________________
66
FOREWORD
this commentary many acāryas later on composed several concise commentaries like Dīpikā, which are also available. Wherever we have used the term vịtti, we mean by it the extensive commentary by Silācārya. Again, wherever we have used the term 'vrttikära', we mean by it Sīlācārya alone.
Sīlācārya is well-known by the name of Silänkācārya. But he himself used the name 'Silācārya' only, for him. So, we have used the name 'Silācārya' for him. He has also composed the Vrtti on the Ācārāngasūtra. According to one manuscript of this Vștti, Silācārya composed it in Śaka Saṁvat 784 (=Vikrama Samvat 918). Other manuscripts mention that it was composed in Saka Samvat 798 (= Vikrama Samvat 932). For details one may refer to the Gujarati Introduction (= Prastāvanā) (p. 49) to the 'Ācārăngasūtra published in this Series as also to the Introduction (= Prastāvanā) (pp. 16, 23) to Strimuktikevalibhukti-prakarana.
Manuscripts : The description of manuscripts utilised by us in the preparation of the critical edition of the Sūtrakrtängasūtra is given below.
This manuscript belongs to the Sri Sāntinātha Tālapatra Jaina Jñāna Bhandāra, Cambay. According to the Catalogue of Palmleaf Manuscripts in the śāntinātha Jaina Bhandar, Cambay, Part One, Gaekwad's Oriental Series, Baroda, No. 135, it bears the Serial No. 6. Its size is 31.7" x 2.2". It has 429 folios. Folios 1-363 contain the Sūtrakstānga-Vịtti by Śīlācārya, folios 364-371A contain the Sütrakrtänga-niryukti and folios 371B-429 contain the Sūtrakstāngasūtra. Writing of the manuscript was completed at Bijāpuranagara on the fifth day of the black half of the month of Bhädrapada, V.S. 1327.45 This manuscript also belongs to the same Bhandara. It bears Serial No. 7. Its size is 30.7" x 2.2". It has 463 folios. Folios 1-64 contain the Sūtrakrtāngasūtra, folios 65-72 contain the Sūtrakstanganiryukti, folios 73-463 contain the Sūtrakstāngavrtti. At the end there occurs an extensive colophon by the scribe. Writing
of the manuscript was completed at Dayāvațagrāma in V.S. 1349.46 To This manuscript belongs to the Sanghavipādā Jaina Jñana Bhan
dāra (Patan) which is now preserved in the Sri Hemacandrācārya Jaina Jñanamandira, Patan. According to the list in the Hemacandrācārya Jaina Jñana Mandira it bears Serial No. 31 (3). According to the Catalogue of the Palm-leaf Mss. in the Patan
45. Refer to the Prastāvanā to the present edition of the Sūtrakrtanga, p. 38,
line 12. 46. Ibid., p. 38, fn. 2; p. 39, line 35.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
