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JAIN JOURNAL
for on critical analysis it is found that all the texts are interconnected and there is plenty of evidence to show that they borrowed from one another, that they were interdependent and resorted to cross-references is very plain.
Nevertheless it is to be recognised that the Bhagavati is a varitable store-house of Jaina lore comprising dogmatics, traditions, tales and stories, etc. introduced into it as questions and answers between Lord Mahavira and some of his intimate disciples, and described as having been handed down by several generations of Elders.
The present work by Dr. Sikdar shows considerable labour in its elaborate analysis of the contents of the text from the historical, doctrinal, socio-economic, cultural, and political points of views, which we hope, will be useful to future enquirers.
A special feature of this text is the elaborate account it gives, of course from a sectarian point of view, of the sect of the Ajivikas, its doctrines, the life of its leader and his relation with Mahavira. The Ajivikas were regarded in Mahavira's time as the principal adversary of the Jainas and thus were strongly criticised. So also were they disliked by the Buddhists although in Budha's time the Jainas and the Brahmins were looked upon as his adversaries.
2. HARIBHADRA-KE PRAKRIT KATHA SAHITYA-KA ALOCANATMAK PARISILAN by Dr. Nemi Chandra Shastri : 1965 : Pages ii+dha +419+ja : Price Rs. 10.30.
This work is in Hindi on the compositions of the famous man of letters, Haribhadra of the 8th 9th centuries A.D., a name which became so notable that it was assumed by no less than eight subsequent Jaina writers as well.
The present work traces the development of Jaina Prakrit literature and Haribhadra's valuable contribution to it. It deals in considerable details with the growth and evolution of the extensive narrative literature of the Jainas, its forms and technique, Haribhadra's own contribution to it, the sources of his tales and dialogues, his style, language, and the artistic qualities thereof, together with a description of the topographical, botanical, zoological, social and cultural background of the world around Haribhadra. The work will prove useful to future workers in the field without doubt.
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