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Laxmi Chand Jain A Modern Jaina Mathematician
Dr. Padmavathamma Department of Studies in Mathematics
University of Mysore
The ancient religion of Jainism is well-known for its excellent culture, tradition and heritage. This religion has produced eminent scholars such as Pampa, Ponna, Ranna, and Janna, who have made monumental contributions to Kannada literature. The celebrated works of the Adipurana and Vikramarjunavijaya by Pampa, the Santipurana, Bhuvanaika Ramabhyudaya and Jinaksaramala of Ponna, and the five famous works the Sahasabhimavijaya, Parasuramacarita, Ajitapurana, and Rannakanda of Ranna, and the Yashodharacarite and Anantapurana of Janna, are all wellknown.
The contribution of Jainas is not confined to literature alone, but has also extended to the sciences in general, and mathematics in particular. The very fact that there was a "Jaina School of Mathematics" during the ancient period is proof of this. Acharya Nemicandra Siddhantacakravarthi, a contemporary of (the commander-in-chief) Camundaraya (of the Rastrakuta dynasty) was a mathematician, and his celebrated works are the Gommatasra and Trilokasara. For an excellent account of his mathematics, one can refer to the article "Mathematics of Nemicandra," by B. Datta (The Jaina Antiquary, Vol.1, No.2, 1935, pp. 25-44).
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