Jain Journal 1999 04

SR No.: 520134
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1999
Total Pages: 58
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 3 MB

Page 55

COMMUNICATION
To facilitate the study of the Prakrit language, Rajendra Sūriji translated the 8th chapter of Acarya Hemacandra's Siddhahema Prakrit grammar with their Sanskrit commentary which has also been published in the preface of the Abhidhana Rajendra.
173
Sūriji could not survive to see the printing and the publication of his magnum opus in his lifetime. When the printing of the first volume came out some 70 years ago, many foreign and Indian scholars showed eagernes to study Jain religion, the Prakrit language and Non-Jain philosophies. They were immensely delighted and profited by it, as they received such a unique, complete and fascinating encyclopaedia after years of patient waiting. After the lapse of about 70 years or so, when the first edition became unavailable, two more editions in 1984 and 1986 were brought out without any change. After years of study Sylvan Levy of Paris remarked "I can say that no student of Indology and ancient India can ignore this wonderful work. In its specialisation it has surpassed-"The Jewel of Lexicons-the Saint Petersberg lexicon". Will there be any work about Hinduism and Buddhism comparable to it?"
With fast developing interest and study of Jain religion, culture and philosophy in several universities of the world its English translation will be universally useful and beneficial to the students of Jain studies, research scholars and historians in general. As English is widely used and has special place in European languages and is the foremost language of the world, the English translation of the Abhidhana Rajendra is a sine qua non. With this object, views and suggestions of scholars of Jain studies, research institutions, universities teaching Jainism, having linguistics, historical and humanities departments are invited for the intended English translation of the Abhidhana Rajendra.
This article is based on the 50th anniversary commemoration issue of Shri Rajendra Sūriji and the other special number magazines, such as, Tirthankara (1975) and Sasvatadharma (Jan-Feb 1990) and the first volume of Abhidhana Rajendra Kosa.
K.L. Banthia