In Jainism, the question “Who wrote the Āgams?” is answered in a very specific traditional way:

1. Real “author” – Tirthankars (e.g. Bhagwan Mahavir)

- The meaning (arth) of all Āgams is from the Kevaljnani Tirthankars. - They are omniscient and free from attachment and aversion, so their teachings are accepted as perfect and faultless. - Therefore, from the Jain viewpoint, the spiritual author of the Āgams is the Tirthankar.

1. Ganadhars – who gave it sutra (text) form

- The Tirthankar gives discourses. - His principal disciples, called Ganadhars, listen, understand the full meaning and then compile it into sutra form. - So: - Meaning (arth) – by Tirthankar - Words / Sutras (shrut) – arranged and composed by Ganadhars

1. Later Acharyas and Sthavirs

- After the time of the Ganadhars, many Acharyas and Sthavirs (elders) preserved, organized and expanded the scripture tradition: - They memorised, recited and taught the Agams generation after generation. - They composed Anga‑bahya (non‑Anga) texts, niryuktis, bhashyas, churnis, tikas (various types of commentaries and explanations). - In the Śvetāmbara tradition, councils (vachans) were later held where Acharyas like Devardhigani helped fix and write down the Agams in a stable form.

1. Difference in traditions (Śvetāmbara / Digambar)

- Śvetāmbara: - Accept a preserved canon of Agams (Angas, Upangas, etc.) as written down at Vallabhi. - Digambar: - Hold that the original Agams were lost with time; later texts like Śatkhandāgama, Kashāyapāhuda etc. preserve the true doctrine. - But both agree on the basic principle: - Tirthankars gave the omniscient teaching - Ganadhars and later Acharyas gave it the form of scripture

So, in simple words:

• Bhagwan Mahavir and other Tirthankars are the source of the teachings.
• Ganadhars “wrote” (compiled) the Agams in sutra form.
• Later Acharyas preserved, arranged and commented on them.

You can read a related discussion about Agams and their language here: