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Preface
xix
$abdalankara. As regards arthalankaras, Apahnuti-dvatrimsika, V yatircka-dvatr imsika and Arthantar anyasa-dvätrinsika of Rāmacandra Sûri, a learned disciple of kalikalasarvajña' Hemacandra Sūri, deserve special mention as each of them supplies us with 32 verses associated with the following figures of speech respectively :
A pahnuti, Vyatireka and Arthantaranyāsa. 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. Tijayapahuttathotta ) and there are others which are noted for their mantras 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.Institute 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's
Hiralal R. Kapadia
1 This hymn is known as "Saptatijina-stotra", and its Ms. i. desoribed in Part II of Vol. XIX.
