Glory of Jainism

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: 108 jain Tirth Darshan Trust

Page 12

The people who forget their past are condemned to a blighted future. Present flows from the past and the present generation must know its past and grasp its significance. This volume is an attempt to acquaint the people with the glorious past and the heroic figures who shaped it.
The project has been blessed by been blessed by Acharya Shri Chandrodaysurishvarji Maharaj. I am thankful to the trustees of Shri 108 Jain Tirthdarshan Bhavan Trust and one of the trustees Shri Anilbhai Gandhi has evinced keen interest in the project and for which I am thankful to him. The illustrations in the volume are an evidence of the supreme art of Shri Ashok Shaha (Padmaputra) and Smt. Prarthana Ashokbhai Shaha. A fact needs to be mentioned here that the sketches of the lives of the great figures are in conformity with the pictures available. Every cult of Jain religion has its own figures of sterling qualities and delineation of their lives needs to be undertaken. Into the lives chronicled here are woven a few popular stories which reflect an element of miracle or trials faced by women to prove their spotless character. Kalavati, Sushila, Prabhavati, Pushpchula, Narmadasundari, Malaysundari and Chelana are there to emphasise the importance of spotless character and piety and are to be seen in that light only. One needs to remember that these are ancient stories recording ancient socio-cultural setup and gender-roles. I hope this will help a modern reader to trace self-assertion in a sati's willingness to subject herself to a test to prove her spotless character. After all it was a partiarchal Society !
I am thankful to Shri Shailesh Desai of Hi-scan Ltd. for the excellent printing of the volume.
I am grateful to Shri Dalsukhbhai Malvaniya, Dr. Naginbhai Shah, Dr. Ranjana Harish, Prof. T. J. Punani, Dr. Mahesh Choksi and others for the translation very competently done.
The beautiful and attractive illustrations in the volume are on display in Shri Samavasaran temple in the great centre of pilgrimage, Shatrunjaya. Devotees visiting Shatrunjaya can have a glimpse of these lovely portraits.
The volume is my sentimental creation and the purpose behind highlighting the importance of Jainshasan is to derive inspiration from those who serve as a beacon to us. I shall find fulfillment of my life if this small volume transmits the message and the true meaning of Jainism and Jain philosophy to people in the twenty-first century, succeeds in shaping the future generations and in acquainting the non-Jain community with a few facets of Jain religion which has been a source of abiding inspiration to mankind at large.
- Kumarpal Desai