According to the Jain tradition (especially as preserved in Śvetāmbara sources):

1. What Sthulabhadra actually knew

- Ācārya Bhadrabāhu was the last Śrutakevalī (knower of all 14 Pūrvas). - His disciple Ārya Sthūlabhadra learnt: - The full meaning of only 10 Pūrvas, and - For the last 4 Pūrvas, he was given only the text/words, not the detailed arth (meaning).

1. Why the last 4 Pūrvas were restricted

- Once, after gaining powers from the Pūrvas, Sthūlabhadra used them to show a miracle (changing his form to a lion to impress his sisters). - Ācārya Bhadrabāhu felt this was misuse of very powerful scriptural knowledge, which is meant only for self-purification, not for display. - Because of this, Bhadrabāhu: - First refused to teach him further, - Then, on strong request from the Saṅgh, agreed only on strict conditions: 1. Sthūlabhadra would not be taught the meanings of the last 4 Pūrvas, only the wording. 2. He would never pass on these last 4 Pūrvas to anyone else.

1. So why didn’t he reveal what he knew?

- He did not reveal the last 4 Pūrvas because: - His guru had clearly forbidden him from teaching them to anyone. - He himself did not fully know their meanings, only the text. - In Jain Dharma, guru‑āgñā (obedience to the teacher’s command) and responsible use of knowledge are extremely important. Breaking that command would be considered a serious spiritual fault.

1. Spiritual reason behind this restriction

- The Pūrvas, especially the last ones, are said to contain very deep and powerful topics, including methods that could lead to: - Pride, - Desire for powers (ṛddhi-siddhi), - And possible spiritual fall, if misused. - To protect future generations from misuse and to preserve the true purpose of śāstra (liberation, not miracles), Bhadrabāhu limited their transmission, and Sthūlabhadra faithfully followed that limitation.

So, Sthūlabhadra did not reveal all that he knew about the Pūrvas out of obedience to his guru and to prevent misuse of extremely powerful spiritual knowledge.