Catalogue of Palmleaf Manuscripts in Santinatha Jain Bhandara 02

SR No.: 010183
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Punyavijay
Publisher: University Publication Baroda
Publication Year: 1966
Total Pages: 310
Language: Hindi
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 10 MB

Page 5

FOREWORD
This is the second part of the Descriptive Catalogue of l'alm-leaf Manuscripts in the Süntinātha Bhandāra,* Cambay, prepared by Agama Prabhākara Muni Sri Punyavijayaji, after a personal scrunny of each and every manuscript
the spot. Miuni Sri Punyayılayani is a venerable doyen of Prakrta and Taina studies in India, who has devoted a whole life-time to the study and preservation of ancient manuscript-libraries and to the preparation of critical editions of numerous texts and has einbarked upon the epoch-making project of preparing a critical edition of the whole of the Jaina Canon, a few volumes of which are already out,
Cambay or Stamblatirtha of historical fame is famous for its manuscript. libraries, like Pātan and Jaisalmer The G O. Series (No. 76) has already published a Catalogue of the Palm-leaf MSS in the Patan Bhandāra and another (No 21 ) of the Jaina Bhandara at Jaisalmer. Muni Sri Punyavijayaji has now prepared a Classified Catalogue of all the MSS collected together from the various local Bhandāras in the Hemacandrācārya Jñanamındıra at Patan as well as a fresh Descriptive Catalogue of all important MSS. in the various Bhandāras at Jaisalmer, and both the works will be shortly out through other agencies
Santinātha Bhandara is the most important MSS library at Cambay, but no such comprehensive attempt was made so far in respect of important literary material deposited there. A few MSS from the Bhandara were referred to by Peterson and others in their Reports which are long out of print and not easily available. A short list of these MSS in Gujarāti script was published a few years back. The present publication was, therefore, a long-felt desideratum and we are very thankful to Muni Sri Punyavijayaji for kindly consenting to publish this Descriptive Catalogue in the Gackwad's Oriental Series It needs hardly to be stated that the Prasastis and colophons of MSS described in such Catalogues are extremely interesting and useful, as they throw light on many facets of mediaeval history and culture and supply a wealth of information about the social and religious history of various sects, castes and families, and present invaluable materials for the study of place-names. Indices of the whole Descriptive Catalogue appended to this volume will be found useful and interesting from this point of view
We are thankful to the University Grants Commission and the Government of Gujarat for jointly giving full financial aid towards the publication of this volume.
Oriental Institute,
Baroda Dated 14th Feb '66
B. J. SANDESARA,
Director
The first part was published as GOS, no 135 10 1961.