Universal Message of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Dulichand Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 70

Appendix II
Jainology*
"Salutations to the conquerors of the 'Self' Namo Arihantāṇam; obeisance to those who have won eternal blissNamo Siddhāņam; praṇāms to revered Acaryas (heads of Sanghas) - Namo Āyariyāṇaṁ; respects to preceptors (teachers)Namo Uvajjhāyāṇam; reverential homage to all Sādhus - Namo Loye savvasahūṇam” - a well-known Jaina prayer.
Jaina scriptural wisdom are hailed as Śruta (transmitted scriptural wisdom: of 'Śrutis), Sūtra (aphorisms) or, more popularly, as Āgamas. These embody the teachings of Tirthankara (Lord) Mahāvīra conveying the message of universal love, compassion and brotherhood.
To the question asked to him by Indrabhūti Gautama, the first and foremost Gaṇadhara - "What is the essence of being?" Lord Mahāvīra replied succinctly: 'Everything is born; everything perishes inevitably; everything is also permanent'- Uppannei vā, vigamei vā, dhuvei vā. This celebrated answer is known as Tripadi (the 'three-fold wisdom') on the basis of which the principal scriptures of the Jaina religion have been unfolded to the followers. These are known as Angas (limbs) -
1. Acārānga, 2. Sūtrakṛtānga, 3. Sthānāṁga, 4. Samavāyāṁga, 5. Vyakhyāprajñapti (Bhagavati), 6. Jñātādharmakathā, 7. Upāsakadaśānga, 8.Antakṛddaśänga, 9. Anuttaraupapātika, 10. Praśna-vyākaraṇa, 11. Vipäka, and 12. Drṣṭivada (now extinct).
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The Indian Express, 23 March 1994