Plate – Muni Sri Nagraji receiving the Murti Devi Literary Award
By Unexhibited
Summary
In the pictorial section of this issue the Jain Journal reproduces a photograph showing Muni Sri Nagraji receiving the prestigious Murti Devi Literary Award. The Murti Devi Prize, administered by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, is awarded annually for outstanding scholarly contributions in Indian languages. The caption notes that Nagraji was honoured for his monumental three‑volume work Āgama Tripiṭaka and that the award ceremony took place in New Delhi on 6 December 1991. In the image, Nagraji stands on a stage with dignitaries; a banner behind him bears the name of the award and the organisation. The caption identifies Shri Murlidhar Parasar, Jnanpith president, presenting the award and mentions other guests. Nagraji’s Āgama Tripiṭaka is a critical compilation and translation of Jain canonical texts accompanied by explanatory notes; the work aims to make the teachings of Mahāvīra and subsequent Tīrthaṅkaras accessible to modern readers. The Murti Devi Award recognises its contribution to preserving and disseminating Jain philosophy and ethics. By including this plate, Jain Journal celebrates the recognition of a Jain monk within India’s broader literary community and highlights the vitality of Jain scholarship in contemporary times. The photograph captures the intersection of religious asceticism and literary accomplishment: Nagraji stands in simple monastic robes while receiving a modern literary prize, illustrating how Jain monks continue to engage with broader intellectual currents. The plate also serves as a historical record of early 1990s efforts to honour vernacular scholarship and underscores the role of institutions like the Bharatiya Jnanpith in promoting classical and modern Indian languages. For readers of the Jain Journal, the image is a reminder that Jainism remains a living tradition in which scriptural study, translation and dissemination are still honoured and that monks can be recognised alongside lay scholars for their contributions to Indian letters.
Conclusion
The Murti Devi award plate underscores how Jain scholarship continues to thrive beyond purely religious circles. By highlighting Muni Sri Nagraji’s Āgama Tripiṭaka and his recognition by the Bharatiya Jnanpith, the Jain Journal emphasises that meticulous study and translation of Jain scriptures can resonate with wider audiences. The photograph also illustrates a broader trend of acknowledging vernacular scholarship and serves as an inspiration to scholars and monks working to preserve and reinterpret the Jain heritage.