Gandharwad

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha

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kramana (Padikkamana ), (5) Kayotsarga ( Kāussagga ), and ( 6 ) Pratyakhyāna ( Paccakhkhāṇa). It should be noted that though all these sutras were dedacted into books by Ganadharas, they were originally preached by S'ramana Bhagvan Mahāvîra Swāmi.*
The Niryukti of the Avas'yaka Sutras had already been written by Sriman Bhadrabāhu Swami and a number of curnis (detailed commentaries) were also composed by various authors as commentaries on the Avas'yaka Sutras. Still, however, Jinabhadra Gani kṣamās ramana felt the need of ellucidating the original niryukti. He, therefore, composed a bhasya or commentary running in gathās or verses on the original niryukti of the Sāmāyika Sutras. Since this was an additional bhasya to various other bhasyas prepared by different authors, it was known as Vis'eṣāvas'yaka Bhasya or an Additional Bhāṣya to the Avasyaka (Sāmāyika) Sutras.
The whole work runs into 3603 Gathas or verses. The Vis'eṣāvas'yaka Bhāṣya could further be divided into various sub-sections such ass-Pithika, Varavarika, the Upasargas, the Sāmācāri (of ten varieties), Ganadhara-vada, the Ganadharas, the Ninhavas, S'eṣa Upodghata, Niryukti, and a-svādhyāya Niryukti. Of these, Ganadhara-vada is one of the most important sub-sections, as it deals with the discussion between S'ramana Bhagavan Mahavira Swami and his ganadharas (or principal disciples) on various philosophical topics such as the existence of Jiva, Karma, Pāpa, Punya and Mokṣa etc.
(b) Commentaries.
Three commentaries are said to have been written on the text of Vis'eṣāvas'yaka Bhasya. The author himself is
4. Vide केण कयंति य ववहारओ जिणिदेण गणहरेहिं च । तस्लामिणा उ निच्छ्रयनयस्स तत्तो जओऽणणं ।। ३३८२ । ( विशेषावश्यकभाष्य )