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EDITOR'S PREFACE
The Second Edition of the Pravacanasara (revised, enlarged and remodelled) was brought out by me in 1935. It could be published in a standard form through the patronage of the then authorities of the Rayachandra Jaina Sastramālā, Bombay. It was very well received not only in the circle of Jaina scholars but also by Oriental scholars both in India and outside. Its Reviews by the late Dr. A.B. KEITH and others were quite appreciative and encouraging to me. More or less on the same pattern I brought out a New Edition of the Paramappapayasu (Paramatmaprakasa: Bombay 1937; Third Edition, Agas 1960) in the same Sastramālā.
My Introduction of the Pravacanasara, along with my other editions and papers was submitted by me for the D. Litt. degree of the University of Bombay, my alma mater; and I was awarded it in 1939. This recognition further confirmed my faith in my research pursuits and in the methods of study which I was following on the advice of my Professor, Dr. P. L. VAIDYA, Poona. I continued my studies in Prakrits, Jainology and other allied branches of Indology in an out-of-the-way place like Kolhapur with limited library facilities. Whatever I have been able to achieve, within the limited leisure left to me after doing the College duties, till 1956 is duly recorded in my Books and Papers (Bombay 1956).
Lately, the management of the Rayachandra Jaina śāstramālā has changed hands; and it is now being looked after by Shri RAOJIBHAI DESAI of the Shrimad Rajachandra Ashrama, Agas (via Anand W. Rly.). Shriman RAOJIBHAI is a sincere devotee of spiritualism (adhyatma). He is keenly interested in the progress of this Sastramālā. It is very creditable of the Trustees of the Ashrama to have shouldered the responsibility of this Sastramālā with great religious zeal and with a view to keeping it alive and seeing it progressing.
It was very kind of Shriman RAOJIBHAI DESAI and the Trustees of the Ashrama to have requested me to prepare this present edition of the Pravacanasara. It will be seen that in this edition there are some additional features. The Prakrit text is also continuously printed along with the various readings in the foot-notes. Two more Mss. are collated for the text. Some additions have been made here and there. It is hoped that these features will be welcomed by the readers.
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