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INTRODUCTION
37
I spent 35 years of my life in the field of research and who is a source of inspiration to me throughout my life.
With esteem, I salute Rev. Muni Shri Jambuvijayaji, an internationally renowned scholar of Indian Philosophy and Jaina Agamas as well and confluence of three sacred riverstreams of true knowledge, penance and meditation. I am fortunate to learn from him many facts regarding scriptures.
Rev. Pam. Pradyumnavijayaji of the samudāya (group) of Late Sāsanasamrāt Rev. Vijayanemisūri, had gone through contents of this work and suggested corrections. I express my gratefulness to him for his kind cooperation and help.
My grateful thanks are due to the authorities of different libraries for allowing me to utilise manuscripts and printed books in their libraries.
I express my sincere thanks to Shri Jayantilal Ratanchand Shah, Shri Jagjivandas Popatlal Shah and Dr. Ramanlal C. Shah, Hon. Secretaries of Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya, for the high devotion they displayed in the gradual publication of the critical edition of the Jaina Agama works.
Shri Kantilal D. Kora, Director of Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya has constantly encouraged me to remain attached to the editing work of the Jaina Agamas in the face of my waning bodily strength and energy. He earnestly desires that my present hearty and sincere cooperation should continue till all the volumes of the Agama Series are published. He has identified himself with the holy work of the Agama series since the commencement of the project for which I devoutly offer my heartiest thanks.
Dr. Nagin J. Shah, a profound scholar of Indian Philosophy and Acting Director of the L. D. Institute of Indology of Ahmedabad, translated my Gujarati Prastāvanā (Introduction) into English, for which I sincerely thank him.
Dr. Chinubhai Nayak, Dr. Kumarpal Desai and Shri Laxmanbhai Bhojak have read this introduction and suggested some important corrections, for which I heartily thank them.
At the end, I express my feeling that I constantly experience in the days of my growing old age. It is as follows: bhaddar vattau suyanana jehi ucсhāhio ahań sayayam ! taha samabhāva'bbhāse nimittabhūyāna'samtāņań il 1 || annanamdhamaie mae purā khalu asaggunatthavanań 1 jam jam vihiyamaņuciyam tam nimde tam ca garahāmi || 2 ||
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