Bibliography Of Literature About Shrimad Rajchandra

This document is the Bibliography of Literature in English About Shrimad Rajchandra, compiled and published by Prakash Mody. It serves as a comprehensive catalog of English-language works related to Shrimad Rajchandra, a prominent Jain spiritual figure and mentor to Mahatma Gandhi.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects of the bibliography:

Purpose and Scope:

• To catalog English literature: The primary goal is to list all published and some unpublished works, articles, and other materials in English that discuss or are by Shrimad Rajchandra.
• To promote Shrimadji's teachings: The compiler hopes this bibliography will make Shrimadji's teachings more accessible to a wider, English-speaking audience and encourage their inclusion in academic curricula.
• To identify gaps and areas for development: The "Observations" section offers constructive criticism and suggestions for future publications, addressing aspects like title clarity, publisher diversity, copyright, and content presentation.

Content and Structure: The bibliography is meticulously organized and includes the following sections:

• Dedication: Honors Shrimad Rajchandra and Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri.
• Shrimadji's Immortal Words: Features inspirational quotes from Shrimad Rajchandra.
• Preface (2nd & 1st Editions): Explains the motivation behind the compilation, the updates made in the second edition, and the importance of Shrimadji's work.
• Observations: Provides detailed personal comments and suggestions for writers and publishers to improve the quality and reach of literature about Shrimadji. This includes feedback on titles, publishers, editions, copyright, pricing, content, language, transliteration, suggestions for new books, audio-visual aids, indexes, sources, religious handling of books, disposal, calendars/diaries, names/spellings, years/dates, celebration dates, cross-checking information, and the need for a style guide for Jainism.
• A Brief Biography of Shrimadji: A chronological outline of Shrimad Rajchandra's life, highlighting key events and spiritual milestones.
• Literature by Shrimad Rajchandraji: A list of Shrimadji's original writings in Gujarati, noting which have been translated into English.
• Param Krupaludev's Literature: Categorizes Shrimadji's literary output into Treatises, Poetic Compositions, Translations and Commentaries, Articles, Aphorisms, Personal Notes, Letters, and Preachings Transcribed by Devotees. It also highlights the significant influence Shrimadji had on Mahatma Gandhi.
• Format of Bibliographical Entries: Defines the standardized format used for listing each publication, including details like book name, author, publisher, edition, year, copyright, ISBN, size, pages, price, contents, and a brief review.
• Bibliographical Entries of Published Literature in English: The core of the bibliography, listing numerous books with detailed information as per the defined format. This section is extensive and covers a wide range of works.
• Unpublished Literature in English: Lists manuscripts that are known but not yet published.
• Literature in English Available Online: Provides a list of websites where Shrimadji's works can be accessed online.
• Publishers of Books: A directory of organizations and individuals that publish literature related to Shrimad Rajchandra, with contact information and associated book numbers.
• Index of Authors: An alphabetical listing of authors with the corresponding book numbers they contributed to.
• Index of Books: An alphabetical list of books with their corresponding book numbers, facilitating easy look-up.

Key Themes and Contributions:

• Shrimad Rajchandra's Spirituality: The bibliography underscores Shrimadji's profound spiritual insights, particularly his emphasis on the soul, self-realization, detachment, and the importance of a Guru.
• Influence on Mahatma Gandhi: It clearly documents the significant spiritual mentorship Shrimad Rajchandra provided to Mahatma Gandhi, influencing his philosophy and actions.
• Accessibility of Knowledge: The compilation aims to make Shrimadji's teachings accessible to a global audience through English translations and publications.
• Quality and Standardization: The "Observations" section highlights the need for higher standards in publication quality, clarity, and consistency in the presentation of Jain religious literature.

In essence, Prakash Mody's Bibliography of Literature in English About Shrimad Rajchandra is a vital resource for researchers, students, and anyone interested in the life and teachings of Shrimad Rajchandra. It is a testament to the compiler's dedication to organizing and disseminating spiritual knowledge across linguistic boundaries.