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AUTHOR'S LIFE Very little is known at present of the life of the Author. His name was Umasvami, or, according to the Svetambara version Umasvatı. His spiritual descent is given below.
It is known that Umasvami renounced the world at the early age of 19 years. He remained an ascetic for 25 years. Then he became the head of ascetics (Acharya). From these we get the following brief sketch of dates in his life.
A very interesting story is told of how this Great Gem of a Jain sacred book came to be written.
In Gujarat (Saurastra) there lived a Jain layman, Dvaipayaka. He was a very pious man and withal learned in Jaina religious lore. He was anxious to write some really gieat Jain book. But worldly cares forbade the execution of such an inworldly undertaking. To conquer this obstacle, he made a vow not to take his food unless he had made at least one aphorism every day Thus if he missed adding one aphorism to his book any day he had to go fasting for that day. For the theme of his book he took Liberation. And put his resolve that very day in practice. He thought out a the first aphorism as a FR farfar # 4177. Belief-knowledgeconduct (united constitute) the path to Liberation. Fearing least he should forget it, he transcribed it upon a side of a pillar in his house.
Next day Dvaipayaka chanced to go away from his home on some business. In his absence his house was visited by a Saint
The wife of Dvaipayaka, herself a pious woman, received the Saint and entertained bim. The Saint's eyes fell upon the aphorism on the pillar. He thought over it for a moment and then added the word *** before it ; and departed.
When Dvaipayaka returned and saw the correction in his aphorism, he questioned his wife. She had not seen the Saint do it, and said so, but suggested to the husband that it must have been made by the Saint.
The layman-author on this ran at once to find out the noble Saint to whom he was indebted for such an invaluable and redical correction. He came upon an order of monks at the outskirts of the town and saw the head of the order sitting in his radiant peace.
