Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana, Rajkumar Jain, Purushottamsingh Sardar
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 16

Jnatadharmakatha, Upasak-dasha, Anuttaraupapatik-dasha, Vipak, Niryavalika and Antakriddasha Sutra fall in the Kathanuyoga category because they abound in stories and biographies.
Subject-matter-This Agam contains interesting description of spiritual practices of 90 pious souls. Generally it is believed to be a tap-intensive Agam. But when we consider this Agam as a whole it becomes evident that it assimilates all such virtues as austerities, meditation, gaining knowledge and clemency while defining the path of liberation. It informs that
• 18 ascetics including Gautam Kumar attained liberation by practicing 12 Bhikshu Pratimas and Gunaratnasamvatsar tap.
• 14 ascetics including Aneeksen Kumar have qualified for liberation by acquiring the knowledge of 14 Purvas and practicing the simple tap of a series of two day fasts to shed their karmas.
. Seekers like Arjunamali attain liberation just by practicing tap of a series of two day fasts for six months and lofty attitudes of discipline, clemency, tolerance and fortitude.
• Child ascetics like Atimukta Kumar get liberated after leading a long ascetic life acquiring knowledge and practicing Gunaratnasamvatsar tap.
Ascetic Gajasukumal gets liberated without studying scriptures and attaining the lofty state of shukla dhyana (pure meditation) with extreme endurance and equanimity during his short ascetic life lasting just a day and a night.
Nanda, Kali and other queens destroyed their karmas by rigorous practices of tap during their long ascetic lives.
Thus an apt assimilation of the combined practices of all branches of spiritual practices, including tap, discipline, self-control, clemency and meditation, leading to liberation can be found in this Agam. The Ideal of this Sutra
At every step in the study of this Agam springs an intense inspiration to indulge in tap, clemency and pure meditation. Besides this, unique inspirations from some special and ideal characters show us some ideals worth emulating. For example
1. To have strong faith in religion, attitudes of appreciating virtues and graciously supporting religious activities like Vaasudev Shrikrishna.
2. 'The initiation of eight principle queens of Vaasudev Shrikrishna gives inspiration to reject mundane indulgences and accept renunciation.