Catalogue of Manuscripts – Review
Summary
This article is a review of three scholarly publications compiled by the late Muni Sri Punyavijayji and other scholars, focusing on Jain manuscript collections and a dictionary of Prakrit proper names. The first work reviewed is the "Catalogue of Manuscripts in Sri Hemachandracarya Jain Jnan Mandir, Vol. 1—Paper Manuscripts," compiled by Muni Sri Punyavijayji and published by Sri Hemachandracarya Jain Jnan Mandir, Patan, in 1972. It lists 14,789 paper manuscripts acquired by the Jnan Mandir from 13 Jain bhandaras. The reviewer notes that the collection at Patan is rich in bhandaras, but the catalogue is incomplete because it excludes half a dozen other bhandaras with impressive collections. The second work is the "New Catalogue of Sanskrit and Prakrit Manuscripts—Jaisalmer Collection," also compiled by Muni Sri Punyavijayji and published by the L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, in 1972. This catalogue lists 2,697 entries under seven heads, updating a 1923 catalogue compiled by Sri C. D. Dalal that contained only 400 entries. The third publication is the "Prakrit Proper Names: Part II," compiled by Mohanlal Mehta and K. Rishabha Chandra, published by the L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, in 1972. The reviewer, K. C. Lalwani, argues that while these catalogues are valuable, they are dry lists that could be more useful if they included thematic summaries, as manuscripts are often difficult to access. Furthermore, the reviewer questions the high cost of such publications, suggesting that journals are a more appropriate medium for such lists. Finally, the reviewer states that a complete Jaina encyclopedia, rather than a mere compilation by one or two men, would be a significant breakthrough in the field.
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Conclusion
This review evaluates three significant publications in Jain studies, highlighting their contributions and limitations. The first two catalogues by Muni Punyavijayji document extensive manuscript collections from Patan and Jesalmer, preserving a vital heritage of Jain scholarship. However, the reviewer notes these works are incomplete and overly costly, suggesting that such inventories would be more appropriately published in journals. The third publication, a dictionary of Prakrit proper names, is acknowledged for its utility but deemed insufficient as a standalone resource. The review implies that a comprehensive Jaina encyclopaedia, compiled by specialists, represents the true future breakthrough for the field. Ultimately, while these catalogues successfully bring ancient texts to public attention, their format and production raise questions about accessibility and scholarly utility within the current academic landscape.