Catalogue of Palmleaf Manuscripts in Santinatha Jain Bhandara 01

SR No.: 018054
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Punyavijay
Publisher: University Publication Baroda
Publication Year: 1961
Total Pages: 206
Language: English
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 8 MB

Page 4

FOREWORD
This is the first part of the Descriptive Catalogue of Palm-leaf Manuscripts in the Säntinātha Bhaņdāra,* Cambay, prepared by AgamaPrabhākara Muni Sri Punyavijayaji, after a personal scrutiny of each and every manuscript on the spot. Muni Sri Punyayijayaji is a venerable doyen of Prakrt and Jaina 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 embarked upon the epoch-making project of preparing a critical edition of the whole of the Jaina Canon, a few volumes of which will be shortly out.
Cambayor Stambhatirtha of historical fame is famous for its 'manuscript-libraries, like Pātan and Jaisalmer. The G. O. Series (No. 76) bas already published a Catalogue of the Palm-leaf MSS. in the Pāțaņ Bhaņdāra and another (No. 21) of the Jaina Bhaņdāra at Jaisalmer, Muni Sri Punyavijayaji has now prepared a Classified Catalogue of all the MSS. collected together from the various local Bhandāras in the Hemachandracharya Jñanamandira at Pāțan, as well as a fresh Descriptive Catalogue of all important MSS. in the various Bhaņdāras at Jaisalmer, and both the works will be shortly out through other agencies.
Śântinātha Bhaņdāra 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 Bhaņdāra were referred to by Peterson and others in their Reports whic long out of print and not easily available. - A short list of these MSS. in Gujarati script was published a few years back. The present publication was, therefore, a long-felt desideratum and we are very thankful to Muni Sri Punyayijayaji for kindly consenting to publish this Descriptive Catalogue in the Gaekwad'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-namnes. Muni Sri
# Bhandāra and not Bhändāra is the word prevalent in Gujarat for ancient Jaina
manuscript-libraries.