the southern part of **Bihar**. **Shaurseni Prakrit** was prevalent in the western part of North India, extending to the **Vraj Mandal** or **Mathura**. The language between **Magadhi** and **Shaurseni** was called **Ardha Magadhi**, which had characteristics of both **Magadhi** and **Shaurseni**. Therefore, it was a language that could be understood by people living in **Magadhi, Shaurseni**, and the intervening areas. It was a kind of **lingua franca** of the Prakrit region, which is called **Lingua-Fvanca** in linguistics. **Lord Mahavira** used **Ardha Magadhi** in his teachings. This is specifically mentioned in the **Samavayanga Sutra**.
The **Dasha Vaikalik Vritti** also states that **Tattvadarshis** (philosophers) presented the principles in **Prakrit** to benefit children, women, elders, and ignorant people who desired **charitra-dharmacharan** (righteous conduct). The main purpose of using **Ardha Magadhi** in religious teachings was so that the listeners could easily understand the teachings without any hindrance or need for an intermediary interpreter. The **Aavashyak Niyukti** mentions that **Arhat-Tirthankaras** explain the meaning, **Ganadharas** compile it skillfully in the form of **Sutras** for the welfare of the **Dharma Sangha** (religious community), thus establishing the **Sutras**.
The teachings delivered by **Lord Mahavira** and compiled by his chief disciples, **Ganadharas**, are divided into the following **twelve Angas**:
1. **Achar**
2. **Sutra Krit**
3. **Sthan**
4. **Samavay**
5. **Vyakhya Prajnapti**
6. **Jnata Dharma Katha**
7. **Upasaka Dasha**
8. **Antakrid Dasha**
9. **Anuttaraupapatik Dasha**
10. **Prashna Vyakaran**
11. **Vipak**
12. **Drishtivad**
**2.**
**Lord Mahavira** taught in the **Ardha Magadhi** language. This **Ardha Magadhi** language, spoken by **Tirthankaras**, became the language of all **Aryan** beings, including **humans, animals, birds, and reptiles**, for their own comfort and happiness. - **Samavayanga Sutra-34.22.23**
For the benefit of children, women, elders, and ignorant people who desire righteous conduct, philosophers presented the principles in Prakrit. - **Dasha Vaikalik Vritti, page 223**
**Arhats** explain the meaning, **Ganadharas** skillfully compile it into a **Sutra** for the welfare of the **Dharma Sangha**. - **Aavashyak Niyukti 92**
**3.**