Soul Science Part 02

Author(s): Parasmal Agrawal
Publisher: Kundakunda Gyanpith

Page 20

XVIII
Preface Before the beginning of any auspicious task the following verse is recited by Digamber Jains. Even on wedding cards many devotees print this verse.
Mangalam Bhagawan Viro , Mangalam Gautamo Gani. Mangalam Kundakundadyo , Jain Dharmostu Mangalam.
This verse says that Tirthankar Mahavir, Ganadhar Gautam and Acharya Kundakund are auspicious. In this verse, recitation of the name of Acharya Kundakund just next to Lord Mahavir and his chief disciple Gautam reveals a lot about the status of Acharya Kundakund in the eyes of modern and ancient saints, scholars, and common people of Digamber Jain community. In this regard, it would also be appropriate to mention that in Jain temples on almost every Digamber Jain idol (Jin Pratima) having engraved details of its establishment, one would find the citation that this idol belongs to the tradition of Acharya Kundakund.
Amongst about 84 scriptures of Acharya Kundakund, today we possess a very few, and among all his scriptures five are considered as the-five-supreme-scriptures. Names of these five are: Pravachansaar, Niyamsaar, Panchastikaya Sangrah, Ashtapahud, and Samayasaar. It may be appropriate here to introduce these scriptures in brief:
Pravachansaar - It describes the source, function, nature, and holiness of omniscience, objects of the cosmos, helplessness and hopelessness of worldly pleasures, virtuous deeds, bliss, and the humble inspiration to be a decent monk.
Niyamsaar – This scripture is especially written for self-inspiration. It contains splendid blend of internal and external nature of monks. Six essentials (Aavashyak), deep meditation (ParamSamadhi), the supreme devotion (ParamBhakti), etc. have been elaborated from the real point of view (Nishchay Naya). In the end, Acharya Kundkund describes the knowing nature of omniscient Lords from the real as well as relative point of view.