Jain Journal 1997 04

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

Page 36

BOOK REVIEW
scholar and has contributed quite a lot to the field of Prakrit and Jainology, it is quite in the fitness of things that his articles should be published in a book form in one place. We have some instances also like this in the past. P.K. Gode's articles were published in 4 volumes by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute some more than 50 years ago. If his articles were not published it would have been difficult for us to estimate his scholarship on the subject of manuscriptology on which he has spent his whole life. Similarly collected articles of Professor S.K. Chatterji have also been published by some Delhi publishers and some volumes by Calcutta publishers. However, these are some instances of many which show how important is this idea of publishing a selection of some articles of a scholar. However, this is a very welcome idea for which the publisher must be congralutated.
Khadabadi's articles can broadly be divided into several categories. On Jainism he has written the teachings of Mahavira and on Ahimsā and some concepts of truth in Jainism. The doctrine of Anekanta and some aspects of Jaina yoga are other interesting articles which need special attention of the readers. His contribution to the South-Indian Jainism with particular reference to Karṇāṭaka is a valuable contribution to the Jainistic study.
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His studies on the Prakrit language are other interesting features in this book. He has several articles on the influence of Middle IndoAryan literature and language, on Kannaḍa literature and language. This portion of his collections of articles will help the scholars in future to pursue some more studies on this point. The other aspect of his articles is the individual authors like Somadeva Suri, and Kundakundācārya, and treatises like Bhagavati Ārādhanā, Kathākoṣa, or Gāthāsaptasati are very much interesting and thought-provoking. He has also an article on the Apabhramsa.
On the whole, this book is a valuable publication and rich in quality. Although most of the articles may be known to most of serious scholars, a fresh reading of these articles will give a chance to brush up their memories and to look into the problems again with a new outlook. I hope the reading public will enjoy reading this book in a better way. I, therefore, recommend this book to all the readers of Prakirt and Jainism.
Satya Ranjan Banerjee