Shraman Atit Ke Zarokhe Me

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shraman Atit ke Zarokhe Me" (श्रमण अतीत के झरोखे में), authored by Shivprasad, Vijay K Jain, Sudha Jain, and Asim Mishra, and published by Parshwanath Vidyapith, Varanasi, in 1999.

The book is a collection of articles published in the journal "Shraman" over a period of 49 years, from November 1949 onwards. It serves as a repository of research and scholarly works on various aspects of Jainism, including its philosophy, literature, art, archaeology, and other related subjects.

Key aspects of the book:

• Origin and Purpose: The book was compiled to fulfill the long-standing demand from esteemed readers and research scholars of "Shraman" for an indexed collection of the articles published in the journal. The aim is to make this vast and otherwise unavailable collection accessible to a wider audience interested in Jainology.

• Editorial Vision: The compilation and editing were undertaken under the guidance of Professor Sagar Mal Jain, with Dr. Shivprasad taking the primary responsibility for editing, proofreading, and publication arrangements. Dr. Vijay Kumar Jain, Dr. Sudha Jain, and Dr. Asim Kumar Mishra also contributed significantly to the error-free preparation of the index.

• Structure: The book is organized into three main sections:

  1. Chronological List of Articles: This section lists articles published in "Shraman" year-wise, along with complete references.
  2. Author-wise List of Articles: This section categorizes articles alphabetically by author, providing their complete references.
  3. Subject-wise List of Articles: This section categorizes articles by subject matter, making it easier for readers and researchers to find relevant content.

• Content: The journal "Shraman," established in 1949, is described as one of the oldest research journals in Jain studies. Over its decades of publication, it has featured thousands of articles by renowned scholars on diverse topics within Jainism, covering its philosophical tenets, ethical principles, historical figures like Lord Mahavira and Tirthankaras, scriptures, art forms, cultural practices, and its influence on various aspects of Indian society and thought. The index includes a wide range of topics, from philosophical concepts like Syadvada and Anekantavada to practical aspects of Jain life such as dietary practices, ethical conduct, and social issues. It also delves into historical research, archaeological findings, and interpretations of Jain art and literature.

• Accessibility: The publishers express a desire to make the collected knowledge easily accessible. Readers and researchers can obtain photocopies of any article at cost price, allowing them to benefit from the scholarly insights at their convenience.

• Acknowledgments: The book acknowledges the contributions of Rajesh Computers for excellent typesetting and Divine Printers for printing.

• Acknowledgement of Errors: The editor, Dr. Shivprasad, humbly acknowledges that despite all precautions, some printing errors might have crept in due to his limited knowledge and oversight, and he seeks forgiveness from the readers for any such inaccuracies.

In essence, "Shraman Atit ke Zarokhe Me" is a vital bibliographical resource that meticulously indexes a significant collection of Jain scholarly articles, thereby preserving and disseminating valuable knowledge about Jainism for future generations of scholars and enthusiasts. The extensive list of authors and diverse topics covered in the index highlights the richness and breadth of the "Shraman" journal's contribution to Jainology.