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INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY E.W. THOMAS
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prominence in his writings and its rarity in Shvetambara books may indicate a superior importance in the Digambara teaching.
Attention may be drawn also to the discussion of time (II.48 sqq.), as an infinite of one dimension, passing through each infinitesimal (pradesha) of space. There are also some other special features in the Jaina doctrine of infinitesimal particles. The distinction of infinite (ananta) and incalculable (asamkhyeya) numbers is likewise of interest: see J. L. Jaini in Gommata-sara, Jiva-kanda, pp. 20 sqq. The nigodas, or nikotas, minute living creatures, are mentioned in Sutra-prabhrta, v. 18)
The commentator, Amrtachandra, composed commentaries also on the Samaya-sara ( Tatparya-vrtti) (Atma-khyatı] and the Panchastikayagatha. He is known, moreover, as author of independent works, Purushartha-siddhy-upaya, Samaya-sara-kalasha-nataka, and Tattvarthasara. ... His commentary on the Pravachana-sara is elaborate and of a severe, almost painful, precision, which leaves nothing to be supplied and by no means shrinks from reiteration. He is an excellent master of Jaina Sanskrit: he employs a fullness of phrase which not unfrequently gives an impression of an enjoyment of sonorous circumlocution and complicated sentences rather than of a simple striving for exactitude, and which renders the work of interpretation and translation extremely difficult; but no special charity is required for recognizing in the remorsefessness of style the outcome of an inflexible religious faith. Like other Jaina writings, the commentary is entirely void of personal display; but there are some few passages where it adopts a strain of enthusiasm and even indulges in verse.
In the long travail of composing and verifying the translation, which may, it is hoped, convey a fairly correct impression of Digambara thought and style, Professor Faddegon and his editor have been much indebted to Brahmachari Shitalaprasada of Surat, who has perused the whole, for valuable suggestions and corrections and to Mr. Herbert Warren for much loyal and patient cooperation.
