Jain Journal 1970 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 33

JANUARY, 1970
139
Research further receives great help by compilations as are catalogues of private libraries, collections of Pattāvalis and Praśastis, biographies, etc. They all, however, are overshadowed by the Abhidhāna Rājendra, a Sanskrit encyclopedia in 7 volumes, whose Prakrit catchwords are taken from the canonical and scholastical literature of the Svetambaras, a monumental work by Vijayarajendra Suri (1827-1907, Ratlam 1913-25). A glossary of the canon in three languages is the Illustrated Ardha-Māgadhi Dictionary of Mnui Ratnacandra in 5 volumes (Indaur 1923-32). Prakrits of all kind including that of the Jainas have flown together to mix in the ocean called Pāia-sadda-mahannavo, a complete Prakrit-Hindi Dictionary (1928) by Pandit Hargovind Das Sheth. Precise data of places as well as large supplements will increase the value of that great work. Among the periodicals we should like to mention the Anekānt, Jain Antiquary, Jain Hitaisī where literature and history are being discussed by Jaina authors, many of whom, of course, have contributed also to non-Jinist journals. Nearest related to the periodicals are the series (granthamālā). In many cases they represent a very remarkable file including are and significant works provided with a scholarly introduction. It is a that many granthamālās should have become known in the West in fragments, if at all. The Svetambaras can be proud of the volumes, apart from the Siddhānta, published by the Agamodaya Samiti, by the Devchand Lalbhai Jain Pustakoddhara, the Atmananda Grantharatnamala (Bhn, 1911 ff.), the Yasovijaya Jain Granthamala started in 1904 and apparently the oldest Jaina series, and many more literary undertakings which cannot be enumerated here. Our thanks are equally due to the Digambaras. A parallel to the Siddhānta are the classical Digambara authors. They have been printed and translated in the Sacred Books of the Jainas (Arrah 1917 ff.); Sanatana Jain Granthamala (ben. 1917 ff.); Sri Rajacandra Jain Sastramala (Bo. 1916 ff.) ; Manikcandra Jain Granthamala (Bo. 1915 ff.). The most recent series is the Jnanapitha Murtidevi Jain Granthamala (Banaras 1948 ff.); a younger counterpart to the Singhi Jain Granthamala (Bo. 1933 ff) of the Svetambaras, edited by Muni Jinvijaya.
These intimations are merely meant to demonstrate the respectable activity within the Jaina communities as to their almost inexhaustible stock of literature, an activity radiating as far as to the field of Western research. This state of affairs can be dated from the first two decades of this century. It is true that it was Hoernle who, as early as in 1890, could dedicate the first volume of his Uvāsagadasão to Vijayananda Suri (Anandavijaya=Atmarama 1837-97) in grateful acknowledgement of various suggestions and corrections, though it is equally true that it was