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Tattvärthasūtra
The Scripture (agama) is the Word of the Omniscient Lord, elaborated upon by learned and extraordinarily accomplished ancient preceptors (pūrvācārya). It has the doctrine of non-absolutism (anekanta) as its hallmark. Each object-of-knowledge (jñeya or dharmi) comprises infinite attributes (dharma). Comprehending one particular attribute is the subject of naya or standpoint. Synthesis of different standpoints is achieved by employing the doctrine of conditional predications (syādvāda the particle 'syat' means 'in a way') wherein every standpoint is able to retain its relative importance. The Scripture is inviolable, reveals the true nature of reality, universally helpful to the living beings, and potent enough to destroy all forms of falsehood. It has the power to vanquish all anxieties and inquisitiveness of the knowledge-soul aspiring to tread the path to liberation.
I have only tried to assimilate and then translate into English, faithfully and without adding or subtracting anything, what has already been expounded in the Scripture. Both, Tattvārthasūtra' and 'Sarvarthasiddhi', contain specific Jaina terms for which there are no English equivalents. One such example is the term 'manaḥparyayajñāna'. The word 'telepathy', which is grossly inadequate to portray the scope and power of manaḥparyayajñāna, has been used in the translation. To partially subvert this shortcoming, at most places, the specific Sanskrit terms are indicated along with the English translation.
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With a sense of fulfilment, I present this treatise in the hands of the worthy readers. The sense of fulfilment has emanated from the process rather than the product. The process has helped me in washing off, abundantly, the dirt of delusion and misapprehension that had been clinging to my soul from infinite time past. If the product does the same for even a single soul, the mission stands accomplished.
October 24, 2018, sarad pūrṇimā Dehradun, India
(xxvi)
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- Vijay K. Jain
