JAINISM IN SOUTHERN KARNATAKA

trnam brahmavidah svargastrnam shurasya jivitam

jitakshayasya trna nari nihsprhasya trnam jagat

Learned friends,

Jaya Jinendra

JAINISM IN SOUTHERN KARNATAKA (English) Upton 1565 AD
By Dr. Shakuntala Prakash Chavan

Foreword by B D Kane

2005 220 x 145 mm 324 pp + 16 colour plates

Deluxe hardcover edition Rs. 580

This brand new work traces the development of Jainism in South Karnataka from its emergence in this region, 4th century CE to 1565 CE.

Dr Shakuntala Chavan has examined various inscriptions, mss, literary works and monuments. She has reconstructed the historical events that came to pass and how they shaped the development of Jainism in this region.

Jainism is represented very strongly in well-organised centres such as Shravanabelagola, Mudabidri, Karkal, Venur and Humcha.

Chavan traces the evolution and history of these centres, and the bhattaraka tradition which has ensured the safety and continued well being of these centres of Jainism in South Karnataka.

She studies the unique contributions of the bhattaraka tradition, their scholarship, their role in preserving the Digambara scriptures given up as lost in the North.

She studies the history of region keeping in the context of the unique topography of Karnataka and how it played a key role in Jainism taking root in this area.

She has also presented a scholarly account of Jain religion and philosophy, the teachings of Mahavira, the role of Tirthankaras in Jainism, and the unique religious, ethical, linguistic, cultural, political and anthropological impact of Jainism on medieval India, especially on medieval Karnataka.

Chavan does not fail to appreciate the contribution made by various Jain scholars from the medieval to the modern era.

All in all, this is a brilliantly written book, well thought out, well planned and deeply researched. The colour pictures are beautiful and add value to the work.

A must for students of Jainism, Indology, religion, culture, anthropology and Indian history.

Dr. Chavan is Head, Department of History at Kolhapur. She specialises in the history of South Karnataka, as is evident.

The Contents

------------

Foreword - B.D. Khane

Preface

List of Illustrations

Acknowledgements

List of Abbreviations

Map of Jain Sacred Places in Karnataka

Transliteration Chart

INTRODUCTION

SRAVANABELAGOLA AS A JAIN CENTRE (FIRST PHASE)

RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF SRAVANABELAGOLA AS A JAIN CENTRE AFTER 981 AD (SECOND PHASE)

HUMCHA: THE CAPITAL OF SANTARA DYNASTY AND A SEAT OF GODDESS PADMAVATI

RISE OF JAIN CENTRES IN SOUTH KANARA DISTRICT: KARKAL, MUDABIDRI AND VENUR

BHATTARAKA AND JAINISM IN SOUTH KARNATAKA: SRAVANABELAGOLA, HUMCHA, MUDABIDRI AND KARKALA

EPILOGUE

Glossary

Appendices

Bibliography

Plates

Index

To order these books, please write to manishymodi@gmail.com

sarvatra shubhamastu

Manish Modi

HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY

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SAMADHITANTRA (Sanskrit-Hindi)

SAMADHITANTRA (Sanskrit-Hindi)

By Acarya Pujyapada

Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series Volume 5

Hindi translation by Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj

2006 220 x 140 mm 32 pp

81 88769 06 1 Softcover Rs. 30

EAN 9788188769063

Acarya Pujyapada, the Digambara mystic and pioneering Sanskrit grammarian, lived in the 6th century of the Common Era. Apart from his deep scholarship and mastery of the Jain doctrine, Pujyapada was a mystic and yogi.

He wrote from his spiritual experiences.

Hence, he penned some of the most important and pathbreaking works on Jainism. His treatise on Sanskrit grammar, the Jainendra Vyakarana commands wide respect till today as one of the best and most complete original works on Sanskrit grammar.

His Sarvarthasiddhi is the first independent commentary on the Tattvarthasutra and one of the most concise, establishing definitions that are standard.

His Samadhitantra is one of the first Jain works on spirituality in Sanskrit. And among the finest, most lucid works on mysticism produced by the shramana tradition.

In this work, he deals with the self, establishing it as being independent of the body, of gender, of all the non-self objects that one mistakenly associates with oneself.

