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FOREWORD
Jainism claims great antiquity. The following Hymn from the Rigveda, while praising the First Tirthankara Shri Rishabhanatha Swamy establishes the fact that the Jina or Arhanta, was worshipped from time immemorial.
ऋषभं मासमाननां सपत्नानां विसासहीम् । FAR ETZUTI TEJ PORY TATTA 11
(Free X 12.166)
The 23 Tirthankaras that followed Sri Rishabhanatha Swamy have purified the lives of their disciples for the attainment of ultimate reality. The spiritual and ascetic lives of Tirthankaras have inspired the devotees that belong to Jainas as well as Non-Jaina sects and the book in vour hand "Illustrated SHRAMANA BHAGAWAN MAHAVIRA" is a proof of that reality. When the writer Mr. M. Subbarao approached me to learn certain fundamentals of Jainism. I had recommended and handed over to him two great Jama works viz., (1) Illumination of Jaina Tenets by Gurudev Mahaganadhipathi Shri Acharya Tulsi Ji, and (2) Shimana Mahavira by Shri Muninathalmalii. It is only befitting tribute to that this book is dedicated to the pious memory of Sri Acharya Tulasi Ji who had undertaken Malaprayan on 23.6.1997
The aim of this book, I presume, is to create interest in Jainisim among non-Jainas in general and inspire children of Jaina origio in particular. After examining the 100 odd pictures followed by equal number of pieces of text that cover the central theme of the book. I feel that the writer has achieved this objective. I think the writer deserves every encouragement from all sections of Jainas. Let me utilize this opportunity to advise him to devote his energies in future to the writing of such kind of works. I wish him every success in this direction.
(Balachand Sancheti)
Advocate Ramkote, Hyderabad
Jain Educationa International
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