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essence of entire Jaina sacred lore, hence the work of supreme importance and the best of Jaina study. Its thirtysix chapters contain the essence of the Jaina thought on almost every area of spiritual and moral issue. It contains material on all the four Anuyogas and its importance is all the more enhanced by the fact that it is one of the few Jaina scriptures that form the set of Sramaņa poetry. Thirty-five of its thirty-six chapters are in melodious metric verse. Most popular of the Jaina scriptures, it is
also known as the Jaina-Gītā. 2. Daśavaikālika - It is a compilation of the essential rules
of right monastic conduct in a nut-shell. 3. Nandīsūtra - This basic canonical work by Devavācaka
Gani is an expose on the right-knowledge. The subject of five kinds of knowledge -- sensory, scriptural, clairvoyant, telepathic and omniscience – has been dealt with in relation to their various aspects. It also contains the rolls of heads of monastic groups starting from Arya Sudharma right down to Devardhigani Kșamāśramaņa of
the Valabhi conclave fame. 4. Anuyogadvāra-Mainly explanatory in nature, this work
is considered to be an essential aid in the study of all the
primary and secondary canonical works. Four Cheda Sütras -
1. Nisītha – Niśītha enjoys the most important position
amongst the Cheda Sūtras (Disciplinary canons) that prescribes censures and atonement for various monastic
misdemeanours. 2. Vyavahāra - It is again a treatise, by canon omniscient
Bhadrabāhu, on the rules of monastic conduct that prescribes rules for seeking food (Pindaisaņā) by monks and nuns, monastic tours (Vihāra), repentance and
atonement for various infractions, etc. 3. Vrhatkalpa - This Cheda Sūtra is complementary to
SAMYAGJÑĀNA (THE RIGHT-KNOWLEDGE) : 159
