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स्वः मोहनलाल बांठिया स्मृति ग्रन्थ
COMMENTARY LITERATURE
we found an exhaustive commentary literature on the Agamas in the form of Niryukti, Bhasya, Curni, Tika, Vrttri, Vyakhya and others. These were solely written with the aim of making the study of Agamas simple and intelligible.
However, the Curnis were written in Prakrit as well as Sanskrit, the latter being more prevalent. The Niryuktis and Bhāṣyas were written in Prakrit. To make the subject lucid, the mode of stories too was adopted in different contents.
This mixed style of writing in both languages is known as Mani-Praval Nyaya. Just as in a garland of gems and corals, both can be differentiated, so also in the curnis, both Sankrit and Prakrit are easily distinguishable. The same style has been adopted in some Tikas too. Agama, Niryukti, Bhāṣya, Curni and Tika -These together constitute the Pancangi literature.
SIGNIFICANCE OF AGAMIC LITERATURE
The Agamic literature is important not only from the point of view of studying Jaina religion and philosophy, but also to understand the ancient Indian way of life. The Agamas give a complete picture of the social life, religious and spiritual exercises, education, trade and commerce, agriculture, law and order, crime and punishment, structure of society, villages, and cities, transport and communication, art and craft. etc. prevalent at that time. Ardhamāgadhi
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