Jain Legend Vol 2

Author(s): Hastimal Maharaj, Shuganchand Jain, P S Surana
Publisher: Hastimal Maharaj Shugan C Jain P S Surana

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From Publisher's desk Historical Contribution
During the past several decades, the absence of multifaceted and fullfledged series of authentic Jain History was much felt by the Jain community. With his strong determination, Jain c rya r Hast Mala J M.S., the great spiritual Guru of this century, had shouldered the responsibility of fulfilling this void. To successfully complete this task, he travelled extensively and collected various valuable scriptures, from different libraries, historical manuscripts and treasures of information on Jain Culture. Besides carrying out his daily duties as a monk and preceptor ( c rya), this diligent Yogi had spent his time in writing a series of scriptures depicting the historical significance of Jainism. Deeply inspired by him, the Jain History Committee started publishing these volumes since 1969-70.
During this period, the History Committee published the following: 1 Pa val Prabamdha Samgraha; 2 c rya Carit val (History of Jain
c ryas); 3 Jain Dharma k Maulika Itih sa (Vol.1) Trthamkara Khamda; and 4 The three historical T rthamkaras (concluding part of T rthamkara Khamda). These four books were published and presented to enlightened readers.
The committee is ever indebted to c rya r for accomplishing the herculean task of compiling the Jain history, during which he had to face a lot of obstacles.
While releasing the Second Volume of the “Jain Dharma k Maulika Itih sa" to the readers, the committee feels that it would not have been possible for us to successfully complete the responsibility of publishing this Volume, but for the divine blessings of c rya r . Besides, the financial and hearty support rendered by the well-wishers relieved us from half of our burden. The first Volume details the history right from the first Trthamkara Vabha Deva up to the latest T rthamkara Mah v ra. The third and fourth Volumes, depicting the history of about 1500 years are under publication. (Since published)
While going through the manuscripts of these two volumes, one feels that c rya r has magic spell not only in his speech but also in his