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inevitably elaborated the ancient doctrine of the Nirgrantha which soulfully treasured up the principles of the cãturyāma and the pañcamahāvrata. According to the author the 'original form of Senagana was Pancastupanvaya. A copper plate inscription dated G.E. 159 (478-79 A.D.) from Paharpur (now in Bangladesh) refers to Guhanandin of Pancastupinikaya who presided over a Jaina vihāra at village Vatagohali (Rajshahi district). Since the Senagana was also known as Surasthagana its connection with Saurastra has been suggested. In this connection it will be interesting to recall that according to K.V. Krishna Ayyar the ascetic order of the Essenes which produced John the Baptist belonged to the Senagana. (Jain Journal, October, 1976, p. 71). The scholar has drawn our attention to the disciplined and austere life of the Essenes who steadfastly followed an ideal of non-violence, non-injury, faith and kindness. The Essenes lived in the wilderness of Syria and Palestine.
As already noted, the book of Muni Uttam Kamal Jain contains invaluable details in respect of various divisions of the Svetambara and the Digambara sects which will serve as an essential background for any serious study to be undertaken in this connection. The writer's analyses of materials regarding the Yapaniya sect and his concluding observations evince the talent of an erudite scholar in the field.
DR. MADHU SEN: A Cultural Study of the Nišitha-Curņi. Published by Sohanlal Jaindharm Pracharak Samiti, Amritsar, 1975. Parshvanath Vidyashram Series : 409pp. Rs. 30.00.
A scientific study of ancient texts when fascinates one through the marbled lanes of a dependable historical research highlighting a variegated life amidst controversies the scholar working in the field feels himself amply rewarded. An epic of cultural material as the. Nisītha-Cūrni calls for the patience, learning and a forte of scholars and will thereby distinguish a valuable research. The work is captivating but not as easy as wading over a verdure plain. Dr. Madhu Sen has made a significant contribution in Indological research by making a cultural study of the Niśitha-Curņi not only in its own dimension but also in the perspective of other sources of diverse nature. Dating from 7th century A.D. the text throws an important light upon the various aspects of culture and society assignable to past epochs and traditions. The repertoire of items contained in the Mss. of the Nisītha-Curni belongs to a vast mural of history which will splendidly illuminate such subjects as polity, administration, social life, material culture, economic conditions, education, learning, literature, fine-arts and religion. In view of the importance of the material the text in recent years drew attention of a number of scholars dedicated in the
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