Jinratnakosha Part 1

Author(s): Hari Damodar Velankar
Publisher: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute

Page 8

literature written in Hindi, I am not aware of any such sustained attempt to give a full account of either the authors or their works. It is indeed desirable that lists of the works and authors of Jain literatuie written in the three languages mentioned above should be prepared as early as possible to complete the picture attempted in and started by the Jinaratnakosa; but I find that I am, unable to do his at present at least, because I know nothing at all of the Kannada language.
II
Lastly, I think, I shally be failing in my duty if I do not mention the chief source of my inspiration in the preparation of this Jinaratnakosa. My Guru, the late Professor H. M. Bhadkamkar of Wilson College, had repeatedly expressed a desire to prepare some work resembling the Vedic Index of Macdonell and Keith (Guru and Sisya), in collaboration with nie, his humble pupil, and this was when I was yet to pass my first degree examination. Owing to my misfortune, however, my Guru passed away only six months after I got my B. A. degree and left une all alone to carry out his desire. Ever since that time (May, 1915), I have tried to be a worthy pupil of his, both in my work at the college and in the field of research, and have steadily kept in view the fulfilment of his desire mentioned above. The present work is the first fruit of my attempts, awkward and imperfect though it is, and I humbly offer it to the Spirit of my Guru!
Shastri Hall, Bombay 10th August, 1944
H. D. Velankar