Jain Lekh Sangraha Part 1

Based on the provided text, here's a comprehensive summary in English:

Book Title: Jain Lekh Sangraha Part 1 Author: Puranchand Nahar

This document, specifically the introductory pages of "Jain Lekh Sangraha Part 1," outlines a project of digitizing and restoring ancient Jain manuscripts and texts. The project, titled "Aho Shrut Gyanam Granth Jiirnoddhar" (meaning "Oh, the Vastness of Scriptural Knowledge, Text Restoration"), aims to preserve invaluable Jain literature that is either rare, endangered, or out of print.

Key Aspects and Objectives:

• Preservation of Knowledge: The primary goal is to save and make accessible a vast collection of Jain texts, ensuring that the rich heritage of Jain scriptures is not lost to time.
• Digitization and Restoration: The project involves scanning and creating digital copies (DVDs) of these precious texts, effectively restoring them for future generations. This is crucial as many of these ancient texts are fragile and prone to decay.
• Accessibility: The digitized versions will be made available for download from a website, thereby ensuring wider access for scholars, researchers, and Jain community members globally.
• Inspiration and Guidance: The initiative is undertaken with the inspiration and blessings of revered Jain scholars and spiritual leaders, specifically mentioning:
  • The guidance of Pujya Acharya Shri Nararatnasurishwarji M.S.
  • The inspiration of Pujya Sadhviji Shri Jayvantashriji M.S. and other ascetics.
  • The support from the Surat Athwagate Paushadh Shala and its knowledge department.
• Extensive Collection: The provided pages, particularly pages 4-9, list a comprehensive catalog of numerous Jain texts being restored. These texts cover a wide array of subjects within Jainism, including:
  • Sutras and Commentaries: Nandi Sutra, Uttaradhyayan Sutra, and various commentaries.
  • Philosophy and Logic: Texts related to logic (Nyaya), philosophy (Syamadvada), and argumentation.
  • Architecture and Sculpture: Numerous texts on Shilpa Shastra (science of architecture and arts), Vastu Vidya, and temple construction like "Prasad Tilak," "Shilpa Ratnam," "Vastu Sara," and "Prasad Mandan."
  • Jyotisha (Astrology): Texts related to Jain astrology.
  • General Literature and History: Including historical accounts, literary works, and collections of inscriptions.
• Collaborative Effort: The project acknowledges the financial support from various individuals and institutions, with specific mention of "Shri Ashapurna Parshvanath Jain Gyanbhandar" as the coordinator.
• Historical Significance: The introduction (on page 15) emphasizes the importance of inscriptions (Lekh) as primary sources for understanding ancient Indian history, especially for the Jain community, given the scarcity of continuous historical records.
• Challenges: The author, Puranchand Nahar, acknowledges the difficulties faced in collecting and deciphering these ancient texts, including faded inscriptions and variations in script and language. He expresses humility regarding his own knowledge in Sanskrit and Jain Shastras, requesting leniency from readers for any potential errors.

In essence, "Jain Lekh Sangraha Part 1" is a significant undertaking to digitally preserve and disseminate a vast corpus of Jain knowledge, ensuring its survival and accessibility for the benefit of current and future generations. The catalog itself is a testament to the breadth and depth of Jain literature, covering diverse fields of study.