________________
728
The Unknown Pilgrims
certain rigidity, in that these words belong to a very specialised vocabulary, whereas one would have preferred the meaning to have been transmitted through some simpler and more commonly used Hindi expression. This, however, is only a minor detail.
8. A brief review of the writings and translations of
Āryikā Śri Jñānamati
Of all contemporary Jaina women ascetics, it is Mātāji who has written and translated the most, and her productive flow is far from exhausted. Her intense intellectual activity, the expression of her no less intense spiritual life, extends into all spheres in which she hopes to be able to enlighten the śrāvakas and śrāvikās, help them to understand the doctrine and perform with devotion the rituals and the worship. In thc November 1977 number of Samyagjñāna, the monthly review published by Mātāji, there is the following list of her publications:
1. Hindi commentaries upon Sanskrit doctrinal treatises: 8.
2. Translations of prākrit poctic texts into Hindi poetry (among them
the bhaktis of the daily ritc): 18.
3. Composition in Hindi on doctrinal subjects: 30.
4. Hymns of praise composed in Sanskrit: 30.
5. Hymns of praise composed in Hindi: 30. 6. Compositions in Kannada (2 hymns of praise and a short treatise):
3. 7. At the present time Mātāji is working upon 2 Hindi commen-taries
on doctrinal works and also a grammar. 13
13 When this English translation was already completed, I received from the Digambara Jaina Institute of Cosmographic Research, Hastināpura, Mātāji's "List of Publications" for 1988. Their number amounts of 88: translations of major texts of doctrine with their commentaries, books, booklets. And Mātāji, imperturbable, carries on with her work.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org