Jain Siddhant Bhavan Granthavali Part 02

This document is the second volume of the "Sri Jain Siddhant Bhavan Granthavali," a comprehensive catalog of handwritten manuscripts preserved in the Sri Devakumar Jain Oriental Library in Arrah, Bihar, India. This particular volume details 1023 manuscripts written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, and Hindi.

Key aspects of the Granthavali (Volume 2):

• Content: The catalog provides a detailed listing of manuscripts, covering a wide range of subjects within Jain literature and tradition. The manuscripts are categorized into several sections:

  • Purana, Charita, Katha (Epics, Biographies, Narratives)
  • Dharma, Darśana, Ācāra (Religion, Philosophy, Conduct)
  • Rasa, Chanda, Alankāra, KāVya (Poetry, Meter, Rhetoric, Literature)
  • Mantra, Karma Kānda (Mantras, Rituals)
  • Ayurveda (Indian Medicine)
  • Stotra (Hymns, Prayers)
  • Pūjā, Pātha, Vidhāna (Worship, Recitation, Rituals)

• Structure: Each entry typically includes information such as:

  • Serial number
  • Library accession or collection number
  • Title of the work
  • Name of the author
  • Name of the commentator (if any)
  • Material (e.g., paper, palm leaf)
  • Script and Language
  • Size of the manuscript
  • Number of folios/leaves, lines per page, letters per line
  • Condition and Age (e.g., Good, Old, Incomplete)
  • Additional particulars, including opening and closing lines, and colophons (which often contain details about the scribe, date, and place of copying).

• Historical Significance: The introduction and foreword highlight the historical importance of Jainism in Bihar and the role of the Jain Siddhant Bhavan in preserving Jain heritage. It mentions the efforts of key figures like Babu Devakumarji and his successors in establishing and expanding the library. The collection includes rare and previously unpublished works, some featuring Jain paintings.

• Methodology: The catalog is prepared using a scientific methodology, with descriptions recorded in eleven columns and classified under general subject headings. The introduction also notes the importance of colophons for scholarly research, providing insights into the transmission of knowledge, scribal practices, and the socio-cultural context of the manuscripts.

• Scope: The "Sri Jain Siddhanta Bhavan Granthavali" is planned to be published in six volumes, with each volume containing two parts. This second volume is a significant contribution to the series, making a large collection of Jain manuscripts accessible to scholars and researchers worldwide.

In essence, Volume 2 of the "Sri Jain Siddhant Bhavan Granthavali" is a vital bibliographical resource that meticulously catalogs a vast collection of Jain manuscripts, offering invaluable insights into the literary, religious, and cultural history of Jainism.