Shraman Bhagvana Mahavira Part 1

Author(s): Ratnaprabhvijay, D P Thaker
Publisher: Parimal Publication

Page 18

EXTRACT FROM MODERN REVIEW
MARCH 1944
Presidential Address Philosophy and Religions Section) delivered at the Twelfth all India, Oriential Conference held at Benares Hindu University Benares
(December 31 943 and January 1 & 2 1944) The Jaina Sadhus have been writing in Sanskrit for a pretty long time on Jaina thoughts It is gratifying to find that they have lately begin to write in English also, to popularisle their kthoughts. This will enable us to have more lauthentic books based on original sources and traditions of the Sampradaya Itg is our first duty to preserve the traditions which also can guide us like a forch in our scholarly pursuits to bring into lifht the hidden treasures of 1;thoughts. It is because we have lost tradition in several branches of our literature, thalt we are quite in the dark as to the correct interpretation of various important problems connected with them
I am glad to mention in this connection the efforts made by Muni Ratna Prabha Vijaya of Ahmedabad Under the common title, Sramana Bhagavan Mahavira he has brought out four volumes, The firsst part of Volume I deals with the twenty six Bhavas (existences) of Mahavira after the realisation of Samyaktva (right seventh IBhava of Mahavira as Vardhamana Kumara The thrid volume treats of Ganadhara vada thast is Ithe explanation of the doubts of the eleven chief disciples of Mahavirla namely of Indrabhuti and others The fourth volume is nameld sthaviravalı whichi contains an exposition of the sthaviras that is the old and highly respected lealrned asceties All the works are well annotated, translated, and explained Every effort has been made to make these volumes useful and up-to-date The expositions though very lucid, interesting, and informative are someltimels more frivolous. To write much more than what is necessary seems to be a habit with the modern Jaina writer For a scholarly work brevity of expression should always be adhered to.
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