Angsuttani Part 03 - Nayadhammakahao Uvasagdasao Antgaddasao Anuttaraovavai Panhavagarnaim Vivagsuya

Author(s): Tulsi Acharya, Nathmalmuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 34

In this way, from the view point of various fables, insertions, illustrations, descriptions, anecdotes and word-usages, this Āgama has a great value. A comparative study of it with that of the different fable-works found the world over may well give some new facts.
UWĀSAGADASĀO
The title
The present Āgama is the seventh Anga of the Dwādaśāngī. It has the biographies of ten Upāsakas (lay devotees), therefore, it is called as 'Upāsagadasão'. In the śramaņū order the laymen serving the Sramaņas are called sramaṇopāsakas or Upāsakas. Lord Mahävira had large number of Upāsakas. It comprises of ten 'Adhyayanas' depicting the life of ten principal Upāsakas. The Content
Lord Mahāvira has given twofold code of conduct, such as laws of conduct for Munis and laws of conduct for Upāsakas. Five Mahāvratas (great vows) were postulated for a Muni and twelve Vratas (vows) for a Upăsaka. Śramanopāsaka Anand was consecreted and initiated to his cult by him. The list of the Vratas is an excellent code of conduct pertaining to religious or ethical life. Even today, it has the same utility as it had 2500 years ago. As long as the weakness of human nature is there, its utility will always exist.
The code of conduct for Munis is found in many Agamas but the code of conduct for laymen is found in this Agama only. It has, therefore, its own place in the codes of conduct. The object of its composition is only to put forth the code of conduct for a layman. Incidently, Niyatiwāda has also been discussed nicely with its arguments for and against. Incidents, proving the religious touch-stone for the Upāsakas, are also found. It also throws light on the fact as to how lord Mahāvira took care of the accomplishment of the Upāsakas. and encouraged them to higher spiritual life from time to time.
According to the Jayadhawalā the present Agama narrates eleven-fold practices of the Upāsakas'. They are-Darśan, Vrat, Sāmayika, Pausadhopawā. Sacitta-Virati, Ratri-Bhojan-Virati, Brahmacarya, Arambha-Virati, Parigrahavirati. Anumăti-Virati, and Uddista Virati?, The Srāwakas, beginning from
1. Kasyapahuda, part i, pages 129-30,