Books on Jainology
Summary
This article is a bibliography titled "Books on Jainology," which reviews a collection of scholarly and devotional works on the history, culture, ethics, and literature of Jainism published between 1907 and 1968. The author's main argument is to catalog and summarize these diverse publications, highlighting their specific contributions to the field of Jain studies for the benefit of researchers. The evidence presented consists of detailed descriptions of each book, including the author's name, publisher, year of publication, page count, price, and a summary of the content. The sources discussed are a wide array of texts. Amar Chand's 1952 work, "Hastinapura, the glory of Ancient India," focuses on the archaeology and history of Hastinapura. Bhargava Dayanand's 1968 book, "Jaina Ethics," offers a comparative study of ethical principles with their metaphysical background, covering the conduct of householders and monks, penances, and spiritual stages, alongside appendices on Svetambara and Digambara literature. The edited volume by Bharilia and others, "Muni Sri Hajarimal Smrti Granth" (1965), is divided into five parts, with Part V specifically containing articles on Jainology alongside sections on philosophy, culture, history, and language. Brahmachari Sitalprasad's 1954 "Madras va Maisir Prant-ke Pracin Jain Smarak" is a descriptive catalogue of Jaina vestiges in the Madras and Mysore regions. Durgaprasad and Vasudeva Laxmana Shastry Panasikar's 1907 "Kavyamala" contains the text of numerous rare Sanskrit kavyas, natakas, and stotras by various authors like Manatungacarya, Siddhasena Divakara, and Jinaprabha Suri. Jain Jyotiprasad's 1961 "Bharatiya Itihas ek drsti" presents a history of India from a Jaina perspective. Jain Kailash Chand's 1963 "Jainism in Rajasthan" examines the historical role, divisions, art, literature, and contributions of Jainism to Rajasthan. The edited "Srimad Rajendra Siri Smarak Granth" (1957) by Nahata Agarchand and others contains felicitation articles and works on Jainology in multiple languages. Finally, Muni Harsavimal's 1955 "Life story of Sri Parsvanatha," translated by Kamta Prasad Jain, provides a short life sketch of Parsvanatha with stories from his previous lives.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The reviewed literature on Jainology reveals a broad and multifaceted academic engagement with the religion's diverse dimensions. The key findings demonstrate that contemporary scholarship encompasses a wide spectrum of inquiry, from detailed archaeological and historical investigations of ancient sites like Hastinapura to comprehensive analyses of ethical frameworks and metaphysical principles. Furthermore, the texts highlight the importance of regional studies, particularly concerning the historical and cultural impact of Jainism in areas such as Rajasthan and the South Indian states. The significance of these works lies in their collective contribution to a more nuanced understanding of Jain philosophy, literature, art, and history. By providing critical editions, comparative studies, and regional analyses, these publications serve as essential resources for both specialists and general readers, thereby enriching the broader field of Indological studies and preserving the rich intellectual heritage of Jainism.