Descriptive Catalogue of Manuscripts in Jain Bhandars at Patan

SR No.: 011005
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Lalchandra B Gandhi
Publisher: Oriental Research Institute Vadodra
Publication Year: 1937
Total Pages: 591
Language: English
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 32 MB

Page 76

( 70 ) between 1330 and 1360' containing some prose passages. The oldest paper MS in Gujarati is dated Samvat 1357. To the student of the Gujarati philology, the Bhandars now supply ample and reliable materials which he can never expect to find elsewhere. The growth of our language can now be traced without any break from the 11th century upto to the present time. I do not think any vernacular in India possesses such a treasure of valuable and trustworthy records of such a high antiquity.
Uşāharuna and Madhavūnala-of the two old Gujarati poems, Uşāharana and Mādhavānaladogdhaka Prabandha, which I have been ordered to edit, the first is published in the Library Miscellany. But since its publication, I understood that, the two MSS of the poem were acquired for the Gujarat Vernacular Society. I examined the MSS and found them not so reliable; yet they would be useful for collation. The second poem-Madhavānala Prabandha-has attracted the notice of Mr. (now Diwan Bahadur) K. M. Jhaveri in his ‘Milestones in Gujarati Literature'. Although the MS with me is old and reliable, I am trying to find out, if there exists, another MS of the poem for collation.
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It would not, I think, be regarded out of place, if I give some idea as to how the work was done at Pattan. The work as undertaken and done by me would have under ordinary circumstances, taken one full year for any other man. But in the present case the circumstances were favourable:-(1) My familiarity with Jain literature and the considerable help I received from Pravartaka Kāntivijayaji and his pupil Pannyasa Caturvijayaji. (2) Easy and free access obtained without the least delay. I had not to waste even a single day for want of work. (3) Work done on an average for 14 hours, in order to do in such a thorough way that Government may not have again to spend anything on the
1 Printed in GOS. as gitaros atorna.
2 The Bengali Verdacular has, as a matter of fact, greater antiquity. The earlier Bengali songs published as Bauddha Gāna 0 Dohā contains vorses of authors who flourished as early as the 9th century. After this work there is a continuous chain of books written in subsequent centuries discovered and published by the Vangiya Sahitya Parişad. Hindi and Udiyā can also claim similar antiquity. (B. B.)
3 The work has been taken up for publication in GOS.