The work is concise, has only 105 shlokas. The work is tight, beautifully crafted with not a word extra. The precision of the Acarya's thoughts is matched by the loftiness of his spirituality. Pujyapada, with this work, takes us to a world of tranquilness and serenity. Where there is no chaos, no mad rush for more, a world free of attachments and aversions.

A world where we drop all fears and biases, all desires and distractions...The world of the atma, the sublime, calm and peaceful. A world that is at once at peace with itself and completely conscious, immersed in the contemplation of itself and free of all disturbances.

Samadhitantra is a glimpse into the spiritual world of Pujyapada. A world where there is equanimity, calm and serenity.

The Hindi translation by Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj remains quietly in the background, not detracting from the pleasure of reading Pujyapada's simple but eloquent language.

Come visit this world of dhyana, j񡮡 and adhyatma. Read the Samadhitantra - A doorway to the world of tranquilness and serenity that arise out of truly knowing oneself.

Namo Vitaragaya

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FW: SHRI JINA TARANA TRIVENI

namah shri varddhamanaya nirdhutakalilatmane

salokanam trilokanam yadvidya darpanayate

Dear friends,

Jaya Jinendra

SHRI JINA TARANA TRIVENI

3 Dvatrimshikas by Taranasvami

Hindi translation in Prose by Br. Shitalaprasada

Hindi tranlation in Poetry by Br. Jayasagara

English translation by Dashrath Jain

2005 220 x 145 mm 134 pp

Hardcover Rs. 60

Students of Jain history will be familiar with Taranasvami, the 16th century mystic from Bundelkhand. Taranasvami was a lay scholar and spiritualist. He was known to his followers as Shrimad Taranatarana Mandalacarya.

He composed 14 works in a language that was a combination of Prakrit and Sanskrit. 9 of his works are in prose, 5 are poetry. Of these, 3 of dvatrimshikas have been chosen, along with his Chadmasthavani.

Hence the books has the following 4 works:

Pandita Puja

Malarohana

Kamalabattisi

Chadmasthavanisara

The first 3 works have an accompanying Hindi translation in prose, Hindi translation in poetry as well as an English translation.

This is followed by a conspectus of Taranasvami's Chadmasthavani, entitled "Chadmasthavani-Sara".

The book is very easy to read. The spiritual content is very important and Taranasvami is a unique personality in the subaltern history of Indian spiritualism.

His life and writings deserve serious study from the socio-anthropological angle as well as the ecclesiastical angle.

The book ought to be read by each and every Jain shravaka.

shramanopasako,

Manish

Email: manishymodi@gmail.com

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JAIN VANMAYA KA PARICAYATMAKA ITIHASA (Hindi)

namah shri varddhamanaya nirdhutakalilatmane

salokanam trilokanam yadvidya darpanayate

Dear friends,

Jaya Jinendra

JAIN VANMAYA KA PARICAYATMAKA ITIHASA (Hindi)

By Acarya Devendra Muni

Preface by T G Kalghatgi

2006 220 x 145 mm 765 pp

Hardcover Rs. 1600

Jainism is a pre-Aryan religion. It is one of the most ancient living traditions in the world. The strength of the Jain doctrine is such that doctrinally, Jainism has retained its attributes and characteristics for over many millennia.

Tirthankara Mahavira was the last Tirthankara of this era. His teachings emanated in the form of divya dhvani. These were composed into the Agamas by the Ganadharas.

600 years after the nirvana of Mahavira, the sangha split into two, the Digambaras, the sky clad male ascetics, and the Shvetambaras, the white clad ascetics.

Each of the two sects, though followers of the same religion, and adhering to the same doctrine, felt that it was their sect that had grasped the essence of the teachings of Tirthankara Mahavira.

Chiefly, they differed on the point of ascetic nudity, considered essential by the Digambaras but not so by the Shvetambaras; and as a corollary, whether women could attain moksha in the same birth (since both Digambaras and Shvetambaras have a tradition of white clad nuns).

Digambaras and Shvetambaras also differed on whether the Tirthankaras ate, spoke, etc. The Digambara held that a kevali, who was Vitaragi, would have absolutely no attachment to His body and hence would have no desire to eat, etc. The Shvetambaras felt that a Vitaragi could partake of food and wear clothes without feeling an iota of desire for the food and clothing.

