Books Received
Summary
The “Books Received” section lists recent publications in Jain studies. The first entry is *Mṛk Mati* (Hindi) by Acarya Vidyasagar, an epic poem exploring the soul’s journey from suffering to liberation. Bool Chand’s second edition of *Lord Mahavira* (Ch. V. Research Institute, Varanasi, 1987) offers a historical study of Mahavira. Rameshchandra Gupta’s *Tirthankar, Buddha aur Avatār* (Hindi, 1988) provides a comparative analysis of the concepts of Tirthankara, Buddha and Avatara. Several works by Phulchand Jain are noted, including *Jain Dharm aur Śraman Saṃgha* (tract on the Śramanic order) *Mālācāra kā Samīkṣātmaka Adhyayan* (critical study of the Digambara treatise *Mālācāra*) and *Jain Dharm kā Marm* (tract on the essence of religion). The list also features numerous titles by Sagarmal Jain: *Arhat Pārśva aur Unkī Paramparā* (tract on Tirthankara Pārśvanātha and his tradition) *Dhārmik Sahishnutā aur Jain Dharm* (treatise on religious toleration and Jainism) a study on Haribhadra in Hindi *Jain Adhyātmavād: Ādhunik Sandarbha meṃ* (tract on Jaina spiritualism in a modern context) and the edited volume *Jain Ektā kā Praśn* dealing with Jain unity. His *Lala Harjas Rai Commemoration Volume* (1987) contains a biography of Lala Harjas Rai, history of the P. V. Research Institute and research papers. Additional entries include works on the *Paryuṣaṇ* festival two versions of *Ṛgibhāsita* (a 2,400‑year‑old philosophical text) in English and Hindi a bibliography of doctoral dissertations in Jain and Buddhist studies and Muni Jinavijay’s *Gujrat ka Jain Dharm*. Other notable books are Vishvanath Pathak’s Hindi translation of Jayaballabha’s *Vajjalaggam* Jogendra Chandra Sikdar’s *Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy*, a critical analysis of matter in Indian and Jain thought and Nathmal Tantia’s *Lectures on Jainism*, five lectures covering asceticism, dhyāna (meditation), the feminine aspects of Jainism, the *Ācārāṅga Sūtra* and the doctrine of anekānta. Together, these titles illustrate the range of contemporary scholarship, spanning epic poetry, history, philosophy, practice, and pedagogy within Jain studies.
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The diverse publications listed in the “Books Received” section demonstrate a flourishing field of Jain studies. They encompass epic poetry, historical biography, comparative religion, doctrinal treatises, edited commemorative volumes, translations of classical texts, bibliographies and lecture collections. By highlighting works in both English and Hindi on subjects ranging from ritual practice to metaphysics, the list underscores ongoing efforts to preserve, study and disseminate Jain heritage and thought.