Saptapadarthi

Author(s): Shivadityacharya, Jinvardhansuri, J S Jetly
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Editorial
We are happy to publish the reprint of the Saptapadarthi by Śivaditya along with its commentary in Sanskrit by Jinavardhana süri (14th cent.). This work was the first in the series of publications undertaken by this Institute. It was out of stock for the past several years, and there had been a persistent demand for it: so, we decided to issue its reprint. The first edition was hand composed. The reprint has been freshly typeset on the computer. Hopefully, it will meet the need of the scholars, indeed for some years to come since the supply will continue.
The Saptapadarthi essentially is 'a book for the beginners,' particularly for the students of the Vaieika philosophy. The commentary of the Jainācārya on it is very lucid. Besides, it is important as the oldest available commentary on this treatise. In the Jaina manuscripts libraries, we come across works related not only to Jainism but also those that pertain to other ancient daranas, religions. Similarly, the Jaina teachers also had commented on works other than those dealing with Jaina philosophy. Even in such endeavours, their faith in the Jaina philosophical doctrines and stands remained intact. This approach in large measure helped students in the comparative study of ancient Indian philosophies. Such works, in point of fact, illustrate the vindication of the 'Anekānta' view of the Jaina epistemologists, particularly in cases where they do full justice to the subject, as Haribhadra did when he competently commented on the Buddhist work of logic and epistemology, the Nyāyabindu. It also is illustrative of their keen pursuit of knowledge and provides evidence of their orientation toward studying in depth various schools of Indian schools of thinking.
Begun with the prefatory to the first edition of the present work by Shri Jitendra Jetly who edited it, the L.D. Series was graced by his competent editing and consequently we gratefully remember him. We must, at this juncture, also take note of Pt. Dalsukhbhai Malvania's contribution to this Series. Besides being the Director of this Institute, he was the initiator, programmer as well as the principal editor of this Series whose volumes have received international recognition and acclaim. The Institute will remain especially indebted to him for this singular academic service. Unfortunately, he, as well as the Editor of the first edition, Dr. Jetly, are no longer with us. They certainly would have been pleased to see the reprint. Even when they are physically not present, their blessings and best wishes, we believe, continue to be with us.
We gratefully acknowledge the help of the Sharadaben Chimanbhai Education Research Centre, Ahmedabad, and the diligent scrutiny of the proofs by Shri Naranbhai Patel of that Centre in our endeavours at preparing this reprint.
L. D. Institute of Indology
Ahmedabad-9-2003.
Jitendra B. Shah Director