Life of Hemchandracharya

Author(s): Manilal Patel
Publisher: Singhi Jain Shastra Shiksha Pith Mumbai

Page 10

PREFACE
The following essay is a translation of the late Professor G. Bühler's original German treatise entitled "Ueber das Leben des Jaina Mönches Hemachandra, des Schülers des Devachandra aus der Vajradakha," which appeared in the Denkschriften der philosophisch-historischen Classe der kaiserlichen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Vienna, vol. xxxvii (1889), pp. 171-258. Bühler's treatise has since remained the most authentic. and thorough biographical statement on the life of Hemacandräcārya (1086-1173 A. D.), the most eminent Jaina (Svetämbara) monk and polymath of mediaeval Gujarat. A shrewd and talented exponent of his faith, Hemacandra won himself an undying name in the history of Jainism. He wielded great influence over Jayasimha Siddharaja (A. D. 1094-1143), one of the mightiest monarchs of Gujarat, and actually converted his successor, king Kumarapala, so that the Jaina religion gained a firm footing in Gujarat, which has not been shaken as yet. Hemacandra was, moreover, one of the greatest Indian scholars of all time, whose vast learning and literary labours are sufficient to secure him an honoured place in the history of Indian Philology. His life should indeed be of grost appeal and interest, not only to the students of Jainism but also to those of Sanskrit literature and of ancient Indian history and culture. Nono "would therefore dispute the desirability of rescuing Buhler's masterly treatise on the life of Hemacandra from the almost obsolate files of the above-mentioned Viennese journal and of presenting an English version of the same so as to attract a wider circle of readers.
It only remains for mo to perform the very pleasant task of expressing my deep gratitude to Muni Jinavijayaji and to Sjt. Bahadur Singhji Singhi, the editor and the founder of the Singh Jaina Series, for their kind and helpful interest in my humble literary activities. I am also specially indebted to Professor Dr. M. Winternitz, who not only has kindly written the Foreword to this work but has also carefully read the printed forms in advance and suggested improvements, most of which are incoporated in the Errata. To my friend and colleague, Professor Krishna Kripalani, B. A., Bar-at-law, my thanks are due for his kindly going through the MS. with me.
Vidyabhavana, Visva-Bharati, SANTINIKETAN, July, 1936,
1 Simultaneously also issued as a seperate reprint.
2 See also T. Zachariae, Die ind. Wörterbucher (GIAP. i. 3b [1897]), pp. 30-35; H. Jacobi, ERE. vol. vi, p. 591; J. Hertel, Ausgewählte Erzählungen aus Hemacandras Paris'istaparvan, Leipzig (1908), Einleitung, pp. 1-5.
M. P.
3 According to Jacobi's calculation the birthdate of Hemacandra would be the 1st December, 1088 A D., see Hertel, ibid. p. 1, n. 2.