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JAINA GAZETTE. (December Belief watering the tree of Pure life, from which shoot out the various virtues, and spring forth the foliage of arts and sciences, and which bears the fruits of happiness, joy, and salvation is a soul-elevating picture. The contributions in prose and poetry by Messrs. Gordon, Warren, Jaini, Udani, and Devendra Prasada, are excellent and will amply repay perusal. The illustrations this year are not particularly attractive. There are too many group-photos, and photos of buildings. Two excellent photos are those of the illustrious Seth Maneckchand and bis 10-less-illustrious daughter Maganbai.
Shri Mahavira Charitra.—Volume 6 of Chunni Lal Jain Granth-Diala, compiled by Brabicbari Sital Prasadaji.
This is a short sketch of the Life of Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara. It is written in an easy style, and is entirely based on the original Sanskirt text of Shri Sakal-Kirti Acharya, which is profusely quoted. At the age of 30, before he was married, he renounced the royal robes, repaired to the woods, spent 12 years in deep meditations and austerities, attained absolute wisdom, promulgated the faith for another 30 years, and then became a Siddha—the Perfect one. This was at early dawn on Ainavasya day in the month of Kartik, and from that moment dates the Vira Era of the Jains-527 B. C. It is purposely priced low-Rs. 3 per 100 copies—for free distribution among non-Jainas.
Vishwa Tattwa Chart. This is the first attempt to tabulate the principles of Jain Philosophy and Metaphysics in the form of a Chart.
The Tattwarth-Adhigama of Shri Uma Swami is a triumph of the noble art of apliorism-making. The vast vistas of Jain Philosophy, Metaphysics, Psychology, Cosmogony, Discipline for Jaymen and ascetics, the whole theory and course of evolution of the soul from the lowest depth to the sublimest height, its wanderings in various forms and conditions, the forces which ivfluence such wanderings, the
inter-action of Jiva and Karma, the inflow and outflow of Shree Sudharmaswami Gyanbhandar-Umara, Surat
www.umaragyanbhandar.com