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xix
Preface šabdalankara. As regards arthalankäras, Apahnuti-dvåtrimšíka, Vyatireka-dvatı im $tka and Arthantaranyasa-dvätrimšika of Ramacandra Súri, a learned disciple of ‘kalikālasarvajña' Hemacandra Sūri, deserve special mention as each of them supplies us with 32 verses associated with the following figures of speech respectively :
Apahnuti, Vyatireka and Arthāntaranyäsa. In some hymns pun is given a prominent place (e. g.
No. 272).
A hymn like Uvasaggaharathotta gives us four meanings for each of its five verses.
There are some hymns which supply us with "Magic Squares”, (e. g. 'Tijayapabuttathotta ) and there are others which are noted for their mant: as and yantras.
Hymns ( Nos. 274 & 318 ) furnish us with musical notes etc.
In short, the Jaina hymns, though devotional in nature, supply us with a rich variety of metres, styles, expressions, ideas, sentiments and topics and various figures of speech.
The importance of hymnology is pointed out in Uttarajjhayana (XXIX ) and in Pancasaga (IV, 26).
In the end I earnestly request the authorities of the Bhandarkar O.R. Instituie to devise means to publish in the near future Parts II-V of Vol. XVIII and Parts I-IV of Vol. XX (completed in 1936 ) and thereby oblige the Jain community in general and scholars interested in Indology in particular. Further, I hereby express my indebtedness to Dr. R. N. Dandekar for his courtesy and kindness in the publication of this volume.
Sankdi Sheri, Gopipura, )
Surat. 16th March 'S7
Hiralal R. Kapadia
1 This hymn is known as "Saptatijina-stotra", and its Ms. is described in Part II of Vol. XIX.
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