________________
The Date of Siddharshi...
243 Now the difficulty is to tally this fact with the abovementioned verse. Now the first question is what is the meaning of sama gitana ? That part of the verse in my opinion solves the whole difficulty. I interpret it thus: “ Haribhadra knowing the future i.e. knowing that there shall be a man like myself in future composed for me &c. “ This shows that Haribhadra Suri was not a contemporary of Siddharshi. I think it is impossible to explain away अनागतं परिक्षाय on any other theory.
Munichandra Suri bas written a Panjika on Lalita Vistara wherein in introduction he says यां बुद्धा किल सिद्धसाधु. It is to be read thus “ Siddharshi whose faith in Jainism had shaken owing to his study of Buddhism became firm in faith on understanding the contents of this book.” He Munichandra suri was so near in time that he ought to have known tradi. tionally that the composition of Lalita -Vistara was made for Siddharshi. On this supposition all the verses quoted from garea are explained away.
This is the point of view from which I looked at the subject.
I should have bǝen very glad to receive any suggestion in the printing of Trishashthi Charitra.
I am now writing life of Shri Hemachandra Suri, the author of that great work. Do you think there is necessity of the publication of his life in English? Will you please let me know any available material not obtainable here.
I am inquiring for two copies Manuscript of Yoga Shastra and I hope by the end of this month I will be able to send you the same.
Will you please let me know if there is any catalogue of the Jain books printed and Manuscripts in any library. I am informed that you possess a list of many many Jain books. I will be glad to know about this and if available send me one copy quoting its price.
Yours obediently M. G. KAPADIA,
