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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Whil
Thile prsenting 'Shri Avashyak Sutra' to the readers, I am experiencing an immense happiness. I am associated with the task relating to translation, editing and publishing of the series of Illustrated scriptures for the last many years under the guidance of Shrut Acharya Shri Amar Muni Ji Maharaj. But in case of this canon, I had to discharge all the responsibilities more meticulously, while discharging this responsibility. I have realized how difficult is the task of translation, editing and publication of Agam. Still I have experienced a great satisfaction in it. I am feeling a great pleasure in being associated in this great task of reverend Gurudev.
It was heard that the blessing of the spiritual master can never go in vain. Earlier it was simply heard but now it has been experienced in life in this project of Agam Publication. Indeed in the blessings of gurudev lies the message of the omniscient.
Shri Avashyak Sutra is the last one among the thirty two Agams. It is at the end in this order because in it is the completion of the aphorism relating to purification of conduct as narrated in the thirty two Agams. Through meditation, study and practice of these aphorisms the spiritual practice of the person concerned becomes magnified and spotless. It is not essential to study other thirty one Agams daily. But the study and practice of this Agams is to be essentially done daily. Probably because of this fact, this Agam is called Avashyak. In the period of influence of first and the last Tirthankar, in case any jain saint (shraman) or shravak does not practice it in any evening or morning as defined in the code, he goes astray in spiritual practice. It is essential for every Jain monk and Shravak to recite it properly every day before sunrise in the morning and after sunset in the evening. No one is initiated in monkhood unless the person concerned has memorized Avashyak Sutra. This fact clearly defines the essential nature of this Agam.
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