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Foreward
Jainism teaches an all encompassing view of life. Life, it says, is a harmonical synthesis of knowledge, doctrine and conduct. None of these is autonomous and complete in itself. Its their proper combination which gives life its true meaning.
Syādvāda, also called, anekāntavāda is the Jain philosophy which propounds the idea that all knowledge is relative and interconnected, and that no single view.point is definitive. It is intimately connected with the Jain world view of harmony and Synthesis. It inspires tolerance and appreciation of different view-points.
Shri Dalsukh Malvania is a renowned scholar of oriental studies and Jain studies in particular. He is no mere scholar, for he not only brilliantly expounds Jain philosophy but also lives it. This gives to his words an authenticity and catholicity rare among the learned. In this collection of twelve essays written over a period of about 20 fruitful years. Malvania has dealt with different aspects of Jainism often comparing it with Hinduism and Buddhism in order to bring out its distinctiveness.
Prakrit Bharati feels priviledged and deeply obliged to him in publishing this collection. We hope it will enlighten and inspire the readers. Prakrit Bharati is also thankful to Prof. A. S. Gopani for agr to translate these essays from Gujrati in which they had originally appeared. Our thanks are also due to Shri Jitendra Sanghi of Ajanta Printersi or undertaking to print this book.
I request the reader to read 'canon' for the unfortunate misprint 'anons' in the title of the 7th essay (p.89).
Mahopadhyay Vinay Sagar
Joint Secretary Prakrit Bharati Academy, Jaipur.
Devendra Raj Mehta
Secretary Prakrit Bharati Academy, Jaipur.
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