Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
A great part of Jain āgamas is Dravyānuyoga. An in-depth explanation of substance or existent is available in this branch of study. The substance that can be cognized through intuitive knowledge is quite difficult to be cognized by a person endowed with sensuous perception only. Due to this limitation of sensory perception, we perceive the substances through their modes. Modes of the substances keep changing one after the other continually with time. So, there is always a scope open for research. On that basis, the relevance of the āgamic phrase 'Appanā saccamesejjā' is attested.
Samani Mangal Pragya has conducted a research work on the few topics of Jain āgamas. Some of its passages are worth reading - 'This text (Bhagavatī) is the representative book of Lord Mahavira's metaphysics and ontology. It is difficult to find the profound expression of the personality of Lord Mahavira in other āgamic literature as it is presented in Bhagavatī. Walter Schubring states that 'No other text highlights the picture of Mahavira's character and activities as distinctly and clearly as the Viāhapannatti does.' Maurice Winternitz is also of similar opinion. He writes that Bhagavatī gives a more vivid picture of the Lord's life, actions, his relationship with the disciples, his relation with the people coming into his contact and the whole picture of personality, than such facts found in any other text. The subjects and contents of this āgama are very wide and significant.
Samani Mangal Pragya has a good study in Jain āgamas and philosophy. Hence, in this research, the concepts available in the agamas had been appropriately analyzed. 'Gross to subtle' is a maxim of progress. So, be her conscience dive deep into such researches and explore the subtle truths.
Acharya Mahapragya
28 April, 2005
Anuvibha
Jaipur
