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INTRODUCTION
I am extremely happy because by the grace of Supreme Soul, the compassionate par excellence, as also of Rev. Bhuvanavijayaji Mahārāja who was my father and spiritual teacher as well, I am able to present before the lovers of Jaina Agamas the critical edition of the Jñātādharmakathā, the sixth of the twelve Anga works. While preparing this edition, I utilised many old manuscripts preserved in the Manuscript Libraries in the cities of Jesalmer, Patan, Cambay, Limbdi, etc.—the Manuscript Libraries which have been reorganised by Rev. Munirāja Punyavijayaji. I collated these manuscripts and scrutinised various readings yielded by them.
Authorship : The Svetāmbara ācāryas hold that Rev. Sudharmasvāmi, the fifth direct principal disciple of Lord Mahāvira, has composed this work.' On the other hand, the Digambara ācāryas maintain that Indrabhūti Gautamasvāmī, the first direct principal disciple of Lord Mahāvira, has composed the work. Thus ācāryas belonging to both the sects unanimously agree on the point that the composition of the work took place nearly 2545 years ago.
Title : In Prakrit the title of the work is 'Nāyādhammakahāo' while in Sanskrit it is 'Jñātādharmakathāh'. This is the view of the Svetāmbara ācāryas. According to the Digambara ācāryas, its Prakrit title is 'Nahadhammakahā' while its Sanskrit title is Uñātādharmakatha'.
The Jhātadharmakathā has two main parts. They are called Śrutaskandha. The first Srutaskandha contains nineteen adhyayanas (chapters), each presenting one udāharana (= jñātā=illustration). The second Śrutaskandha contains ten adhyayanas, each presenting one dharmakathā (=religious story). As the work contains jñātās and dharmakathās, it has been rightly given the title Iñātādharmakathā'. This view is upheld by the Svetāmbara ācāryas. The Digambara acāryas maintain that as the work contains the dharmakathās preached by the Lord (=nāha=nātha) of the three worlds or as it con
1. anuyogadväraviseșasyopakramasya pratibhedarūpam prakrāntaśāstrasya Virajinavarendrapekṣaya'rthata ātmāgamatvam tac chisyam tu pañcamaganadhara Sudharmasvāminam aśritya anantaragamatvam tac chisyam ca Jambusvāminam apeksya parampar āgamatám pratipipadayişuḥ athava anugamakhyasya trīyasyānuyogadvarasya bhedabhūtāyāupodghătaniryukteh pratibhedabhūtanirgamadvarasvabhāvam prastutagranthasyarthato Mahāvīranirgatatvam abhidhitsuh sūtrakārah te nam kale nam ityādikam upodghātagrantham tāvad adav aha" Jñātadharmakathangaţikā.
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