These differences led to the gradual rift in the two sects, and each sect developed its own sacred literature. The sacred literature continued to be called the Agamas, or the Siddhanta Granthas.

The Shvetambaras held that of the twelve Angas originally preached, eleven had survived but the twelfth one was lost in the passage of time. The Digambaras held that only parts of the twelfth Anga of Mahavira's "Dvadashanga Vani" had survived, the earlier 11 Angas were lost forever.

Hence, the Digambaras composed the two root scriptures, the Shatkhandagama, or Scripture in Six Parts, and the Kashayaprabhrta, the Treatise on Passions. Also, the writings of early Digambara Acaryas like Kundakunda, Samantabhadra, Pujyapada, Umasvami, Akalanka Deva, Manikyanandi and many others are accorded the status of Agamas by the Digambara community.

The Shvetambaras held three recensions of the scriptures and considered that they had the authentic Jain scriptures. The last one was held at Valabhi in Gujarat in the 6th century CE under the leadership of Devardhigani Kshamashramana.

Learned Acaryas like Umasvami / Umasvati and Siddhasena Divakara are claimed by both the Digambaras as well as the Shvetambaras as their own.

Be that as it may, the Jains have a large corpus of works that they consider to be their Agamas, and both sects have devotees queing up to reverentially pay obeisance to their scriptures.

Acarya Devendra Muni, known for his ecumenical approach, considers the scriptures of both, the Digambaras as well as the Shvetambaras in this well organised and well researched encyclopaedic work on Jain scriptures.

As observed by T G Kalghatgi in his learned Preface, Acarya Devendra has given "a fairly coherent and comprehensive account of the Agama literature of the Jains without prejudice or pride concerning any section of the Jain community. It is a far presentation of all the aspects of the canonical literature
giving a panoramic picture of the literature of all shades of the Jain faith of the Digambara and Shvetambara sections"

The book is divided into seven chapters:

1. General Survey of Agama literature.
2. Analysis of Anga literature.
3. Study of the Angabahya literature.
4. Critique of the commentaries on Jain literature.
5. Study of Digambara canonical literature.
6. Comparative study of Jain canonical literature with Buddhist and Hindu sacred literature.
7. Subhashitas gleaned from the Jain scriptures.

This is a great work, an extremely important companion for the student of Jainism. The book ought to be part of each and every university, department and temple library.

The book is available at:

HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY

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KAALAJAYI UJJAINI and ANAADI UJJAINI

|| tirthakarebhyostu syadvadibhyo namonamah ||

|| rshabhadimahavirantebhyo svatmopalabdhye ||

 

Learned friends,

Jaya Jinendra

 

KAALAJAYI UJJAINI and ANAADI UJJAINI

 

KAALAJAYI UJJAINI in three volumes (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     4000 pp in 3 vols.

+ 100s of maps and line drawings

Hardcover     Rs. 6000 for the set

 

Ancient India was geographically divided into seven divisions.  The centre of this was considered to be Ujjaini, situated in the navel of the world, so to speak.

 

Ujjaini was the epicentre of ancient India. But somehow, unlike Varanasi, the city was never studied exhaustively from historical, social, subaltern, religio-cultural, anthropological, architectural and Indological perspectives.

 

Historian, researcher and journalist Dr. Ramesh Nirmal has produced this exhaustive study on Ujjaini over a period of more than a decade through painstaking research and concentrated study. He has attempted to produce a comprehensive picture of Ujjaini right since the most ancient times to today taking into account various factors such as history, culture, literature, education, architecture seeing it from the eyes of a journalist, subaltern historian and student of Indology.

 

He has utilised the newest research methodology but not ignored the traditionally available socio-cultural and historical data on Ujjaini. He brings to this extensive work a fresh perspective and a keen eye for humanitarian interests.

 

For the first time, this kind of deep research has been carried out on the Ujjaini and its forgotten past.

 

Several hundreds of maps and line drawings add the pictorial dimension to this book.

 

Truly, a first of its kind, it is a magnificent effort to place together a most comprehensive picture of Ujjaini through the ages.

