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neessary to write the thesis in English because I felt that people knowing and reading English should know Śrīmad, his life and philosophy. This book is revised edition of my thesis for Ph.D.
Ś rimad has explained his philosophy and experiences on the path of spiritual sādhanā in Jainological terms. It may be said that hardly any other person has explained the Jina's or Mahāvīra's philosophy in such rational, pure and simple terms.
I cannot but admit that full justice to the subject cannot be done only by studying the works of Śrīmad. It can perhaps be done by one who practises his philosophy by doing intense sādhanā. I have however, tried my best to study and understand his philosophy and spirituality as far as I could.
I have no words to express my feelings of gratitude to Shri Navalmalaji Firodiya, who encouraged me to undertake the mission of propagating studies and research in Prakrit and Jain Vidyā after my retirement from legal practice. This inspired me to pursue studies of Prakrit and Jain Vidyā from very beginning of which this doctorate work is an outcome. I, therefore thought it proper to request him to write a foreward to this work,
