Books Received
Summary
The “Books Received” section lists recent publications in Jain studies and related fields, reflecting the diversity and vitality of contemporary scholarship. New editions of classical texts include A. Chakravarti‑Nayanar’s *Pañcāstikāyasāra* with philosophical and historical introductions, revised from its original 1920 publication; K.R. Chandra’s *Bhagawan Mahāvīra, Prophet of Tolerance*; and two volumes of Balabhadra Jain’s Hindi work *Bhārat‑ke Digambar Jain Tīrth*, comprehensive guides to holy places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal and Orissa. There are cultural studies such as Bhag Chandra Jain’s *Devgarh‑kī Jain Kalā—Ek Saṃskṛtik Adhyayan*, which analyses the art of Devgarh, and Binod Kumar Jain’s *Āgampath*, a special issue devoted to the life of the saint Kanji Swami. Historical and philosophical works reviewed include G.R. Jain’s *Cosmology Old and New*, a revised edition comparing Jain cosmology with modern science; Hiralal Jain’s *Jina‑vānī*, translations of verses on conduct; Jamnalal Jain’s *Mānavatā‑ke Mandarācal Bhagavān Mahāvir*, a tract on Mahāvīra; and Jyoti Prasad Jain’s *Pramukh Aitihāsik Jain Purus aur Mahilāyen* and *Religion and Culture of the Jainas*, compendia on eminent Jain men and women and the faith’s history and philosophy. Other notable entries are K. VidYādhar Johrapurkar’s *Vīr Śāsan‑ke Prabhāvak Ācārya*, documenting prominent Digambara ācāryas; Satish Kumar Jain’s *Progressive Jains of India*, profiling poets, scientists and public figures; Rajaram Jain’s edition of the twelfth‑century Apabhraṃśa poem *Vaddhamāna Carita*; Kuntha Jain’s *Vardhamān Rūpāyan*, containing three dramas; Muni Uttam Kamal Jain’s *Jaina Sects and Schools*, a comprehensive study of sectarian differences; Vidyadhar Johrapurkar’s biographies of ācāryas; and the *Śrī Agar Chand Nahata Abhinandan Granth*, a festschrift with biographical essays. Together, these titles span scriptural exegesis, biography, pilgrimage guides and literary criticism, providing readers and researchers with invaluable resources for understanding Jain doctrine, culture and history.
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Conclusion
By surveying a broad spectrum of recent publications, the section highlights the continuing vitality of Jain studies. Works on philosophy, history, art and biography enrich our understanding of Jainism and provide resources for both scholars and lay readers. The diversity of subjects—from cosmology and sectarian history to pilgrimage guides and literary compilations—attests to the depth and breadth of contemporary research in the field.