 

ANADI UJJAINI Part 1: PRATIKALPA UJJAINI (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     348 pp

Softcover     Rs. 500

Tradition holds that whenever a new era (kalpa) dawns, creation begins with Ujjaini. Ujjaini is the city that remains unfazed and unruffled by the passage of time. This book uncovers the earliest history of Ujjaini through the latest archaeological findings, historical data and is a scholarly study of the history of Ujjaini right from the earliest times to the modern era.

 

The author has studied with especial care the impact of the Western civilisation on Ujjaini and how it has led to the Ujjaini of today.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 2: MAHAKAL (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     352 pp

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

Hindu measurement of time is defined by Mahakala. This depends upon Ujjaini.

 

It is said that the only jyotirlinga on the Earth is to be found at Ujjaini. The Puranas are full of laudatory references to Ujjain. This book sheds light upon the Ujjaini of the Mahakala era. It takes the reader on a journey into the history, architecture, religion, philosophy, cultural paradigms, and subaltern beliefs prevalent in Ujjaini during the Mahakala.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 3: PUNYASALILA SHIPRA (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     382 pp

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

The river Shipra brings life to Ujjaini and the entire Malva region. This area is full of many examples of the river culture of historical India. Shipra is not just the life giving water resource of this area; it has an important role to play in the very culture, development and history of the region!

 

The author explores the complex relationship that Shipra has forged with the people of the region and the role it plays in shaping their lives and beliefs.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 4: UJJAINI DARSHAN (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     332 pp

+ many b/w photos and line drawings

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

Ujjaini has sustained many eras, many religions, many cultures and sub-cultures and many ways of life. All of these combine to give Ujjaini a unique place in terms of the variety of riches it has to offer to the tourist, historian, epigrapher and social anthropologist. The temples and other places of worship, the historic monasteries, the architecture and arts found therein are described accurately and faithfully in this work.

 

This book doubles up as a book for tourist purposes as well.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 5: AVANTIKA KE ANMOL RATNA (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     242 pp

+ many b/w photos and line drawings

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

Ujjaini has given birth to countless gems of human beings right from the ancients,  Atri, Carvaka, Shudraka, Vatsyayana, Banabhatta, Vikramaditya to the greatest Sanskrit poet of them all ? Kalidasa! This volume gives authentic biographies of these giants, and critically reviews their works.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 6: AMRIT PARVA SIMHASTHA (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     544 pp

+ many b/w photos and line drawings

Softcover     Rs. 1000

 

The Mahakumbhas or Simhasthas are symbolic of Indian culture, the social role that Indian religions play and embodies the very Indian attitude towards dharma or religion as a complete celebration of mutability. The Simhastha multiplies the glory of Ujjaini owing to many significant factors coming together.

 

The book explores in detail the scriptural references (mainly pauranika), the astrological factors and the social history of the Simhasthas of Ujjaini. The author examines the contribution of the various mathas, the akhadas, the diverse sampradayas of ascetics and laymen who visit Ujjaini during the Simhastha and make it the most special place on earth during the Mahakumbha.

 

The book also discloses many hitherto unknown facts about the Simhastha.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 7: AKSHAY AVANTIKA (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     382 pp

+ many b/w photos and line drawings

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

Ujjaini has always been known as a city that worships wisdom. Legend has it that Maharshi Sandipani taught Lord Krishna at Ujjaini. This volume explores the manifold contribution of Ujjaini to learning from the ancient days right up to the present. This is the first such attempt to explore in detail the tradition of teaching found in Ujjaini.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 8: SANSKRITI KA SURYA UJJAIN (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     544 pp + many colour and b/w photos

Softcover     Rs. 1000

 

The story of Ujjaini is the story of culture and learning. Ujjaini has been a centre of learning, and culture for many millennia. It has been the melting pot of many sub-civilisations within the Indian mileu. Many arts and crafts have flourished here.

