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PUBLISHER'S NOTE
(from First Edition)
The unforgettable work done by Agam Ratnakar Acharya Samrat Shri Atmaram ji M. in the fields of study, teaching, popularizing and spread of Jain Agams occupies an everlasting place in the history of Jain Agamic literature. Driven by his inspiration, the lineage of his scholarly disciples continues to play a leading role in furthering the work he started. His disciples, with in-depth knowledge of Agams, have spent major parts of their lives to accomplish the task of spreading the spiritual knowledge contained within the tenets of the Jina in the masses. In this pious tradition the name of Uttar Bharatiya Pravartak Gurudev Bhandari Shri Padmachandra ji. M., the able disciple of Acharya Samrat's scholarly disciple Pandit-ratna Shri Hem Chandra ji M., will ever remain written in golden letters.
The beautiful editions of the voluminous Agams including Sutrakritanga, Prashna Vyakaran and Bhagavati Sutra (in four parts) with Hindi commentary, inspired by Gurudev Shri Bhandari ji M., edited by his scholarly disciple Up-Pravartak Shri Ainar Muni ji M., and published for the benefit of masses, have been widely admired. These have been immensely useful for the readers of Agams. Continuing this great chain of Agam publications and in accordance with the wishes of Pravartak Gurudev Shri Bhandari ji M., Up-Pravartak Shri Amar Muni ji M. has launched a very portant and unique scheme of publishing illustrated Agams.
Illustrations are effective means of easily understanding the content of a text; as such, the visual media occupies an important place in the field of knowledge and education. Although it is a cost intensive project, publication of illustrated Agam literature has a historical value. The future generations as well as the masses who do not come in contact with Jain ascetics, will undoubtedly be able to know and understand with ease the essentials. of Jain tenets and the connected rich religious and cultural tradition. With the blessings of our Gurudev and keeping in view these far reaching goals, we have launched this project of publishing illustrated Agam literature.
Earlier, we had published the grand illustrated edition of Shri Uttaradhyayan Sutra, the last sermon of Bhagavan Mahavir. It was widely appreciated and profusely acclaimed by all. It is our wish now that such grand and valuable literature reaches every library, sthanak, upashraya and temple; people carefully keep these volumes in their shelves and benefit by studying them from time to time. If not today, tomorrow will come a time when scripture loving shravaks and ascetics will inspire others to acquire these for study and be instrumental in widely popularizing the Agam literature.
Jain Education International
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