Jain Journal 1988 10

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

Page 44

BOOK REVIEW
VARDHAMAN JIVAN-KOS Vol II, ed by Mohanlal Banthia and Srichand Choraria, Jain Darsan Samiti, Calcutta, 1984. Pages 45+343. Price Rs. 65.00.
This is an age of systematic enquiry and research. So, when a scholar undertakes the study of a particular topic, he does not rest satisfied with a single source or version handed down to him by traditions, literary, epigraphical or oral. Whereas a simple believer would not question the authority of the scriptures or traditions he puts his faith in the modern investigator would try to explore all the sources relating to the subject under study, and examine thoroughly all the aspects and relevant details connected with it. This unbounded spirit of enquiry and tendency to a comprehensive methodical approach have been greatly facilitated by the discovery, publication or availability and specialised studies of the diverse source material related to almost every subject or branch of learning which may arouse the interest of a scholar. There is thus now no dearth of source material of various kinds and categories on almost any topic which is sought to be investigated. This in itself, however, makes the task of the researcher much more arduous and time-consuming. And, herein lies the importance of different kinds of reference books which render his task comparatively easy and smooth. Topical dictionaries constitute a very valuable class of such reference books.
So far, as Jainological studies are concerned, encyclopaedias like the Abhidhāna Rājendra Kośa and the Jainendra Siddhānta Kośa, several bibliographies, collections of colophons, catalogues of manuscripts, glossaries of technical terms, dictionaries of historical persons and places, and collections of inscriptions and of other historical records like pontifical genealogies and Vijñapti-patras, etc. have already been published. These reference books are undoubtedly of immense help to the research scholar of Jainological studies. The conception of topical dictionaries like the present one is, however, a bit different from that of the works mentioned above.
The late Sri Mohanlal Banthia was, perhaps the first to initiate, develop and launch upon a scheme of compiling topical dictionaries of Jaina religion, philosophy and traditions. He was lucky in having a hardworking, dedicated and competent assistant in Pt Srichand Choraria.