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- xii :
Preface (By the Bhāsyakära) page no. 242 of the present text). ("Placenta' is a special technical term used in anatomy; thus aparā stands for placenta, and not for another (nādi). Feeling of Co-operation
There is a very old history of Vācanā (Synod) in the Jain tradition. We know about four such vācanās that took place till about 1500 years ago, (which is the time of Devarddhigani). After Devarddhigaņi, no systematic synod has taken place. The āgamas that were made to writing in the last synod during Devarddhigami's time had become corrupt during the long time-flow. Hence, a systematic synod to put the āgamas in systematic form was the need of the hour. Rev. Pujya Gaņādhipati Gurudeva Sri Tulsi first made an effort to call a synod collectively of all Jain ācāryas, but it did not succeed. Lastly, we reached the conclusion that if our synod would be really based on research and if our attitude would be unbiased, and also if we would undertake hard efforts, then automatically our synod would be acceptable collectively. On the basis of this conclusion, we had started our work on agama-vācanā (in 1955).
Our Synod-chief was Ganadhipati Sri Tulsi. Actually, vacanã signifies *teaching'. In our course of vācanā, these were the constituents of our teachingwork-research in the correct version of the text, translation into Hindi), critical studies of the ägamas, and so on. In all these activities we were fortunate enough to get active support, guidance and inspiration from Gurudeva. This is the only source of seed of energy we got for being engaged in this stupendous task.
The present volume is the first volume of the version of the Bhagavati Sūtra with Translation and Bhäsya. It contains the first two Satakas. It comprises the original text, Sanskrit chāyā, Hindi translation (which is translated into English), Bhāşya and references in foot-notes). The Hindi translation was done by Sadhvi Pramukhā Kanaka Prabhä. Mahāśramana Muni Mudit Kumār, Muni Mahendra Kumār and Muni Hirālālji assisted us in the works of taking dictation as well as editing the publication. In preparing the appendices and also in the work of editing, some of the nuns and samanis have also made their contributions.
Thus, many monks and nuns have given their co-operation in editing the present publication. We all who have done this work under the shadow of the Gurudev's blissful hands are co-workers in this great task. Nevertheless, I express my auspicious feelings towards all the monks and nuns who have made contribution in any form in this work.
Ācārya Mahāprajña
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