Tarkatarangini

Author(s): Gunratna, Vasant G Parikh
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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INTRODUCTION
(1) THE ACQUAINTANCE
It is a well established fact that Jainācāryas, while contributing in the field of Indology, have written not only on Jain Śăstras, but have stud explored other systems of Indian thought also. The cause for this can be traced in their pursuit of the golden doctrine of Anekantavāda that gives the noble maxim that the realization of truth can be held by various angles of approach. They have written, therefore, commentaries and sub-commentaries on a number of volumes other than their own. .
In the realm of these commentaries, those on Nyāya-vaisesika seem to be conspicuous by their number. Dr. Jetly notes no less than twelve such commentaries in his edition of Tarkasaṁgraha.2 One of them is Tarkatarangiņi by Gunaratna Gani. Dr. Jetly has also written a paper on Tt. that appeared in JOI, Baroda, wherein the learned author suggested that this commentary might prove very useful to those who want to learn the NavyaNyāya system.
This paper created a curiosity to know more about Tt.-a commentary on Tpk. of Gv.-a commentary on Tbh. by Ke. On my inquiry, I found that there existed only two MSS. of this work, viz., (i) at the Oriental Institute, Baroda, and (ii) at the British Museum, London. The commentary consists of about 7500 sloka measure. The further inquiry inspired me to edit this unedited and unpublished text.
Dr. D. R. Bhandarkar in his introduction of Tbh. gives a long list of different commentaries on Tbh.4 Tt. perhaps being a sub-commentary, is not included in it. However, Prof Paranjape, in his introduction of the Tbh., edited together with Tpk. mentions Gn., as the commentator of Tpk. Prof. H. D. Velankar takes notice of the Ms. of Tt. in his Jinaratnakosa. In the