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Vol. XVIII, No. 2
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sages depending on public support had to migrate and those sages who remained behind retained with difficulty their Canon. The influence of Mahārāshtri on AMG is due to the westward migration of the Magadhan Sages. Pali also did not retain its pristine purity as the influence of Paiśācī on it shows. Hence the acceptance of Pali for ascertaining old AMG. needs some caution. I write this for young scholars. Dr. Chandra has correctly traced the old AMG form for, Kṣetrajña. His attempt to trace old AMG., on the basis of available material in Chapter eight is worth careful study.
Dr. Chandra has taken enormous trouble for this guide to the next generation. Generations of scholars will remain indebted to him for this beacon of linguistic research.
I take this opportunity to place before the scholarly world the need of a critical edition of the AMG Canon. The present editions as amply demonstrated by Dr. Chandra, are not that satisfactory. Fortunately Gujarat and Rajasthan have a good tradition of preserving ancient MSS. There are eminent scholars and Acāryas who can competently bring out such a reliable critical edition of the canon. Formation of such a Research Institute will be the real fruit of the labour of persons like Dr. Chandra. The Trustees of Seth Kastur bhai Lalbhai Trust deserve the thanks of the scholarly world for their donation of a publication grant to this valuable work.
-G. V. Tagare
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