Book Reviews - Jain Pratima Vijnan & Essence of Jainism
Summary
The book review section offers brief evaluations of two recent publications on Jain art and doctrine. In his review of “Jain Pratimā Vijñāna (in Hindi),” Krishna Deva notes that scholarship on Jain iconography has evolved from regionally confined monographs to more comprehensive studies. Early works by T.N. Ramachandran and B.C. Bhattacharya provided general surveys, while U.P. Shah’s “Studies in Jaina Art,” his monograph on the Akota bronzes and later encyclopaedic volumes such as “Jaina Art and Architecture” laid the foundations for systematic research. Against this backdrop Dr. Maruti Nandan Prasad Tiwari’s book stands out for offering a detailed historical and cultural account of Jain images. Deva explains that the volume’s seven chapters trace the emergence of the Jain pantheon, classify images according to sect, region and period, and provide site‑wise analyses of sculptures accompanied by photographs and appendices. He praises the author for summarising the evolution of iconographic prescriptions, elucidating regional variations and including glossaries and bibliographies. Deva concludes that the book is carefully documented, richly illustrated and will be useful to scholars, students and lay readers interested in Jain art. K.C. Lalwani reviews “Essence of Jainism” by Dr. Jyoti Prasad Jain, a concise booklet of forty‑eight pages published by Shuchita Publications in 1982. He remarks that, although many similar works have appeared, this book distinguishes itself by presenting the essence of Jainism from a strictly Digambara perspective. The first part narrates the life of a Jina from birth to liberation, emphasising his human qualities and ethical teachings. A second section discusses Mahavira, last of the twenty‑four Tīrthaṅkaras, whose life spans overlap with Gautama Buddha and whose message remains relevant in contemporary times. The third section compiles twelve excerpts from Jain scriptures, each illustrating a moral principle, and the booklet closes with a devout prayer. Lalwani notes that the slogan “live and let live,” popularised as a Jaina spiritual motto since the 1970s, can be misunderstood when divorced from the tradition’s emphasis on self‑restraint and inner purification; he commends the book for clarifying these nuances and offering lay readers a reliable introduction to Jain doctrine at an affordable price. Together, the reviews highlight the importance of both scholarly and popular works in disseminating Jain culture.
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Conclusion
The review section underscores the complementary roles of academic monographs and accessible primers in preserving and spreading Jain heritage. Krishna Deva’s appraisal of “Jain Pratimā Vijñāna” celebrates a work that synthesises decades of iconographic scholarship and provides a comprehensive reference for future study, while K.C. Lalwani’s notice of “Essence of Jainism” commends a concise booklet that distils core teachings for a general audience. Both reviewers agree that such publications enrich understanding of Jain art and ethics and foster wider appreciation of the tradition.