In the Digambara tradition, it is believed that the original Jain Āgamas (scriptures) were completely lost a few centuries after Bhagwan Mahavir’s nirvana. Therefore, Digambaras do not accept the present Śvetāmbara Āgamas as fully authentic, and they follow their own scriptural tradition, called Siddhānta.

In very simple form, the main Digambara scriptural base is:

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1. Two core ancient texts (considered closest to Āgama)

1. Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama (Shatkhandāgama)

- Meaning: “Scripture in Six Parts” - Composed by Āchārya Puṣpadanta and Āchārya Bhutabali. - Very deep text on karmas and the soul. - Highly respected and often called the “first” Digambara Āgama.

1. Kaṣāyapaḥuḍa / Kaṣāyapāhuda (Kasāyapahuda)

- Composed by Āchārya Guṇadhara. - Deals mainly with kaṣāyas (passions like anger, pride, deceit, greed), which bind karma to the soul.

On these two, great Āchāryas like Vīrasena and Jinasena have written very large commentaries (Dhavalā, Mahādhavalā, Jayadhavalā), which are also part of the Digambara scriptural tradition.

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2. The “Four Anuyogas” (Four Scriptural Streams)

Later Digambara scriptures are grouped as 4 Anuyogas (four types of exposition). These are very important in practice:

1. Prathama Anuyoga (Dharma-kathā Anuyoga) – Stories and History

- Contains Jain versions of Rāmāyaṇ, Mahābhārata, and universal histories. - Examples: Padma Purāṇa, Ādi Purāṇa, Harivaṃśa Purāṇa, Uttarapurāṇa, etc. - Purpose: Inspire dharma through charitra kathā (religious stories).

1. Cāraṇa Anuyoga – Conduct

- Texts explaining right conduct for monks and householders. - Examples: Mūlācāra, Ratnakaraṇḍa Śrāvakācāra, etc. - Purpose: How a sadhu and śrāvaka/śrāvikā should live.

1. Karaṇa Anuyoga – Cosmology & Mathematics

- Texts describing loka (universe), time, geography, numbers, etc. - Purpose: Understand Jain view of the structure of the universe and time.

1. Dravya Anuyoga – Philosophy

- Deep philosophical texts on tattvas, dravyas, soul, bondage & liberation. - Very important here are the works of Āchārya Kundakunda, like: - Samayasāra - Pravacanasāra - Pañcāstikāya - These are core spiritual guides in Digambara tradition.

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3. Shared but Interpreted Differently: Tattvārtha Sūtra

• Tattvārtha Sūtra of Āchārya Umāsvāti is respected by both Śvetāmbara and Digambara traditions.
• Digambaras study it with their own commentaries and interpretations, in line with their doctrinal positions (like nudity of monks, role of women in liberation, etc.).

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4. Summary (Very Short)

• Digambaras believe the original Āgamas are lost.
• They do not accept the current Śvetāmbara Āgama collection.
• Their main scriptural base is:

- Ṣaṭkhaṇḍāgama and Kaṣāyapahuda (very ancient, closest to Āgama). - Four Anuyogas – stories, conduct, cosmology, and philosophy. - Great later works like Kundakunda’s texts and others.

• Together, these form the Digambara Jain Siddhānta.

You can read a simple explanation of what scriptures Digambaras follow here