Jain Shwetambar Conference Herald 1915 Book 11 Jain Itihas Sahitya Ank

Author(s): Mohanlal Dalichand Desai
Publisher: Jain Shwetambar Conference

Page 32

238 . Shri Jaina Conference Herald.
( 2 ) Every scholar, of course, knows the Panchatantra edition of Kielhorn and Buehler. This text I have shown to be the work of some Jaina Acharya, whose date and name are not yet known. My recent researches on the History of the Panchatantra have shown me, that the influence which this text exercised on later authors is much greater than I previously supposed. Not only Jaina, but also Hinduistic Brahmans largely availed themselves of this work. The word. ing of the original may differ in some degree from that of the Bombay edition, since this edition is based on a single Ms. which cannot have been very old. Whoever should dis. cover the name and the date of the author of this text, which are not given in the edition and which I did not find in all the Mss, available for me, would render a most important service to the literary history of India and of the world. The author must have lived before 1199 A. D., since Purna. bhadra used his work. Scholars who should inform me about this point would secure a claim to my most heartfelt gratitude, I should at once publish their discovery with their name.
As by the above lines I hope, dear sir, to have convi. need you that the narrative literature of the Jainas is extremely important, and as I hope that these lines might induce Jaina scholars to collaborate with me in this most interesting field of research, I beg you to publish this letter in the ga grea, where it will certainly be read by the most learned pandits of your honorable community.
I am, dear sir, Yours most faithfully
Grossbauchlitz near Doebeln,
Saxony, August 8, 1912.
Professor Johannes Hertel.
* * * We are thankful to Muni Maharaja Shri Vidyavijayaji who has favoured us with this useful article originally 'meant for Jaina Shasana. We are glad to publish it in ex tenso.
-EDITOR