'A' etc. alphabetic letters, are eternal and not created by any body. Writing of their shapes is of many types as per one's will but the spoken alphabets are always found used alike everywhere. Therefore, it is said
.
The meaning of this is that the group (tradition) of alphabets is self-existent and
created from those alphabets are the words which render true meaning (of the
objects), the name of their group is the Shruta (scripture), so that also is
eternal. As Jiva - this is an eternal word, it indicates the Jiva
(the soul substance). Thus there are various words capable of rendering their own
true meanings; the group of those words is to be known as Shruta (scripture).
Further, as the pearls are self-existent, out of those someone taking a few pearls,
someone taking many pearls produces the ornaments by arranging them in the way he
likes. Similarly, the words are self-existent, out of those someone taking a few
words, someone taking many words produces the book by arranging them in the way he
likes. Here I am also going to create a book by arranging those words conveying true
meanings as per my knowledge. I am not going to keep in this book the words
conveying false meaning imagined by me. Hence, this book is authentic.
Question: How does the tradition of those words exist up to the creation of this book?
Answer: Since eternity Kevali Tirthankaras are being found; they know each and every thing; hence they know those words and their meaning also. Furher through Divya Dhwani (revelation) of those omniscient Tirthankaras such discourses are found by virtue of which other Jivas (capable souls) attain the knowledge of words and their meanings; according to that Gandhara- Devas (Head Acharyas monks) create the Granthas (sacred books) in the form of Anga-Prakeernakas and according to those books other Acharyas prepare various types of books. Some people study them, some narrate them, some listen to them. Thus, the traditional path continues.
Now in this Bharat-Kshetra presently the Avasarpini-Kala is prevailing. During this time 24 Tirthankaras were born; amongst them Shri Wardhamana Swami was the last Tirthankara. He being omniscient, preached Jivas (all living beings) through the medium of Divya-Dhwani (divine-speech). Through the instrumentality of the opportunity of listening to it, the Ganadhara Acharya named Gautam having known its subtle and intricate meaning composed the Anga-Prakeernakas (Sacred books) out of compassionate feeling. Thereafter, Wardhamana Swami attained salvation. After some time in this fifth era, three Kevalis (omniscients) were found: (1) Gautam (2) Sudharmaacharya (3) Jambu Swami. Thereafter, due to bad times, occurrence of omniscients stopped, but for some time Shruta-Kevalis (the knowers of all 12 Angas, i.e. complete scripture) were available and thereafter their availability also came to an end. Further for some time more the knowers of a few Angas only were found. Later on their availability too came to an end. Thereafter, the Acharyas wrote scriptures (sacred books) on the basis of scriptures written by Anga-knowers. In this tradition more scriptures were written and their prevalence continued. In them also, due to bad times, many books (Granthas) were destroyed by wicked persons and due to discontinuance of study, the important books (Granthas) were lost, but some of the great Granthas are still found; because of feeble knowledge their study became difficult. For example, in south India near Gommatta Swami (Shravanbelgola) in Moodbidri town (near Mangalore) the Dhawala, Mahadhawala, Jai Dhawala, etc. Granthas are existing but are available for adoration (Darshan) only. However, many other Granthas which are still available are within the reach of our knowledge for study but amongst them too only a few Granthas are being studied. Thus, in these bad times the highest Jaina religion underwent the state of downfall, but through this tradition even now in Jaina-Shastras (sacred books of Jains) the existence of words conveying true meaning is continuing.