 

This book explores the cultural contribution of Ujjaini in terms of its arts, its paintings, its iconography, its sculpture, its theatre, its tradition of printing, music, various dance forms, folk theatre, etc.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 9: UJJAINI KA ADHUNIK PRAVAH (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     544 pp + many b/w photos

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

The ancient city state of Ujjaini has served with great n the culture of India and its sons continue to do so to this present day. Since the Indian renaissance of the 19th century, and the inception of the Indian Freedom Movement in 1857, Ujjaini and its residents have played a key role in the Indian Freedom Movement. It has developed immense industries and a strong political presence in the region.

 

This book explores the modern history of Ujjaini, from the 19th century onwards.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 10: UJJAINI KI VILAKSHAN VIBHUTIYAN (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     242 pp + many b/w photos

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

There are many who have given modern Ujjaini its strong presence on the literary, creative and cultural map of India. Among those, the foremost are Pandit Suryanarayan Vyas, Dr. Shivmangalsingh Suman, Dr. VC Vakankar, Kumar Gandharv, Shamsher, Acarya Shrinivas Rath, etc.

 

This book throws light on their lives and achievements.

 

ANAADI UJJAINI Part 11: ADHUNIK UJJAINI KE GAURAV (Hindi)

By Dr. Ramesh Nirmal

Distributed by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006     220 x 145 mm     364 pp + many b/w photos

Softcover     Rs. 500

 

More great sons of Ujjaini have been remembered here and their lives and achievements recorded for posterity. They are all scholars, thinkers, writers and artists - creative people and achievers. They have brought great credit to the city of their birth and carried its fair name to the world.

 

This set of 14 books (3 volumes of Kaalajayi Ujjaini + 11 volumes of Anaadi Ujjaini) costs Rs. 12500.

 

We shall provide postage free by surface mail anywhere in the world.

 

vidusyamanucaro,

Manish

 

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Mumbai 400004 INDIA

Phones: + 91 (022) 23826739, 20622600

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BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRAR MOOLBHOOT CHINTAN (Kannada)

tirthakarebhyostu syadvadibhyo namonamah

rshabhadimahavirantebhyo svatmopalabdhye

 

Dear friends,

Jaya Jinendra

 

I take great pride in introducing this book to you:

 

BHAGAVAN MAHAVIRAR MOOLBHOOT CHINTAN (Kannada)

By Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj

Translated into Kannada and edited by Mrs Indira Subraya Hegde

Prakrit Bharati Pushpa 164

Distributed and exported by Hindi Granth Karyalay

2006 215 x 140 mm 48 pp

Softcover Rs. 30

 

This book is a penetrating and concise presentation of the life and doctrine of Bhagavan Mahavira. It covers his early life, examining society as it was at the time of His birth. Jalaj succinctly explains Mahavira's teachings. He describes Mahavira's enriched vision, His concept of reality, the nature of His omniscience, the principals of syadvada and anekantavada, the concomitant relationship between nimitta and upadana and the art of living as visualized in the Jain religion.

 

It also sheds light on Mahavira's concepts of ahimsa and mercy. The Jain karma theory, the opposition to karmakanda, the 6 dravyas and 7 tattvas are all lucidly explained. The author has also explained how the basic thought of Mahavira is very appropriate to meet the challenges of a rapidly shrinking world.

 

Jain religion and the Kannada language have an ancient association going back to the times of Candragupta Maurya. This Kannada translation is an attempt to perpetuate this tradition.

 

The book was originally written in Hindi, and is into its 12th edition now and has been translated into several languages. This is the first Kannada edition. The Kannada tr. has been carried out by Mrs Indira Subraya Hegde, noted Kannada columnist, yoga trainer, astrologer and grandmother of two.

 

The book has been very attractively produced.

 

|| parasparopagraho jivanam ||

 

Manish

 

To order books please write to manish.modi@mtnl.net.in

 

For regular updates on Jain literature, Indological publications and books on Ancient Indian Wisdom, please subscribe to JainandIndology@yahoogroups.com

 

For regular updates on Hindi and Urdu publications, please subscribe to Hindibooks@yahoogroups.com

 

HINDI GRANTH KARYALAY

Booksellers and Publishers Since 1912

9 Hirabaug C P Tank

Mumbai 400004 INDIA

Phones: + 91 (022) 23826739, 20622600

Email: manishymodi@gmail.com

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RATNAKARANDA SRAVAKACARA (Sanskrit - Hindi)

namah sri varddhamanaya nirdhutakalilatmane

salokanam trilokanam yadvidya darpanayate

 

Dear friends,

Shubh Dipavali

Mangalamaya Nava Varsha ki shubhakamanayen!

