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BEFORE YOU BEGIN STUDYING
AGAMA SASTRAS.
In the Āgama, Lord Mahāvīra has revealed astonishing mysteries of this universe. Āgama Šāstras are extremely pious and invaluable. Therefore, as mentioned in Śāstras, one must take extreme care while reading them. Fundamental scriptures (Mool Sūtra) cannot be read by anyone at any time. It is necessary to obtain permission from the Guru before reading any Āgama Šāstras. One must become worthy of reading the Āgama. The shāstras specify the time and time limit of reading the Āgama. They also mention which Āgama can be read when and at what time of the day. Agama cannot be read in the following circumstances; If one
sees a falling star, if there is a fire in the immediate vicinity, if there are unseasonal
rains, if there is thunder and lightning in the sky, if there is a hail storm, in foggy, weather, within hundred metres of a crematory ground, during solar and lunar eclipses, in places smelling of stool or urine, in a country where the king has been declared dead, at dawn and dusk, mid-afternoon and midnight etc. (including certain akāl- banned days tithis). Only after getting appropriate guidelines from the Guru, should one read the Āgama. Swādhayāya (Sajhāi) means learning the scriptures and sūtras. The learned Achāraya advocated not reading the scriptures on certain days and certain times, such days and time are called akāl. There are twelve akāls. If one has committed the sin of disrespecting the scriptures then one should confess to a Guru and sincerely ask for repentance. One should always
respect the Āgama.
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