आणदा

This editorial introduction presents the Apabhramsha composition **“Ānandā” (Ānandatilaka)** by **Mahānandideva** as part of *Jainvidyā*’s initiative to publish important unpublished works in Prakrit, Sanskrit, Apabhramsha, Hindi, Gujarati, Rajasthani, and related languages. The publication follows an earlier text, *Chūnaḍiyā*, and reflects the journal’s ongoing commitment to making significant historical literary works available to readers. The editor describes *Ānandā* as a deeply spiritual composition that is at least **six centuries old**. Many of its verses are considered comparable in thought and mystical expression to the couplets of the renowned poet **Kabir**. The text was edited and translated by **Dr. Devendrakumar Shastri (Neemuch)**, a distinguished scholar of Apabhramsha and Jain philosophy. His edition was prepared using two manuscripts preserved by the institution and a printed version published in the **Ācārya Bhikṣu Smṛti Grantha** by **Abhay Jain Granthamala, Bikaner**. Variant readings from the institutional manuscripts were also documented to assist readers in understanding the original textual tradition. One manuscript is contained in a compilation dated **Vikrama Samvat 1539**, while the second, in a śāstric format, appears to be a later copy. A notable textual difference is that the older manuscript uses the letters “न” and “ण” distinctly and generally lacks the word-final *u*-ending characteristic of Apabhramsha, whereas the later manuscript preserves these linguistic features. This suggests that the later copy may have been transcribed from an older and more authentic exemplar.

Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.