 

RATNAKARANDA SRAVAKACARA (Sanskrit-Hindi)

By Acarya Samantabhadra

Translated into Hindi with 2 Appendices by Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj

Preface by Dr. Paul Dundas

Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series Volume 3

2006 215 x 140 mm 48 pp

ISBN 81-88769-04-5

EAN 9788188769049

Softcover Rs. 40

 

A feature of Jain scriptures is the importance accorded to the conduct of the laity. One of the first such works is Acarya Samantabhadra's "Ratnakaranda Sravakacara". Written in the early centuries of the Common Era, it is an enduring masterpiece prescribing normative lay conduct. Its style is terse and to the point.

 

If the Jain doctrine has survived for the past two millennia after the death of the last ford maker Tirthankara Mahavira despite great socio political-upheavals and the fluctuating fortunes of the Jain community, credit should go to the innate correctness and relevance of the Tirthankaras' teachings of which the Ratnakaranda Sravakacara is a splendid example.

 

The Ratnakaranda Sravakacara occupies a special and revered place in the hierarchy of Digambara scriptural tradition. It has been a defining authority on ideal Jain lay conduct for the past two millennia.

 

Comprising of 150 slokas, this work has ensured Samantabhadra's place in Jain history as it serves as an inspiration to Jains even today, more than two millennia after it was composed.

 

Since the study of the classical languages Sanskrit and Prakrit is not very prevalent in the Jain lay community today, the Jain community has largely learnt of the Ratnakaranda Sravakacara through sermons by the monks and learned lay Pandits.

 

More than once, the Ratnakaranda Sravakacara has been translated into Hindi in the 20th century. But the translations have tended to be so weighed down by the Sanskrit mulapatha and the communicative limitations of the translator, that very often the Hindi translation is well nigh incomprehensible to all but the scholars, who could read the work in its original Sanskrit.

 

There came a point in time wherein the Ratnakaranda Sravakacara was being read less and less by those whom it was written for ? the sravakas!

 

This translation is an attempt to rectify this situation. This is why we requested Dr. Jaykumar Jalaj, a best-selling poet, writer and an independent scholar of Jainism to translate afresh the Ratnakaranda Sravakacara. He has attempted to translate the mula Sanskrit slokas in lucid Hindi in a manner that will empower the layperson to read this great work on his/her own.

 

Jalaj has succeeded in producing a Hindi translation that is at once incisive, does not deviate from the original text is succinct and to the point.

 

Jalaj does not try to dazzle his readers with difficult tatsama words or by needlessly launching into great detours from the text to showcase his own views.

 

He does not come in the way of Acarya Samantabhadra and his 21^st century readers. He is merely a facilitator between them.

 

This edition boasts of a brilliant Preface by Dr. Paul Dundas, the famed Scottish Indologist and leading authority on Prakrit, Sanskrit and Jainism.

 

The book is helped by impeccable proof reading and immaculate production values. For which, the publisher would like to express his sincere thanks to Shri Girish Jani, Sahityacarya who patiently went through all the proofs.

 

The book also has two appendices, including an alphabetical Slokanukramanika.

 

Truly a path breaking venture, it is hoped that this book will revitalise the tradition svadhyaya by the members of the lay community.

 

The Pandit Nathuram Premi Research Series has been named after Pandit Nathuramji Premi, a deeply insightful scholar of Jainism; perceptive critic of Indian literature and history; the Bhishma Pitamah of Hindi publishing and pioneering publisher and editor of Jain sacred literature.

 

This series aims to bring out accurate, well researched scholarly studies or translations of classic Jain works in Prakrit / Sanskrit. This series will attempt to present the most important Jain scriptures in modern languages ensuring at all times immaculate proof reading and excellent production values.

 

Forthcoming in this series: Acarya Pujyapada's "Samadhitantra" and the "Vyavahara Bhasya" ed. by Prof. Willem Bolle

 

vidusamanucaro,

Manish

 

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