Agam 01 Ang 02 Acharanga Sutra Part 02 Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

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Acharya Shri Atmaramji M. is also of the opinion that this Agam was written by Ganadhars. He has cited irrefutable arguments in favour of this
Dashavaikalika Sutra was compiled 58 years after the nirvana of Bhagavan Mahavir by Shayyambhava Suri. It appears that he had before him the second Shrutaskandha of Acharanga Sutra; and he seems to have translated the Pindaishana Chapter of this, in verse in the fifth chapter of Dashavaikalika Sutra bearing the same title. Chhajjivanikaya, the fourth chapter of Dashavaikalika Sutra, is based on the 15th chapter titled Bhaavana; and Suvakka Suddhi, the seventh chapter is based on Bhasajata, the fourth chapter. This proves that at the time of Shayyambhavacharya this Shrutaskandha already existed. Besides this, the mention of Bhaavana, its 15th chapter, is also found in Samavayanga Sutra and Prashna Vyakarana Sutra. In Jambudveep Prajnapti also there is a mention that Bhagavan Rishabhdeva preached five great vows with twenty five bhaavanas for ascetic practices. This too is an affirmation of the Bhaavana chapter of the second Shrutaskandha.
Similarly, in the Sthananga Sutra the descriptions of four pratimas (self-regulations) each of shayya (bed and place of stay), vastra (clothes), patra (pots) and.sthan (place) follow the pattern of Acharanga. In the seventh sthana (chapter) the mention of seven pindaishanas (exploration of food) (etc.) is another evidence of the antiquity of this Sutra. Regarding all these evidences it can be said that it is not possible to find mention from Agams written by sthavirs, who belonged to the later period, in the Agams written by Ganadhars, who belonged to the earlier period. Thus it becomes evident that the second Shrutaskandha of Acharanga Sutra is a work of a Ganadhar. (preface of Acharanga by Acharya Shri Atmaramji M.) PLENTIFUL CULTURAL INFORMATION
In Acharanga a variety of information about ancient Indian culture is also available. For example, the descriptions of Indramaha,
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