________________
३४६]
वीर ज्ञानादय ग्रन्थमाला
(g) Historical/Misc
(h) Jain geography/cosmology
3335
82
Total:
170
The number of books is continuously growing. She has equal, command over writing in Sanskrit and hindi. She has also equal command over writing the simplest children literature and most complex logic books. However, one could easily see that the majority of her literature is devotional and observancial one. She has thus followed the traditional saintly character of propagating religious principles, though she partly reflects her scholastic tints through her translations of Astsahasri and Laghiyastray-the most difficult logic books of the Jainas. Lacs of copies of her books have been published and several have run into several editions testifying popularity of her literature.
Jain Educationa International
02
She realised that writings cannot serve their purpose until they are published and brought before the public. She catalysed publication of Vir Jnanoday. Book Series with this end in view in 1972 which has about 110 publications by 1989. She has also been instrumental in bringing out a monthly "Samyak Jnan" to propagate Jainism alongwith her news and views since 1974. She has thus become a litrary institution by herself.
05
Another addition to her literary activities is the foundation of Virsagar Sanskrit Vidyapeeth in 1980 to commemorate her preceptor and with a view to prepare general and special Jainologists whose dearth has been felt for the last so many years. A large number of scholars are being trained in conducting camps, religious ceremonies and ritual observances for service to the community in different parts of the country. Regular camps and seminars have become a routine activity of this institute. Short and long term duration camps for children are also a regular feature besides regular course of studies. She has shown special interests in the education for girls in the institute.
For Personal and Private Use Only
But this did not seem enough for her. The saintly people are also torch bearers for the future. They have the responsibility of intellectual growth and developments of knowledge fronts. Moreover, when one becomes a true ascetic, one looses his erstwhile identity. One becomes saviour of human kind irrespective of caste and creed. Her principles must be intellectually satisfying. It is with this view that she encouraged foundation of Digambara Jain Trilok Shodh Sansthan (Dig. Jain Cosmological Research Institute) at Hastinapur in 1974. This has published books on Jain Cosmology, Mathematics, and Mathematicians in Hindi and English. It has held national and international academic seminar and camps. to discuse various aspects of Jain cosmology and relevant comparative studies. This seems to be the only Dig. jain Institute where such advanced academic activities are held. A good group of academicians are associated with this institute from all sections of academic world. This reflects an academic bent of Ganiniji- a highly encouraging feature for the current generation. A seminar was also held recently to decide about the standard consecration procedure from amongst many books in vogue where 'Pratistha Tilak' was decided to be followed. This is an attempt towards unification of jain church practices, though there has been an attempt to prepare a unified procedure in this matter. These academic pursuits of Ganiniji fine little mention in discussions about her.
(b) Construction of Jambudvip Model and Journey of Light of Jambudvipal Knowledge
The year 1965 will be memorable in the life of Ganiniji when she was under rainy residence at Shravanbelgola. She undertook a 15-day continuous meditation-cum-silence during which she felt visiting all the natural Jina temples. This led her to learn about Jain Cosmology through Tiloypannatti and other Jain cosmological works. She concentrated on the details of Jambudvip which is the current human-inhabited area. She decided to plan and construct canonical Jambudvip for which Hastinapur was selected after much thought. There was some murmur about reviving mythology, but she stayed on. It took about 10 years to concretise the idea. The 2500th. Mahavir Salvation Annivarsary in 1974-75 proved to be the starting point. A 25-meter high Sumeru mountain column and 16 small Jina temples could be
www.jainelibrary.org
