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(and is capable of teaching him) is his teacher." This definition of the teacher may apply to a Rishi, an Arya or a Mlechchha." Vatsayana, the Nyaya Commentator, endorses the same view and says " An Authority is he who has directly observed the nature of things; is a teacher who is ready to give out what he has observed ; and through whom the nature of things can be observed. This is the common definition of all teachers, whether he be a Rishi, an Arya or a Mlechchha."
According to the Jainas, a teacher is either Human or Superhuman,---according as he gives instructions regarding matters mundane or matters supermundane and spiritually efficacious. Human teachers are one's parents, instructors and social superiors ; ' while the Superhuman Teacher is the Arhat or Tirthamkara Himself who reveals the true nature of things and shows the way to final emancipation. The words of the Tirthamkara are unimpeachable revelations of Truth and constitute the Jaina Agama or the Jaina Veda.
The Agama it would be seen, is regarded as an important source of Knowledge by the thinkers of the orthodox school also. But according to these, the Agama is the reputed Vedas of India (viz., the Saman, the Rik, the Yajus and the Atharvan). Yet again while
