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LALA HARJAS RAI JAIN
Late Lala Harjas Raiji was a visionary and a man of principles who had a clean and transparent public life of the highest order. He was one of the founders of Parshwanath Vidyapeeth, a research institute for Jaina studies. Parshwanath Vidyapeeth is a living monument of his selfless services and dedication to Jaina studies. All his life as an Honorary Secretary of this august institution, he performed his duties by head and heart. He dedicated both his time and money to build up this institute of Jainological Research. Lala Harjas Raiji developed deep interest in Jaina literature and felt an urgent need for research and translation of works not only in Jaina philosophy and religion, but also in all the branches of Jinistic literature comprising science, geography, astronomy, art and architecture, the occult and religious practices, philosophy, management, political and social science and history which for the major part are composed in various ancient Indian languages such as Prakrit, Pali, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha, Ardhamagadhi, Kannad, Gujarati etc. Lala Harjas Raiji, known for his integrity and dedication, both in public and private life, was compassionate, calm and composed with clear goals. He was a pious person with true devotion, never one to compromise his principles. In the words of his very close and intimate friend Late Shri Sardari Lal Khanna, "Harjas Rai was a man of forbearance, gentle, soft-spoken and heedful in nature. He was never aggressive but at the same time he was not prepared to lose sight of his objectives or his values". His sobriety, affable manners and cheerful disposition always attracted people, not only of the Jaina community, his friends and relatives but also of those who came in his contact. In short he was the personification of all virtues. What was planted as a seedling and nurtured so lovingly by him has today grown to be a tree that has become a Global name and a centre of higher studies in Jainology and Indic Studies. Parshwanath Vidyapeeth continues to be nurtured by his family till date, now in the third generation with the same dedication and selfless zeal to the cause. This Volume of Jaina Art and Architecture is hence dedicated to the great soul that was Lala Harjas Raiji, who devoted his full life for this noble cause.
"Tvadiyam vastu Govindam tubhyameva samarpaye" (We dedicate to you - all that was received from you)
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