Cosmology Old and New

Author(s): G R Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 23

THE PROLOGUE
श्रीजिनेन्द्राय नमः
मंगलाचरणम् नमो नमः सत्त्वहितंकराय, वीराय भव्याम्बुजभास्कराय। अनन्तलोकाय सुरार्चिताय, देवाधिदेवाय नमो जिनाय ।।१॥ स्वदोषशान्त्या विहितात्मशान्तिः शान्तेर्विधाता शरणं गतानाम् । भूयाद्भव-क्लेश-भयोपशान्त्यै शान्तिर्जिनो मे भगवान् शरण्यः ।।२।।
– Svami-Samantabhadra
I bow to Lord Mahavira, the great well-wisher of all living beings; the source of joy to the souls of the Universe; the one who is worshipped by all celestials and the lord of gods.
I seek protection of Lord Santinatha, the incarnation of Peace on earth, for annihilating all lusts and desires of the flesh. He has obtained the highest equanimity of mind and confers peace on those who lie at His feet.
Authoritative Character of Tali vartha-sutra.
The present work is a commentary on the Fifth Chapter of Tatryarihadhigama-sutra of Acarya Umasvämi (135-219 A.D.), who was the most famous disciple of the universally worshipped saint, Kundakundácarya. The relationship between Kundakunda and Umasvami is established by inscription No. 108 of 1365 Saka Samvat, found at Sravanabelgola in Mysore State.
Shri J.L. Jaini of sacred memory has called the Tativărihasuira the Jaina Bible. It is held in high esteem by all sects and subsects of Jainism. There is no portion of Jaina philosophy which is not embodied in this sacred epitome. Like the Rāmāyana of the Hindus or the Qurana of the Muslims it is recited every day in the temples and in millions of Jaina homes.