Jagmander Lal Jain Memorial Series, Vol. V.

THE SACRED BOOKS

JAINAS

THE ESSENCE OF THE SELF-IMPOSED LAW

original: नियमसार (Niyamsāra); "Niyama" refers to the path or rule, and "Sāra" means essence.

NIYAMSARA

original: Jiva

Bowing to the Vira Jina the "Heroic Conqueror," referring to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, who by his very nature possesses infinite and supreme knowledge and perception; I shall speak of the Essence of the Rule original: Niyama-Sára as it was spoken by the Kevalis perfected, omniscient beings and the Shruta Kevalis those possessing complete knowledge of the sacred scriptures. || 1 ||
original Prakrit: णमिऊण जिणं वीरं अणंतवरणाणदंसणसहावं । वोच्छामि णियमसारं केवलिसुदकेवलीभणिदं ॥ १ ॥
original Sanskrit: नत्वा जिनं वीरं अनन्तवरज्ञानदर्शनस्वभावम् । वक्ष्यामि नियमसारं केवलिश्रुतकेवलिभाषितम् ॥ १ ॥

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In this gátha a verse or stanza, specifically in the Prakrit language, Shri Kunda-Kunda Áchárya a revered 1st-century Jain monk and philosopher, who lived in the first century of the Vikrama Era an ancient Indian calendar beginning in 57 BCE, renders homage to the last of the twenty-four Tirthankaras literally "Ford-makers"; spiritual teachers who have crossed the river of worldly suffering and guide others to do the same, Lord Mahavira, also called Víra, and enshrines Him in his heart for the purification of his thoughts; so that he may be able to fulfil his undertaking successfully. Further, the Áchárya a spiritual teacher or head of a group of monks expresses it emphatically that whatever he will write will not be his own independent teaching, but will be fully based upon the authoritative pronouncements of the Kevalis and Shruta-Kevalis.