________________
First Anga
Out of twelve Angas, first is Ayaro. Ayāro is synonym of Acārānga. According to the Niryuktikara3, the first Shrutskandha of Acārānga scripture enjoys the first place because the Acārānga deals with the conduct of ascetics and the practice of three postulates - right perception, right knowledge and right conduct in pursuit of Mokṣa which is the essence of all. That is why the Acaranga is regarded to be the first and foremost amongst Angas. Hermann Jacobi has pointed out the similarity of archaic style and the linguistic stanzas of Veda and those of Acārānga, and has confirmed that the Acaranga is the first and the oldest canon of Jain tradition.
With the passage of time, it is believed that some portion of the text was lost; hence the text has been abridged to certain extent. Out of the nine chapters of the Acārānga, the seventh chapter, "Mahāparijñā”, has been lost in between the period of 1st and 8th century A.D.
Chapters
-
There are nine chapters in the Acaranga but there were some differences in the names as well as in the order. We find, the following order in the Ayaro, edited by Acharaya Mahāpragya.
1. Satthaparinnā - Comprehension and Abandonment of Weapons of Injury 2. Logavijao - Pondering over the Nature of World
3. Siosanijjam - Endurance of Cold and Hot
4. Sammattam - Right View
5. Logosāro The essence of the world
6. Dhuyam Shaking off Through Austerity
7. Mahāparijñā -The Great Comprehension and Abandonment
8. Vimokkho Liberation
9. Uvahanasuyam - The treatment of penance
- 72
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
