Samayasāra holds a foundational place in Digambara Jainism because it offers a remarkably clear and systematic exposition of the soul (jīva) as pure consciousness, entirely distinct from body, mind, and karma. It describes the soul’s essential qualities—knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy—and sharply contrasts these with all that is non-self (ajīva). By elucidating the distinction between the pure soul and its karmic modifications, it becomes a central doctrinal source for understanding bondage and liberation. This doctrinal clarity extends to themes such as the nature of consciousness, the relationship between soul and karma, and the process of spiritual purification. As a result, the text functions not merely as a philosophical treatise but as a touchstone for Digambara metaphysics and soteriology.

A distinctive feature of Samayasāra is its emphasis on the ultimate standpoint (*niścaya naya* or pure perspective), which focuses on the soul in its pristine, uncontaminated state. From this vantage, the text prioritizes direct experience of the pure self over external ritual, thereby shifting attention from outer observance to inner realization. It presents self-realization as the heart of the path to moksha, stressing that liberation depends on right understanding and inner transformation rather than on external acts alone. This interpretive framework elevates internal purification and detachment from worldly attachments, shaping both monastic discipline and serious lay practice within the Digambara tradition.

Samayasāra is also foundational because it serves as a practical manual for contemplation and meditation, not just an abstract doctrinal work. Its verses are used to cultivate constant discernment—recognizing “I am pure soul; all else is other than me”—and thus guide the aspirant through the inner process of recognizing true selfhood and loosening karmic bondage. Later Digambara ācāryas composed extensive commentaries on this text, treating it as a doctrinal anchor and drawing on it to interpret key concepts such as spiritual stages, pure versus impure knowledge, and the dynamics of bondage and liberation. Through this sustained engagement, Samayasāra has come to shape the very identity of Digambara Jainism, standing as an authoritative source that unifies its philosophical vision with its path of self-realization.