Hastpratbhandaro Vartaman Sthiti Ane Have Pachinu Karya

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Hastpratbhandaro Vartaman Sthiti ane Have Pachinu Karya" by Kanubhai V Sheth, in English:

This article, "Hastpratbhandaro Vartaman Sthiti ane Have Pachinu Karya" (Manuscript Repositories: Current Status and Future Work), by Kanubhai V Sheth, discusses the importance of manuscript repositories in modern society, drawing a parallel to libraries. It highlights that while all three major Indian religious traditions (Vedic, Buddhist, and Jain) had such repositories, the Jain tradition's organized system has led to their better preservation.

The author focuses on the current situation of Jain manuscript repositories, particularly in Gujarat. These repositories are broadly categorized into three types:

1. Personal repositories: Those belonging to individual Jain monks or scholars.
2. Community-owned repositories (Sanghik Malikina): These are collectively managed by Jain communities, trusts, temples, or institutions. The article notes that a significant number of Jain manuscript repositories fall into this category, contributing to their survival.
3. Repositories linked to research or academic institutions: These have emerged more recently and often contain remnants from older repositories.

The article then lists several prominent repositories associated with institutions in Gujarat and beyond, including:

• L.D. Institute of Indology (Gujarat University), Ahmedabad (75,000 manuscripts)
• Bh. J. Research Institute, Ahmedabad (10,000 manuscripts)
• Oriental Institute, M.S. University, Vadodara (27,000 manuscripts)
• Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad (437 manuscripts)
• Forbes Gujarati Sabha, Mumbai (1,800 manuscripts)
• Indological Research Institute (Sharda Peeth), Dwarka (approx. 3,000 manuscripts)

It details the general organizational methods found in these repositories:

• Manuscripts are often kept in paper covers or bound with cloth.
• They are stored in wooden boxes or cabinets.
• Manuscripts are usually numbered and arranged accordingly.
• Catalog cards are prepared and organized alphabetically.
• Registers are maintained based on these catalog cards.
• Some repositories have published catalogues, and some even descriptive catalogues.
• There are specific office hours for viewing or obtaining manuscripts, and contact with the head or trustee allows access to manuscripts or their photocopies.

The author emphasizes the need for a collective descriptive catalogue of all these repositories to provide comprehensive information to students, scholars, and researchers.

The article then proceeds to list numerous community-owned repositories (Sanghik Bhandars) across various cities in Gujarat, including:

• Ahmedabad: Thirteen repositories are listed, with estimated manuscript counts ranging from 3,000 to 20,000.
• Patan: Five repositories are mentioned, with significant collections like the Hemchandracharya Jain Gyan Mandir (19,770 paper manuscripts + 413 palm-leaf manuscripts).
• Vadodara: Three repositories are listed.
• Chhani (near Vadodara): Two repositories.
• Dabhoi: Three repositories.
• Surat: Eight repositories.
• Khambhat: Four repositories, including one with palm-leaf manuscripts.
• Idar: Three repositories.
• Kapadvanj: Five repositories.
• Jamnagar: Three repositories.
• Limbdi: Three repositories.
• Bhavnagar: Two repositories.
• Palitana: Seven repositories.
• Viramgam: Two repositories.
• Other Villages: Mention is made of repositories in Utkanth, Mandal, Chanasma, and Surendranagar, among others.

The article also notes the potential existence of repositories in other locations (e.g., Zinzuvada, Unjha, Kutch region) where further investigation is ongoing.

Regarding the current condition of these community-owned repositories, the author observes:

• Some, like the Dahela repository, have catalogued manuscripts, organized them by size, and stored them in boxes and cabinets.
• Others lack proper boxes, with manuscripts stored directly in cabinets.
• Numbering of manuscripts is common, but inconsistencies exist in some.
• Systematic cataloguing is lacking in most repositories, except for a few.
• Manuscripts are sometimes tied with thread or separated by paper strips with basic information.
• Protection measures for manuscripts are often insufficient; some repositories use natural repellents like 'ghodavaj' (a plant) or black cumin seeds.
• Many repositories lack proper caretakers, leading to disorganization and loss of manuscripts.
• Arrangements for borrowing or photocopying manuscripts are not widespread.

To address these issues, the author proposes the establishment of a "Central Manuscript Repository Management and Security Committee." This committee would:

1. Compile a comprehensive list of all manuscript repositories in Gujarat with their addresses.
2. Conduct on-site inspections to assess the current condition of each repository.
3. Develop plans in collaboration with trustees and managers to organize the repositories.
4. Engage local workers and experts for implementation.

The committee would then focus on the following second phase of actions for each repository:

• Verification and reconciliation of manuscripts against existing lists, and efforts to recover missing ones.
• Counting and documenting the pages of each manuscript, noting any missing, extra, torn, or illustrated pages.
• Re-wrapping manuscripts with acid-free, handmade paper for long-term preservation.
• Organizing manuscripts by size and binding them into fascicles, assigning sequential numbers to these fascicles.
• Assigning a new sequential number to each individual manuscript.
• Preparing detailed cataloguing cards following a standardized format.
• Entering the cataloguing card information into a register and submitting a copy to the central committee.
• Arranging the cataloguing cards alphabetically in a card cabinet.
• Storing fascicles in wooden boxes, which are then placed in steel or wooden cabinets, with numbered boxes.
• Creating a consolidated list of all manuscripts from the data collected, organized alphabetically by computer.
• Publishing this consolidated list for accessibility to researchers.

Additionally, the author suggests the following ongoing arrangements for each repository:

• Implementing pest control measures (e.g., using 'ghodavaj' or black cumin seeds in cabinets).
• Appointing a part-time caretaker for regular cleaning and maintenance of manuscripts.
• Ensuring that the repository offices are open for a few hours daily (morning and possibly evening) to allow access for viewing or obtaining photocopies, with the central committee facilitating this where needed.

The article concludes by emphasizing the urgent need for these measures to:

• Preserve the invaluable literary, cultural, and historical heritage contained in these manuscripts, preventing their destruction.
• Provide essential resources for scholars and researchers wishing to edit and publish ancient and medieval unpublished manuscripts, thereby accelerating such research.

Finally, the author highlights the financial requirements for these efforts and suggests seeking funding from the central and state governments, UGC, Jain organizations, trusts, and even collaborating with institutions like Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya and seeking the support of Jain monks for fundraising.