Operation In Search Of Sanskrit Manuscripts In Mumbai Circle 1

This document is a catalog or index of Jain manuscripts that were part of a project titled "Operation In Search of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Mumbai Circle 1," compiled by P. Peterson and published by the Royal Asiatic Society. The catalog appears to have been digitized and made available by Jain Education International.

The provided text is primarily a list of numerous Sanskrit and Prakrit manuscripts, categorized by subject matter and author. It seems to be a record of books that have undergone a "Jirnoddhar" (restoration or re-publication) process, with a focus on Jain literature and related subjects.

Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

• Project Title: "Operation In Search of Sanskrit Manuscripts in Mumbai Circle 1"
• Author of the Original Report: Professor Peter Peterson
• Publisher of the Original Report: Royal Asiatic Society
• Digitization/Distribution: Jain Education International (for private and personal use only).
• Content: A detailed list of hundreds of manuscripts, often including:
  • Serial Number: A sequential number for each manuscript.
  • Book Name: The title of the manuscript in Sanskrit or Prakrit.
  • Author/Commentator/Editor: The name of the person(s) responsible for the original work or its edition.
  • Language: Indicated by abbreviations like Sanskrit (सं.), Hindi (हि.), Gujarati (गु.).
  • Page Count: The number of pages for each manuscript.
  • Set Number/Catalog Link: Information related to the organization of the catalog.
  • Sanskrit/Jain Scholars: The list features works by many prominent Jain scholars and commentators like Hemachandra, Siddhasena Divakara, Bhadrabahu, Haribhadra Suri, Mallisena Suri, and others, as well as non-Jain classical authors like Kalidasa, Bana, and Varahamihira.
  • Subject Matter: The manuscripts cover a wide range of topics, including Jain scriptures, philosophy (Siddhanta), grammar, logic (Nyaya), poetry (Kavya), metrics, architecture (Shilpa Shastra, Vastu Vidya), medicine (Ayurveda), and various historical and narrative works.
• Sponsor/Organizer: The project seems to be supported or organized by the "Shri Ashapooran Parshwanath Jain Gyan Bhandar" in Ahmedabad, with Shah Babulal Sarumal Bedawala and Shah Vimalaben Sarumal Javerchandji Bedawala Bhavan mentioned as coordinators.
• Purpose of Jirnoddhar: The introductory text explains that many ancient manuscripts were becoming rare and endangered due to time. The restoration and re-publication (Jirnoddhar) aim to preserve this valuable literary heritage for future generations and make these important works accessible to researchers and students.
• Peterson's Report: The later pages of the document contain excerpts that appear to be from Peter Peterson's original detailed report from August 1882 to March 1883. These excerpts discuss his operations in searching for Sanskrit manuscripts in the Bombay Circle, highlighting specific discoveries, analyses of authors and texts, and his experiences visiting various libraries and institutions (e.g., Jeypore, Ajmir, Pushkar, Chittore, Oodeypore, Cambay). He details his encounters with manuscript collections, the condition of manuscripts, and provides critical insights into the authorship and dating of many Sanskrit works.

In essence, the document is a comprehensive catalog of Jain and Sanskrit manuscripts, primarily aimed at preserving and disseminating important religious and classical Indian literature, based on the findings of Peter Peterson's early 20th-century survey.