Maurice Winternitz

Umāsvāmi/Umāsvāti

By Maurice Winternitz

This article examines the identity and contributions of the early Jain acharya Umāsvāmi (also known as Umāsvāti). Digambara tradition regards him as a disciple of Kundakunda and honours him with the…

Alexander and Alexandria in Indian Literature

By Maurice Winternitz

Notes on the Guhyasamaja‑Tantra and the Age of the Tantras

By Maurice Winternitz

This opening article pays homage to the late scholar Haraprasad Sastri and his outstanding contributions to Buddhist literature in Nepal and Tibet. It begins by describing the Guhyasamāja Tantra—an…

Jataka Gathas and Jataka Commentary

By Maurice Winternitz

The Jataka Gathas and Jataka Commentary hold significant importance for understanding Indian literary types and social life in ancient India. Historically, scholars like H. Oldenberg used the Jatakas…

Aditya, the supposed author of an Arthasastra

By Maurice Winternitz

Aditya, often attributed as the author of an *Arthasastra*, has been critically examined in scholarly discourse. G. and H. Q. (pp. 384f) argue that Jayaswal’s *Aditya Arthasistra* relies on a…

Surunga and the Kautiliya Arthasastra

By Maurice Winternitz

This paper responds to Otto Stein’s suggestion that the Sanskrit word suruṅga (‘tunnel’ or ‘mine’) is a loan from the Greek syrinx. The author reviews occurrences of the term in Indian literature…