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Vardhamana-Jivana-Kosha-compiled and edited by Mohanlal Banthia and Srichand Choraria, Jain Darsan Samiti, 160, Dover Lane, Calcutta-700 029, 1980 p.p. 51 +584.
The publication of Vardhamana Jivana-Kosha (Cyclopaedia of the life of Vardhamana, compiled and edited by Mohanlal Banthia and Srichand Choraria, is a unique contribution to the scholarly world of Jainistic studies. The conception of compiling a dictionary on the life and teaching of Lord Mahavira is itself a new one, and the compilers must be thanked for such a venture.
This type of cyclopaedia has been a dessideraturn for a long time. The book is divided into several sections as far as 99 and sub-divided into several other decimal points for the easy reference. The system followed in this classification is the international decimal system. Each decimal point is arranged in accordance with the topic connected with the life and history of Vardhamana Mahavira. in each section and under each topic the original quotations from nearly 100 books followed by Hindi translation are given. These quotations ara not only valuable, but they represent the authenticity of the incidents of the life of Mahavira. To compile such quotations in one place is a monumental one and tremendous labour is involved therein.
The Jain Darsana samiti has published two other Kosas kes'ya Kos'a (1966) and Kriya Kos'a (1969). The Pudgala Kos'a and the Dhyana-Kosa seen to have been compiled and awaiting publications for a decade now.
The Vardhamana Jivana-Kosa is not only unique but also very useful for the handy reference, to the source material on Mahavira's life story. The author has ransacked both the Swetambara and Digambara materials. This is an exceptionally good book and must
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