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Tattvartha Sutra is a sacred epitome of Jainism written by
Umasvami. It is recited by millions of mouths every day, in temples
and in private houses. Indeed, it is held that one recitation of
this book brings as much pious merit as a fast of one day. So it is
said
Umasvami the
author of Tattvartha Sutra renounced the world at the early age of
19 years. The remained an ascetic for 25 years. Then he became the
head of ascetics (Acharya). The was the most famous disciple of
universally worshipped saint Kunda Kunda. The relationship be spoken
Kunda Kunda and Umasvami is established by on scription No. 108,
written in 1365 Saka and found at Sravana Belgda.
According to
Sevtambara tradition, Umasvati was a pupil of Sri Ghosanandi Ksamana,
who was pupil of vachaka-mukhya Siva Sri.
The name of his
father was Svati, that of his mother Vatsi or Uma. The was born in
the town named Nyagrodhika. The composed his great work in Kusumapur
or Pataliputra, Now Patna in Bihar.
As to the 4 Division of Jaina Literature : Cosmology,
History, Philosophy and Ritual, Tattvartha Sutra has its place in
Philosophy (Dravyanuyoga). This book contains only 10 short
chapters, but its value is in inverse proportion to its size. It is
revered both by Digambara and Svetambara sections of the Jain
Community. The whole of Jaina Philosophy is taught in it. There is
no Jaina doctrine or dogma, which is not expressed or implied in
these aphorisms.
The book is an exposition of Seven Principles of Jainism,
i.e., the 7 Tattvas.
The opening Sŭtra serves the purpose of an
Introduction, Justification and Recapitulation of the whole book. It
was necessary to indicate the position of the principles (tattva)
in the whole range of Jaina knowledge. they are the subject-matter
of right belief, and the relation of the two cannot be appreciated
fully, unless we consider the position of right belief in the scheme
of Jaina Philosophy. This position is indicated by the first Sutra.
This brings us to the justification also. The first purpose of
everything living is happiness. Happiness to be worth anything must
be eternal, faultless and independent. Such happiness is identical
with the Jaina conception of liberation. Right belief in and right
knowledge of the seven principles, along with a life led in the
light of the knowledge, and firmly established on the basis of the
belief is the sole threefold path of final and everlasting
deliverance. Thus the first Sŭtra is a justification of
the book which deals with these basic principles of belief and
action. It is also recapitulation, because the whole book can easily
be seen to be merely an expansion of the various aspects, details
and developments of this mighty and all comprehensive Sŭtra of
Jainism.
The whole book consists of 357 Sŭtras, divided
into 10 chapters with 33, 53, 39, 42, 27, 39, 26, 47, and 9 Sŭtras
respectively.
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