Treasury Of Jain Tales

"A Treasury of Jain Tales" by Prof. V. M. Kulkarni, published by Shardaben Chimanbhai Educational Research Centre, Ahmedabad, is a compilation of over 100 diverse stories drawn from Jain canonical literature and its commentaries. This collection, volume 5 of the Shri Shwetambar Murtipujak Jain Boarding Series, aims to showcase the richness of Jain narrative literature, offering insights into various social, religious, and economic conditions of ancient India.

The stories are categorized into several sections, including:

• Legends of Famous Persons: Narratives focusing on well-known figures from Jain tradition and mythology.
• Biographical Sketches: Accounts of lives of important Jain figures, often highlighting their spiritual journeys and accomplishments.
• Tales of Wit and Wisdom: Stories that emphasize cleverness, moral lessons, and astute observations on life.
• The Twelfth Voyage of Makandi Brothers and Other Tales: A distinct section featuring adventurous narratives, including the perilous journey of the Mākandi brothers and other diverse tales of human nature, morality, and spiritual insight.

The book draws heavily from canonical Jain works, commentaries, and Purāṇas, translating them into English to make them accessible to a wider audience. It highlights key characteristics of Jain narrative literature, such as the emphasis on past and future births, the law of karma, inserted sermons with didactic details, and the use of parables.

The introduction provides a comprehensive overview of Indian narrative literature, distinguishing between various genres like kathā, ākhyāyikā, and campū, and details the classification of stories within Jain literature. It also notes the Jain approach to storytelling, which often involves reinterpreting epic themes and incorporating sermons to convey religious and ethical teachings. The editor, V. M. Kulkarni, along with his team of collaborators, has meticulously selected and translated these tales, aiming to bridge the gap between classical Jain texts and modern readers. The book is also praised for its valuable contributions to understanding Jain cultural heritage and its rich literary tradition.