Laghu Trishashti Shalaka Purush Charitam

Summary of "Laghu Trishashti Shalaka Purush Charitam" by Pradyumnasuri

The "Laghu Trishashti Shalaka Purush Charitam," authored by Pradyumnasuri, is a significant Jain text published by Shrutgyan Prasarak Sabha. The provided catalog link and publication details indicate a scholarly work dedicated to preserving and disseminating Jain religious literature.

While the provided text primarily consists of publication details, acknowledgments, and a detailed preface, it clearly establishes the book's purpose and context within Jain tradition.

Key Information Extracted:

• Title: Laghu Trishashti Shalaka Purush Charitam (लघुत्रिषष्टिशलाकापुरुषचरितम्) - meaning "A Concise Biography of the Sixty-Three Illustrious Men."
• Author: Pradyumnasuri (पं. प्रद्युम्नविजयो गणिः), a disciple of Pujyacharya Shri Vijay Hemchandrasuri, who was a disciple of Pujyacharya Shri Vijaydevsurisurishwar. This lineage highlights the book's grounding in a respected line of Jain scholars and pontiffs.
• Original Author (of the larger work it's based on): उपाध्यायश्रीमेघविजयगणिरचितम् (Authored by Upadhyaya Shri Meghvijaygani). This indicates that Pradyumnasuri's work is a concise version or adaptation of a more extensive text by Meghvijaygani.
• Publisher: Shri Shrutgyan Prasarak Sabha, Ahmedabad (श्री श्रुतज्ञान प्रसारक सभा अमदावाद).
• Publication Details: Published in Veer Samvat 2519 and Vikram Samvat 2049 Kartik Shukla Panchami, indicating a recent publication in Gujarati/Sanskrit context.
• Editor: Pradyumnasuri himself is listed as the editor.
• Content: The text is a summary of the lives of the "Shalaka Purusha," the sixty-three highly revered individuals in Jainism. These include 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartis (Universal Emperors), 9 Vasudevas, 9 Baladevas, and 9 Prativāsudevas.
• Significance: The preface emphasizes that this is the first publication of this particular concise version. It is based on a unique, incomplete manuscript written in the author's (Meghvijaygani's) own hand, making the editorial and archival effort significant. The publication aims to make this important spiritual and historical narrative accessible to a wider audience, especially those who may find the larger works (like Hemchandracharya's Trisashthi Shalaka Purusha Charitra) too extensive.
• Editorial Effort: The preface details the arduous task of editing and compiling the text from a handwritten, often impure manuscript. This involved deciphering script, addressing errors, reconstructing damaged portions, and making it readable for a modern audience. The editor's dedication and the support of various institutions and individuals are acknowledged.

In essence, the "Laghu Trishashti Shalaka Purush Charitam" is a condensed version of a Jain classic that recounts the lives and deeds of the most significant spiritual and historical figures in Jainism. Its publication signifies an effort to preserve and promote these teachings and narratives, making them more accessible to contemporary readers.