________________ Introduction 1. The story of Shripala occupies a very The importance important and prominent place of the story in the Story Literature of the Jainas. It is looked upon with such great reverence and sacredness by them that it has become enshrined in the hearts of all the Jainas-young and old, from very ancient times. Its popularity and greatness can be seen from the zeal and devotion with which they read-in the days of the Ayambila Olis--and try nslate into action the useful spiritual lessons which they learn from the Rasa of King Shripala or Shripala Charitra, composed by the great Upadhyayas Vinayavijayaji & Yas'ovijayaji and based on our author Ratnas'ekharasuri's Sirisirivalakaha, the very text that is edited in this volume. Its greatnees can also be seen from the fact that our author puts it in the mouth of the Great Sage Gautamaswami, the first Ganadhara of Lord Mabavira, who reveals it to the well known Jaina King Sbrenika who was an ardent adherent of Jainism. This is done, evidently not only to create an atmosphere of antiquity
