Verzeichnis Der Handschriften Im Deutschen Reich Part 02 - Book Summary

This document is a catalog entry from the "Verzeichnis der Handschriften im Deutschen Reich, Teil 02" by Otto Harrassowitz, specifically cataloging Jain manuscripts. The provided text details several Jain manuscripts, primarily focusing on hymns (stotras) dedicated to Jinas (Tirthamkaras) and other important figures, as well as texts related to Jain dogma, ethics, and cosmology.

Here's a breakdown of the content:

I. Hymnus (E. Hymnus)

This section covers various hymns and prayers addressed to Jain deities and holy figures. It's further categorized by:

1. Auf Personen (On Persons)
- a) Jinas (Tirthamkaras) allgemein, Namenlisten (Jinas generally, name lists): This includes general hymns to the Tirthamkaras and lists of their names.
- b) Vierundzwanzig Jinas im Titel (Twenty-four Jinas in the title): Hymns that specifically mention the 24 Tirthamkaras.
- c) Einzelne Jinas (Individual Jinas):
  - 1. Rşabha (Adinātha) (Rishabha (Adinatha)): Hymns dedicated to the first Tirthamkara.
  - 2. Einzelne Jinas von Ajita bis Sänti (Individual Jinas from Ajita to Shanti): Hymns to specific Tirthamkaras like Ajita, Sambhava, Sumati, Vimala, and Shanti.
- d) Mehrere Jinas (Several Jinas): Texts that address multiple Jinas together.
- e) Personenkreise der Legende (Circles of Persons from the Legend): This includes texts about the retinue of Tirthamkaras, such as their disciples (like Gautama), mythical figures (like Sarasvati, Padmavati, Dharanendra), and historical figures (like teachers of various lineages).
2. Auf Örtlichkeiten (On Locations): This section describes hymns dedicated to sacred Jain sites, such as:
- a) mehrere (several): Collections of hymns related to multiple holy places.
- b) einzelne (individual): Hymns focusing on specific pilgrimage sites like Shatrunjaya, Girnar, and Kalikund.
3. Auf heilige Texte (On Sacred Texts): This covers hymns and prayers related to revered Jain scriptures or concepts.
4. Grundtatsachen (Fundamental Facts): This category includes texts that explain fundamental Jain doctrines and principles. This includes:
- a) Gesamt-Darstellungen (Overall representations): Comprehensive works explaining Jain philosophy.
- b) Sammlungen von Einzelheiten (Collections of Details): Texts that delve into specific aspects of Jain teachings.
5. Seelen (Souls): Texts that discuss the nature, transmigration, and liberation of the soul (jiva) within Jainism.
6. Karman und guna-sthāna (Karma and Guna-sthana): Works that explain the Jain theory of karma (actions and their consequences) and the fourteen stages of spiritual development (guna-sthana).
7. Weltbild (Worldview/Cosmology): Texts that describe the Jain understanding of the universe, including its structure, geography, and inhabitants.
8. Kleinere Einzelheiten (Minor Details): This appears to be a miscellaneous category for texts that don't fit neatly into the other sections, likely including lists, brief explanations, or texts on specific practices.

Specific Manuscript Details:

For each entry, the catalog provides:

Manuscript Identifier: "Ms. or. fol. [number]"
Accession Number: "Akz.-Nr [number]"
Number of Folios/Pages: "[number] Bl."
Dimensions: "[dimensions] cm."
Date: "Undatiert" (Undated) or a specific date.
Script and Condition: Description of the handwriting, ink, and the condition of the manuscript (e.g., "Ältere Schrift," "mehrere Hände," "Ränder beschädigt").
Number of Lines per Page: "[number] Zeilen."
Granthas (Units of Measurement for Manuscripts): "[number] Granthas."
Title of the Work: Often indicated with an asterisk (*).
Author/Composer: If known.
Language: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Gujarati, Hindi.
Content Summary: A brief description of the work's subject matter, sometimes including its purpose, printing information, or cross-references.
Scriptural/Commentary Information: Details about the text and any accompanying commentary (Avacūri, Vṛtti, Ṭikā, Bālābodha).
Verse Counts: Number of verses or stanzas.
Starting and Ending Lines: Snippets of the text to identify the manuscript.
Cross-references: Citations to other works or scholarly articles (e.g., Weber, Peterson, Bhandarkar, Keith, Jacobi, Leumann).

Overall Purpose:

The catalog serves as a detailed inventory of Jain manuscripts held within German libraries (likely Prussia, given the mention of "Deutschen Reich"). It provides crucial information for scholars and researchers interested in the history, literature, philosophy, and practices of Jainism, offering a glimpse into the diversity and richness of the Jain textual tradition preserved in these collections. The entries are highly detailed, indicating the scholarly work involved in their compilation.