________________
FOREWORD
Mr. J. P. Thaker collaborated with me in the preparation of the Lexicographical Studies in ‘Jaina Sanskrit' which was serially published in the Journal of the Oriental Institute (VIII. 2; IX. 3-4; X; XI and XII. 1) and then was brought out in a book-form in 1962 as M. S. University Oriental Series, no. 5. It dealt with three most well-known Prabandha-texts, viz. the Prabandha-cintamani of Merutungasūri ( 1305 A.D.), the Prabandha-kośa of Rājasekharasuri ( 1349 A.D.) and the Purātana-prabandha-sangraha.
It is a matter of gratification that Mr. Thaker has continued his researches in this particular branch of Sanskrit literature and prepared a critical edition and a comprehensive study-lexicographical, historical and cultural-of an unpublished Prabandha-text which is probably the oldest so far as our present knowledge goes.
The Laghu-prabandha-sangraha is a valuable addition to the corpus of Prabandha-texts published so far, and I trust that it will be useful in a variety of ways to the researchers of mediaeval Sanskrit literature and especially of its peculiar idiom known among scholars as “Jaina Sanskrit’ and also to the students of mediaeval Indian History and Culture.
Oriental Institute, Baroda. January 27, 1970.
B. J. SANDESARA
Director
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
