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Preface
Dr. Veer Sagar Jain - the scholar with selfless dedication
Dr. Veer Sagar Jain, Professor of Jaina Philosophy (Jaina Darśana) at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha (Deemed University), New Delhi, is a renowned scholar of Sanskrit and of the Jaina Doctrine. Author of several books on Jainism, he is incessantly engaged in propagating its tenets, precisely as promulgated in the Scripture. Dr. Veer Sagar Jain has willingly, joyfully and swiftly proofread the manuscript of this work. His deep knowledge of the Sanskrit language and of the subject matter, supplemented by his extremely sharp eye, has led to the removal of several still-remaining mistakes and inaccuracies. My humble gratitude and appreciation for his selfless dedication.
Acārya Gunabhadra avers, in the beginning of 'Atmānusāsana', that what is expounded in the treatise may occasionally appear to be a bit bitter, still it will result in favourable outcome. He also cautions the readers not to get frightened; just as the sick person does not get upset by the bitter pill. (verse 3). He must have had noble souls in mind. For me, however, suffering from this longstanding and grave disease of wrong-belief (mithyātva), the exposition has been bitter, hard-hitting and frightening. Fortunately, the potent remedy of adoration (ārādahanā) of right faith (samyagdarśana) that Acārya Gunabhadra himself has administered to me is proving to be extremely beneficial; it has alleviated my suffering and now I am on path to total recovery. So that the others too get relief from their suffering, I present this treatise in the hands of the potential (bhavya) readers.
- Vijay K. Jain
20 September, 2019 Dehradun, India
(XLIII)
