32 AAGAMS IN JAINISM The word "Jain" has originated from the word "Ji". "Ji" means "to win". Those who have completely won over attachment, passion and malice are called Jain. According to the command of the Almighty. Jain are those who try to win over attachment, passion and malice in oneself. The sermon of Almighty good is knitted in the form of "Sutras" by gandharvas and is called "Jainagam". Jain Agam literature is the origin of other Jain literature. The code of conduct depicted in Jain Agam is the path towards world peace. The untiring efforts of Jainacharyas have bought to us the sacred Agam tradition and we have to maximize its spread. It is the sacred responsibility of each and every person who has faith in Jain Shashan that the society understands and accepts this tradition. Every Jain Tirthankar has attained the purity of soul by penance and restraint, make life and birth meaningful. When four karmas (1) Gyanavarniya Karm (2) Darssharavarniya Karm (3) Mohniya karm and (4) Antrai karm are completely won over, the sould of tirthankara attains Keval gyan and Kevaldarshan. Thus, they themselves become Agam. The word Agam originates from "Aa" Upsarga and "gam" dhatu. Tirthankar cannot say each emotion that he sees through Kevalagyan. Therefore, Agam is the limited collection of emotions of Kevli, whichj are formed into sutras, siddhants of shastras by gandharvas. Each Agam is the essence of the devotion of tirthankar. It is the life line of the entire Jain sashan in the absence of Tirthankar. It is the support of chaturvidh Shree Sangh. It is the religious book of the entire Jain community. There are 32 Agams in the Sthanakvasi Sect. A short introduction of different subjects of Agams is as follows : (1) SHREE ACHARANGA SUTRA : In this Agam, the pure life spirit and the non-ending (endless) power of the spirit and soul are depicted. In a similar mamer, the power of five stavasa (1) Earth (2) Water (3) Fire (4) Air and (5) Vegetation is depicted. The life of Mahavir Swami shows the path of achieving the eternal destiration by true understanding, faith and behaviour. (2) SHREE SUIGADANG SUTRA (Shree Sutrakrutand Sutra) : In this Agam, the thoughts of other sects of religion have been criticised and the theory of holyness of Jain Darshan have been prefessed. Other important instructions like the importance of staying in Gurukul for a devotee, to
leave behind wordly goods, to practice restrain have been depicted in this Agam. (3) SHREE THANANG SUTRA (Shree Sthananaga Sutra): In this Agam, all the items from one to ten are depicted in detail. "Seven Naya," The speciality of Jain Darshan helpful in arriving at a compromise between internally oppotite thoughts. For example, all the creatures of this universe are same in the matter of internal power and Therefore Materialistically, The spirit is one but the position of different creatures is different and therefore, the spirit in innumerable. (4) SHREE SAMVAYANG SUTRA : In this Agam, the objects are depicted in numbers – One, Two, Three, Hundred, Thousand, Lakh, Crore,. The information of the position of living and non giving objects of the world is given here. (5) SHREE BHAGVATI SUTRA : This is an auspicious Agam. In this Agam, the conversation between Mahavir Swami and first Gandharva Gautam Swami has been depicted. In this Agam, There are 36000 questions asked by Gautam Swami and others and answered by Mahavir Swami. All the material objects, knowledge of atoms and planes have been mentioned here. (6) SHREE KNATA DHARMA KATHANG SUTRA : Deep knowledge of Jain Darshan has been explained in this Agam using live stories and occasions. Even the common reader can understand the gist of dharma by reading these interesting stones. (7) SHREE UPASAK DASHANG SUTRA : Among the innumerable shravakas that were these in the era of Mahavir Swami, there were 10 whose life is an ideal for shravakas. The detail narration of these to Sharavakar is given in this Agam. Even without taking diksha, how can one do maximum dharma and make the best use of this life as human being. The path to attaining this is depicted here. (8) SHREE ANTGADH SUTRA : In this Agam, the life of 90 people, who have attained moksha in the same life in described. By reading this Agam, one would have no desire for worldly things, and would more towards attaining moksha. (9) SHREE ANUTAROVAVAL SUTRA : In this Agam, the life of those human beings have been depicted who have attained Devlok through restrain and penance. One undergoes restrain and penance to nullity Karma. Even by doing so, one attains punya and gets to Devlok., from there, he will definitely go to Moksha. (10) SHREE PRASHNA VYAKARAN SUTRA : Five reasons to for Kamabandhan are depicted here