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treasures of thoughts. It is because we have lost tradition in several branches of our literature, that we are quite in the dark as to the correct interpretation of various important problems connected with them.
I am glad to mention in this connection the effort made by Muni Ratna Prabha Vijaya of Ahmedabad. Under the common title, śramaņa Bhagavān Mahavira, he has brought out four volumes. The first part of Volume I deals with the twenty-six Bhavas (existenees) of Mahavira, after the relisation of Samyaktva (Right Belief). The second volume contains an account of the twentyseventh Bhava of Mahāvira as Vardhamana Kumāra. The third volume treats of Gañadhara-vāda, that is the explanation of the doubts of the eleven chief disciples of Mahāvira, namely of Indrabhuti and others. The fourth volume is named Sthavirävali which contains an exposition of the sthaviras that is the old and highly respected learned ascetics. All the works are well annotated, translated, and explained. Every effort has been made to make these volumes useful and up-to-date. The expositions though very lucid, intersting, and informative, are sometimes more frivolous. To write much more than what is necessary seems to be a habit with the modern Jaina writer. For a scholardy work, brevity of expression should always be adhered to.
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From a Review of Books in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland 56 Qeen Anne Street, London W. C. I.
śramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira. Vol. 2, pt. 1, containing 116 Sûtras of Kalpa Sutra. Muni Ratna Prabha Vijaya. With an Introduction by Professor D. P. Thakar M. A. 10x7, pp. 12+20+6+ 284. Ahmedabad; Śri Jaina Grantha Prakäsaka Sabhā, Pānjrāpole, 1942. 7s 6d.
Śramaņa Bhagavân Mahāvīra. Vol. 4, pt. 1. Sthavirāvali. Muni Ratna Prabha Vijaya, 10x7, pp. 8+210. Same publishers, 1941. 5s, 6d.
