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Foreword
The canonical literature of the Jains is a valuable repository of various of learnings, in which copious discussion on diverse subjects is available. Especially, the Bhagavatī Sūtra originally titled as 'Viahāpaṇṇatti' which is one of the most important Jain canonical texts contains multitudinous variety of fields of knowledge which, if studied critical and comparatively with other disciplines, can yield numerous new facts. Unfortunately a little work has been done in this direction of Indological studies. Those who are doing research in the field of Jainology can not do justice to the subject unless they study deeply the Jain canonical texts.
It is a matter of delight that some scholars doing research in Jain Vishva Bharati and Jain Vishva Bharati Institute at Ladnun are undertaking studies in this little explored field. Among them are some monks, nuns and samanis Dr. Samani Chaitnya Pragya is one of them, who has not only critically evaluated the doctrines described in the Bhagavati Sūtra from philosophical standpoint but also from scientific standpoint, in her thesis entitled "Scintific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra" (With Special Reference to Bhagavatī Sūtra). Definitely it is a commendable effort. The scholars who are fond of exploration in unknown field of knowledge will get such topics in this thesis, which are important both for philosophical as well as scientific contemplation and research.
I express my auspicious feelings for Samaniji that she would make deeper studies in Jainlology and present more useful material for the scholarly world so that this almost unknown field would become more explicit.
Acharya Mahapragya
25/9/2004
Siriyārī, Pālī (Raj.)
