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15
The paper used is rather thin; but has still not turned brittle. Some folios are having a crumpled look. Though some writing at a few places has faded away, the MS is on the whole quite wellpreserved, and the handwritings of the writer of the epic fame are certainly very beautiful indeed.
There are hardly any corrections. Additions in text are usually made in the side-margin in the same line as the text. If any wrong words have crept in through inadvertence, they are obliterated by a kind of darkish pigment rubbed over that portion. Someone, other than Pratisthaso magani, has, in the marginalia (in upper and side margins), given the of Apabhramśa dodhakas. This is certainly a later addition. The colophon reads: ": - गच्छाधिराज सदकद करटिककरपाटनपाट्र्पटमृगाधिराज श्री भट्टारकपुरंदर श्री सोमसुंदरसूरिशिष्याणुना प्रतिष्ठसे मगणिना स. १४९२ वर्षे भाद्रप. व. १३ दिने लेखि ।”
Following the suggestion of my 'guru' Acarya Jinavijiyaji, and on the advice of Acarya Punyavijayaji I have relied mainly on this MS for the reconstruction of my text.
The other MS (MS B), copied by Kṣemadhiragani in V.S. 1493, is similar to the preceding one in many respects. It has folios 10.3" by 4.4", with 1.6" to 1.7" margins both on the right and the left, which are market off with a triple line in red ink. The upper and lower margins are .7" to .8" broad. Verse nos. are rubbed with red pigment, and so too the commencement and conclusion of each 'pada'.
Its colophon reads : सं. १४९३ वर्षे आश्विनवदि १४ दिने क्षेमधीरगणिना महीशानकनगरे लिखिता । ...
The paper shows a light reddish brown tint, in contrast to other MSS which have grown yellowish. This is an exceeding wellpreserved MS, revealing the Jaina Devanagari calligraphy at its best. The handwritings are exceedingly beautiful and artistic. There are hardly any corrections in the MS. The ink used is black, and though not glossy, reveals a rare freshness.26
26 The MS was exhibited at the 'All India Library Conference' held at Bombay at the instance of its Secretary, Dr. P. M. Joshi, where it was greatly admired.
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