About the Book Agama Ahimsa Samatā Evam Prakṛta Samsthana was established in January 1983 to commemorate the Rainy- stay (Varia vasa) of Acarya Sri Nanälälji Maharaja in Udaipur in the year 1981. The main objectives of the samsthāna are to prepare scholars of Prakṛta and Jaina Studies, to publish unpublished Jaina literature, to provide means of study to the desirous students of Jaina Studies, to get the treatises on Jaina philosophy, conduct and history, based on scientific research, prepared in order to preserve and promote Jaina culture and to organise lectures, discussions and ceremonies with a view to promote the spread of Jaina studies. The samsthäna is one of the major activities of Akhil Bharatvaryiya Südhumärgi Jain Sangha.

Preface In every faith scriptures occupy an important position amongst religious texts. Agamas enjoy the same position and importance in the Jaina faith as the Vedas in Hinduism, Tripitaka in Buddhism, Avesta in Zarthustism, the Bible in Christianity and the Koran in Islam. Althougi Agamas are neither considered as created by a superhuman entity or Apauruşeya as the Vedas are taken to be; nor are they considered to be the divine message handed down by any prophet as the Bible and the Koran are considered to be, but they are the compilation of the preachings of the most venerable Arhatas and saints, who had realized the truth and attained enlightenment through spiritual practices and soul- purification. Although the scriptures say that the Anga Sutras or Primary Canons or the foremost scriptures are considered to have been preached by the Tirthankaras or the Prophets - Propounders of the Jaina faith, we must remember that they preach only the meaning (Artha) i.c. they only present the thoughts or the ideas, which are then given the garb of words or codified into sutras (maxims or aphorisms) or canonical texts by the Ganadharas the principal disciples of Tirthankaras, Acaryas (masters) and other learned Sthaviras or elders or senior monks.'