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INTRODUCTION
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Commentaries : A vrtti (commentary) on the Jñatādharmakathā is available. It is composed by Ac. Abhayadevasūri, the author of the vrttis on nine Anga works, in 1120 V.S. No other commentary of any type (curņi, niryukti or any other), written in Prakrit or Sanskrit, is available. Even Ac. Abhayadevasūri has not referred to any commentary. From this we infer that there existed no commentary on the Jñātadharmakathā even in the days of this Acărya. It is heard that Laxmikallola Gani has composed a vrtti on the Jñātādharmakathā, but we have not seen it.
We have given in our Gujarati Introduction other special information; those who are interested in it may refer to it.
Description of Manuscripts : In the preparation of this critical edition of the Jñatādharmakathā, we have utilised paper and palm-leaf manuscripts. The detailed description of these manuscripts is given in the Gujarati Introduction. So, for the detailed description one should consult it. Here we give a brief description of them.
Following are the palm-leaf manuscripts :
ut 9 This manuscript belongs to the Manuscript Library in Jesalmer. According to the New Catalogue of Sanskrit and Prakrit Manuscripts Jesalmer Collection, published by L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad-9, it bears No. 17.
This manuscript also belongs to the above-mentioned Manuscript Library. According to the above-mentioned catalogue, it bears No. 18.
This manuscript too belongs to the same Manuscript Library. And according to the same Catalogue, it bears No. 19.
9 This manuscript belongs to Shri Santinātha Tālapatra Jaina Bhandāra, Cambay. According to the Catalogue of Palm-leaf Manuscripts in the Santinātha Jaina Bhandara, Cambay, Part I, Gaekwad's Oriental Series, Baroda, No. 135, it bears No. 12.
This manuscript also belongs to the above mentioned Manuscript Library in Cambay and bears No. 11 according to the above-mentioned Catalogue.
C 3 This manuscript too belongs to the same Manuscript Library and bears No. 13 according to the same Catalogue.
aft. This manuscript belongs to Sheth Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi, Limbadi. According to the Catalogue of this Bhandāra, it bears No. 1042, but it is given No. 3418 in the Manuscript Library. A manuscript containing the vstti (= commentary) by Ac. Abhayadevasūri is given No. 1043 in the Catalogue while it is given No. 3419 in the Manuscript Library.
ai". This manuscript belongs to the Lonkāgaccha Collection in Jesalmer. It bears No. 1.
. 9 This manuscript belongs to the Sanghavi Pādā Bhandāra, Patan. This
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