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16
Atmanushasan
1.
1.1111
Pandit Todarmall spent most of his life span in Jaipur and died a tragic death at an early age of around 47. It may therefore be said that most of his works were completed near the middle of the eighteenth century. Todarmall was a genius by birth and used to resolve several deep questions and riddles in his childhood. He was the most well known scholar of his time and only a few could be said to have reached that hetght in the recent times. He was a great connoinseer of Jain Darshan and the understanding of subject displayed by him is not easy to surpass. The large numbar of tikā (commentaries) of the various Jain treatises written by Todarmall have been the basis for understanding the essence of Jain philosophy. A number of recent works have either been based on his tikā (Hindi commentaries) or, have acted as pointers of the truth. The commentaries
on the Gommatsāra, Labdhisāri, Purusavtha sidhi upaya and : i'riloksāra and of course the Atmānusā sana have been very well
appraciated and carry a touch of originality. Besides these, he also wrote some independent works like Maksha Mārg Prakashak and Rahasyr Purna Chithi. It is said that his bhāshā tikā of Atmānu sāsana is, in several respects, better than the Sanskrit tikā. Besides giving the translation and meaning of each verse he has also added purports wherever necessary. This has enhanced the usefulness of the book and added simplicity to it so that anyone may reach the goal.
15-8-83
(Dr.) Ashok Jain
Jain Education International
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www.jainelibrary.org
