Amritchandra (12th century) emerges as the pioneering guide through Niyamasara’s terse verses. His Vrtti unpacks Kundakunda’s pithy lines, showing how discipline isn’t just about external vows but about turning inward—taming passions, uprooting karmic impressions, and cultivating samyama (self-restraint). By carefully defining each niyama, Amritchandra connects the dots between abstract theory and the day-to-day disciplines that pave the way to liberation.

Hemraj’s Teeka takes a more practical tack, tailoring Niyamasara’s lofty ideals to the life of a householder. Rather than lofty renunciation alone, Hemraj highlights subtle “micro-austerities”—shorter meals, calibrated speech, and moment-to-moment mindfulness—to keep the soul on track without retreating to the forest. His commentary is like a friendly nudge: spiritual progress can happen in the marketplace as well as the monastery.

Sixteenth-century scholar Vijay offers a fresh twist, weaving in contemporary examples from his time—ritual protocols, temple observances, and even the role of charity. By illustrating how inner and outer austerities dance together, Vijay shows that genuine purification demands both silent contemplation and active service. His Bhashya feels less like dusty scholasticism and more like a conversation over tea about walking the ethical tightrope.

Modern voices have stepped in as well. A 2023 study from the Jain Academy for Comparative Ethics highlighted how these medieval commentaries remain surprisingly relevant for today’s mindfulness movement. At the 2024 International Jain Conference in Mumbai, scholars pointed out that Amritchandra’s distinctions between internal niyama (prayashchitta, samayika, dhyana, and anupreksha) and external ritual still resonate with contemporary seekers craving an ethical compass in a noisy world.