Disclaimer: This translation does not guarantee complete accuracy, please confirm with the original page text.
The **Shri Sutra Kritanga Sutra** states that the Lord is **matiśālī** (wise). **Mati** is the knowledge of all substances, and those who possess such knowledge are called **sarvajña** (omniscient) or **kevalajñānavan** (possessing perfect knowledge), **matimaan** (wise) or **matiśālī** (wise). Although there have been many **kevalajñāna** (omniscient) holders, the epithet **matimaan** is used here with an extraordinary meaning, denoting a **tīrthankara**. Among the **tīrthankaras**, Lord Mahavira is the most recent. Therefore, this epithet refers to him here. Lord Mahavira narrated the **śrutacāritramūlaka dharma** (religion based on scriptures and conduct).
How did he do it? In response, it is said that he, knowing the nature of the substances of the world through **kevalajñāna** (omniscience), took from them the substances worthy of being taught and narrated the religion. The Lord, addressing the first man to hear the religion, said that this man could be capable of accepting which substance. Who is he? To which deity or guru is he devoted? In whom does he have faith? What philosophical doctrine does he follow? Having determined these facts, he narrated the religion.
Alternatively, it is the opinion of those who practice religion that the Lord addressed each of us individually when he narrated the religion. The religious teachings given by the Lord are transformed into the language of all beings at the same time.
What kind of religion does the Lord preach? In response, it is stated that the Lord preaches a **ṛju-avakra** (straight, not crooked), simple religion, i.e., he describes the true nature of things as they are. He does not preach like the Buddhists and other proponents of other doctrines. Buddhists accept all substances as **kṣaṇika** (momentary), which leads to two flaws in their doctrine: **kṛtanāśakīya** (destruction of what has been done) and **akṛtābhyāgama** (arrival of what has not been done).
Therefore, they accept the doctrine of **santānavāda** (theory of continuity). They consider plants to be **acetan** (inanimate), **chetana-rahit** (without consciousness), and **prāṇa-rahit** (without life). They do not cut them themselves, but they preach about cutting them, etc. Although they themselves do not touch **kāṛṣāpaṇa** (copper coin), **rupaya** (silver coin), **paisa** (coin), **hiraṇya** (gold), **suvarna** (gold), etc., precious metals, they have them collected by others and have them bought and sold.
Similarly, **sāṅkhya** proponents consider all substances to be **apracyuta** (indestructible), **vināśa-rahit** (without destruction), **anutpanna** (unborn), **utpatti-rahit** (without birth), **sthira** (stable) in nature, and **nitya** (eternal). By believing this, **karma** (action) does not bind, and **mokṣa** (liberation) is not achieved. Fearing such a flaw, they believe that all substances appear or disappear. This belief is **kauṭilya-bhāva-kuṭilita** (deceitful). Lord Mahavira, avoiding such deceitful sentiment, narrated a religion that is **avakra** (straight), **sarala** (simple), **tathya** (true), and **satya** (truthful), by which the soul is **samyak** (properly) established in **mokṣa** (liberation) or the path to **mokṣa** (liberation), made fit to progress towards it. That is called **dharma** (religion). Alternatively, the Lord narrated the **dharma** (religion) and its **samādhi** (concentration), i.e., **dharma-dhyāna** (meditation on religion), etc.
**Shri Sudharma Swami** says to his followers: "You people listen to the **dharma** (religion) or **samādhi-sādhanā** (practice of concentration) that Lord Mahavira taught. The man who does not desire worldly and otherworldly happiness as the fruit of his **tapascaraṇa** (austerity) is truly a **bhikṣu-upajīvī-bhāva-bhikṣu** (true ascetic). He is the one who...