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It is a matter of profound gratification that this sacrosanct scripture, Mahābandha, is undergoing the second edition. When it was first printed in 1947, it was revealed that more than three thousand slokas of the palm-leaf manuscript were irrevocably destroyed by moths. This information deeply pinched the soul of the greatest Digambar Jain Saint. His Holiness Caritra Cakravarti-108 Acārya Shanti Sagar Mahārāj, who was then spending his Chaturmās period of rainy season in the Jain Tirtha, Kunthalgiri (Maharashtra State). When the saint's mental worry and disturbed internal condition became known, the devoted disciples humbly prayed for conveying to them the internal difficulty. His Holiness observed. "Look here, precious part of the most ancient and sacred Jain literature is lost for ever. If immediate care is not taken for proper preservation of the remaining literary priceless treasure, we shall one day become paupers. I, therefore, feel it imperative that the entire Siddhanta literature comprising of one lakh and seventy thousand slokas should be inscribed in copper plates so that it may last for hundreds of years."
Preface to the Second Edition
The master's bidding was immediately obeyed and about two lakhs of rupees were contributed by the generous, opulent and cultured disciples to fulfil the sublime desire of the saint.
Fortunately, the sacred responsibility of critically editing and printing the entire Mahabandha comprising of forty thousand slokas was entrusted to me.
In view of my onerous responsibility and arduous duty, I had been to the Jain monastery at Moodbidri (South Kanara) with a view to critically examine and collate the press copy with the palm-leaf manuscript of the Shästra Bhandar with my younger brother Abhinandan Kumar Diwakar, M.A., LL, B., Advocate, Seoni. This effort was very fruitful since several inaccuracies could be detacted then. Thus the work was accomplished in such a way that His Holiness was much pleased and he bestowed his valuable blessings on me. I had made a deep study of several Jain canonical compositions of master thinkers and literary luminaries, This study equipped me with such new and novel material as necessitated to thoroughly revise the first edition and make necessary additions and alterations in order that the wisdom-lovers may be profited thereby. I, therefore, have improved this second edition with seveval new explanatory notes appended to the translation and have equipped the Hindi introduction with many a new points of information. All this is due to the great benevolent saint His Holiness Acarya Säntisāgar Mahārāj who was gracioulsy pleased to provide me the sublime opportunity to serve the cause of learning and thus purify and elevate my humble self. Since the said great Acarya left his mortal coil after a fast lasting for 36 days in 1955 by way of superb Sallekhana-Ideal and pious death-because his eyesight grew dimmer and thus he could not faithfully follow the Ahimsa Mahāvrata-complete vow of non-injury. I have, therefore, dedicated this volume to the sacred memory of the immortal saint.
Diwakar Sadan
Seoni
26th January, 1965
Jain Education International
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