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The chronological range of these manuscripts is wide indeed. To name the oldest we have the “Pancāśaka Prakaraņa" of Haribhadra Sūri with commentary by Abhaya Deva Sūri catalogued at serial number 1427. Some one dozen illustrated works donated to the Institute are simply priceless, if judged by there market value also. An illustrated Kalpasūtra with Kālakācārya Kathā dated V.S. 1503 has 114 folios and 47 miniatures illuminated with gold. Dated V.S. 1503 these miniatures go back to pre-Mughal Jain School.
The various tales and stutis of a more popular character are intended to serve at the same time the purpose of religious edification and of telling amusing stories. They are generally written in a kind of popular sanskrit influenced by the vernaculars. The large literature of glosses and commentaries grown up round some important texts have their own value. Extracts from some important manuscripts have also been included.
I record my feelings of respect to the soul of Sri Poojya Jina Vijayendra Suriji as one who had the good fortune of enjoying bis hospitality during my stay in Bikaner. His successor Jainācārya Sri Poojya Jina Candra Suri is equally modest and polite in nature. He has performed several religious tours outside the country and is one of the founders of Mahavir International mission. He has his own revolutionary ideas for propagating the mission of peace before mankind. He is also doing his best to convince the trustees of the "Bada Upāsarā" to donate another 10,000 remaining manuscripts for such a noble cause. Sincere thanks are due to the editor, Shri Bhooramal Yati, Senior Research Asstt. Shri Dau Dayal Sharma who retired as Senior Research Asstt. too has his share in the preparation of the index cards. Dr. D.B. Kshirsagar, Senior Research Asstt.. Shri Girdhar Vallabh Dadaich, Junior Technical Asstt. and the late Shri Ramanand Saraswat also deserve thanks for theit co operatior.
In conclusion, Messrs. Himalaya Printers and Pankaj Printers, Jodhpur remain to be thanked as printers.
For errors and omissions I seek the indulgence of readers.
P.D. Pathak
Director