Within the Svetambara fold, the Agamas occupy a sacred spot as the very words of Mahavira, whispered by the omniscient Tirthankara himself and faithfully passed down through an unbroken oral lineage. Devotees picture these texts not as mere human scribbles but as divine revelations—etched into the collective memory of Jain monks and later committed to palm leaves. Every recitation feels like a heartbeat of a timeless message, carrying the same freshness today as it did centuries ago.

On the other hand, Digambara tradition holds that the original Agamas slipped through the cracks of history. What remains now are works of inspired scholarship, composed by later ascetics striving to capture Mahavira’s spirit. From this angle, the existing compilations resemble a masterful tapestry woven by dedicated hands—brilliant and profound, yet rooted in human effort to preserve a vanished oral treasure.

Modern technology has thrown new light on both perspectives. Digitization projects at institutions such as the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune and collaborations with UNESCO have turned fragile manuscripts into searchable archives. A recent conference at Harvard Divinity School even highlighted how AI-driven transcription tools help decode ancient Prakrit verses, sparking lively debates over whether such efforts lean more toward divine stewardship or human ingenuity.

Ultimately, the question of “divine” versus “man-made” often circles back to one’s own spiritual lens. For many, the Agamas breathe with a sacred energy that transcends their physical form; for others, they represent the pinnacle of human devotion and scholarship. Either way, these texts continue to guide countless seekers along the path of nonviolence and self-restraint, reminding everyone that sometimes the greatest truths emerge where heaven’s inspiration meets humanity’s dedication.