Bhaktamara Kalyanmandir Namiun Stotratrayam

This Jain text, titled "Bhaktamara Kalyanmandir Namiun Stotratrayam," compiled by Hiralal R Kapadia and published by the Devchand Lalbhai Pustakoddhar Fund, is a significant collection of three important Jain hymns: the Bhaktamara Stotra, the Kalyanamandira Stotra, and the Namiyuna Stotra. The book, designated as Series No. 79 of the Sheth Devchand Lalbhai Jain Pustakoddhar Fund, was first published in Vikram Samvat 1988 (2458 Veer Samvat, 1932 AD) with an initial print run of 1250 copies.

The volume is a comprehensive scholarly work, featuring the original Sanskrit and Prakrit texts of these revered hymns, along with extensive commentaries and scholarly analysis. It is enriched with:

• The Bhaktamara Stotra: Attributed to Sri Manatunga Suri, this hymn is presented with commentaries by Sri Gunakara Suri, Sri Meghavijaya Ganikrit, and Sri Kanakakushala Gani.
• The Kalyanamandira Stotra: Authored by Acharya Sri Siddhsen Divakara, this stotra is accompanied by commentaries from Sri Kanakakushala Gani and a vritti (commentary) by Munivarya Sri Manikya Chandra.
• The Namiyuna Stotra: Also attributed to Sri Manatunga Suri, this hymn is presented with a Churni (commentary) by ancient Acharyas.

Beyond the primary texts and commentaries, the book includes several valuable supplementary sections:

• Foreword by Prof. Hermann Jacobi: A renowned Indologist, Prof. Jacobi's foreword, written in English, offers scholarly insights into Jaina hymnology, the authors, the historical context of the stotras, and their literary merits. He discusses the interrelationship between the Bhaktamara and Kalyanamandira stotras, the meter employed, and the challenges in establishing the precise historical timelines of the authors like Manatunga.
• Introductions and Forewords in Sanskrit and Gujarati: The publication includes detailed introductory and foreword sections in Sanskrit and Gujarati, providing context and elaborating on the significance of the hymns and the editorial work.
• Appendices and Indices: The text is further enhanced by various appendices, including Prakrit hymns, Sanskrit hymns (like the Shakrastava), introductions to the authors, and detailed indices of verses, Sanskrit terms, and a comprehensive glossary.
• Illustrations: The book features illustrations relevant to the Kalyanamandira Stotra, sourced from the 'Gulabkumari' Library in Calcutta, thanks to Sri Puran Chand Nahar.
• Extensive Editorial Work: The compilation and editing of this monumental work were undertaken by Prof. Hiralal Rasikdas Kapadia, M.A., who was also a lecturer at the Bhandarkar O.R. Institute, Poona, and formerly held academic positions in Bombay. His expertise is evident in the detailed analysis, critical review of texts, and the inclusion of appendices that facilitate a deeper understanding of the stotras.
• Biographical Sketch: A touching tribute is paid to Sheth Venichand Surchand, the founder and first director of the Shri Agamodaya Samiti, whose life story and immense contributions to Jain literature and education are detailed.

The publication aims to make these invaluable Jaina devotional works accessible to a wider audience, enriched by extensive scholarly apparatus. The editorial effort highlights the collaborative nature of such endeavors, acknowledging the contributions of various individuals and institutions in preserving and promoting Jain heritage. The book serves as a testament to the devotional and literary richness of Jainism, specifically focusing on the esteemed stotras attributed to Manatunga Suri and Siddhsen Divakara.