The terse, aphoristic verses of Samayasāra are intentionally pointed toward the pure nature of the soul, yet this very concision can render the text difficult to penetrate. Commentaries serve first of all to unpack Kundakunda’s dense language, clarifying technical terms and drawing out the implications that are only hinted at in the root text. They explain key distinctions such as substance, qualities, and modes, and carefully articulate the difference between the ultimate standpoint and the conventional standpoint. In this way, what might otherwise appear as abstract or paradoxical statements about the soul become intelligible and philosophically precise.

At the same time, the commentarial tradition situates Samayasāra within the broader landscape of Jain thought. By connecting its verses to other scriptures and doctrines, commentators show how Kundakunda’s teaching on the pure, unattached soul fits into the established categories of Jain metaphysics and logic. They address apparent contradictions, especially where the text seems to negate ethical conduct or karmic law, and demonstrate how these teachings are to be understood without undermining the empirical validity of moral discipline and causality. This contextualization turns a highly inward-focused work into a coherent part of a larger philosophical system.

Another vital contribution of the commentaries lies in their attention to spiritual practice. They do not leave the doctrine of the pure soul at the level of theory, but translate it into guidance for contemplation, right view, and inner transformation. By explaining how to discern “I am soul” amidst the flux of body, emotions, and karmic conditions, they bridge the gap between metaphysical insight and lived experience. In this way, the text becomes not only an exposition of truth but a manual for self-realization.

Finally, the diversity of commentarial voices enriches the reception of Samayasāra across generations. Works by figures such as Amritachandra and Jayasena offer complementary perspectives and alternative readings of difficult passages, while still preserving the central thrust of Kundakunda’s teaching. Through their linguistic clarification, doctrinal elaboration, and practical orientation, these commentaries transform a compact set of verses into a comprehensive guide to Jain soteriology and the path of knowing the soul as it truly is.