________________
महाबन्ध
The Mahābandha, popularly known as Mahādhavalā Siddhanta forms the sixth section (Khaņdā) of the Satkhandāgama, as I had already shown in my introduction to Vol. I of that work where I had also discussed all the evidence available on the point of authorship and the age of these works. No new material has since been brought to light and therefore my views on the subject remain unaltered.
Though Mahābandha is an integral part of the Șatkhandāgama, and is composed by the same author Bhūtabali who did not even provide it with a separate benediction (Mangala), but made it share the one given at the beginning of the fourth Khanda Vedana, yet it has come down to us in a separate manuscript for two reasons. Firstly, the composition is much larger in volume than even all the first five sections put together; and secondly, it contains no commentary by Virasena, the author of Dhavalā, who thought it unnecessary to comment upon a work which was so exhaustively self-sufficient. The subject matter of the work is of a highly technical nature which could be interesting only to those adepts in Jaina philosophy who desire to probe the minutest details of the Karma Siddhānta.
As the General Editor of the Series, I take this opportunity to congratulate and offer my best thanks to Mr. Shantiprasad Jain for establishing the Bharatiya Jnanapitha at Banares and starting this series of publications in memory of his mother Moortidevi, with the noble object of making known to the world the hidden treasures of ancient Indian culture. I hope and trust that with the keen interest of Mrs, Shantiprasad, Shrimati Rama Rani, the President of the Managing Committee, and the industry, zeal and enthusiasm of Nyayacharya Pandit Mahendrakumar Shastri, the acting Director of the institution, the work started would continue to advance steadily towards the goal. I appeal to all scholors to cooperate with the institution in achieving its laudable object.
Morris College, Nagpur. 15th March, 1947
Hiralal Jain General Editor
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
