तत्त्वार्थ सूत्र (मोक्षशास्त्र - संस्कृत सूत्र एवं हिन्दी व्याख्या)

PREFACE Āchārya Umāsvami was the Chief Disciple of Āchārya Kundkund – the most revered Āchārya in the duṣṣama division of the present descending cycle of time, whose works have been possible to document and preserve. Āchārya Umāsvami lived in the second century AD.¹ The above cited work states that a special feature of Āchārya Umāsvami's Tattvārthsūtra is that it is the first Jaina scripture written in the Sanskrit language. Most learned and venerable Āchāryas including Shri Pujyapādasvami, Shri Akalankasvami, and Shri Vidhyanandisvami have written extensive commentaries on Tattvārthsūtra. Sarvārthasiddhi, Rājavārtika, Ṣlokavārtika, and Arthaprakāṣika are all commentaries on this scripture. The work is of great value for the beginner as well as for the learned. Its composition has great charm. Each Sūtra is composed in least possible words and can easily be memorized. Many Jains recite these Sūtras. In his Foreword to Reality Professor A. Chakravarti writes: Sarvārthasiddhi by Shri Pujyapāda is the oldest extant commentary on Tattvārthādhigama Sūtra by Shri Umāsvami. It is noted for its depth of thought and simplicity of expression. This famous work is a compendium of all aspects of Jaina Religion and Philosophy. The author's literary skill is evident in the charm and beauty of his style. His mastery of philosophic thought is clear from his lucid exposition of the complex reality. The greatness of the work can be realized from the fact that the great logician, Shri Akalanka Deva, thought it fit to base his well-known commentary of Rājavārtika on Sarvārthasiddhi.² (vi)