Book Review: Vardhaman–Jivan-Kosa

Summary

Dr. Satya Ranjan Banerjee’s review of the third volume of “Vardhaman‑Jivan‑Kosa,” a cyclopaedia on the life and teachings of Lord Mahāvīra, highlights its encyclopaedic scope and methodological rigour. The volume, compiled by Mohanlal Banthia and Srichand Choraria of the Jain Darshan Samiti, continues a project begun with two earlier volumes published in 1980 and 1984. Each volume organises information about Mahāvīra into clearly numbered sections and sub‑sections for ease of reference. The reviewer notes that the structure is reminiscent of a modern encyclopaedia, with up to ninety‑nine primary sections further subdivided by decimal points so that readers can quickly locate topicshttps://jainqq.org/explore/016030/778. The methodology adopted in all volumes is described as unique and systematic. Each entry is based on extensive research and cross‑checked against more than one hundred source books, with quotations provided in their original languages along with Hindi translationshttps://jainqq.org/explore/016030/778#:~:text=the%20subjeet%20matter%20connected%20with,shows%20the%20critical%20outlook%20and. This approach not only authenticates the facts of Mahāvīra’s life and teachings but also allows readers to trace the sources for further study. The reviewer emphasises that the cyclopaedia draws from Śvetāmbara and Digambara sources without favouring either tradition, thereby offering a balanced presentation of Jain heritage. The high production quality and careful binding are praised, and the reviewer believes the volume supersedes the previous ones in accuracy and usabilityhttps://jainqq.org/explore/016030/778#:~:text=material%20collected%20in%20all%20these,divided%20into%20several%20sections%20as. Beyond its scholarly apparatus, the cyclopaedia serves as a practical tool for students and researchers. The detailed table of contents guides readers through subjects such as Mahāvīra’s biography, philosophical doctrines, ethical teachings, and historical context. Because each fact is documented and translated, the work functions as both reference and teaching material. Banerjee applauds the editors’ painstaking labour and suggests that there is scope for two or more future volumes given the richness of the materialhttps://jainqq.org/explore/016030/778#:~:text=deep%20scholarship%20of%20the%20editors,Jain%20Education%20International%20For. He concludes that the volume is an indispensable resource that should find a place in the library of every serious scholar of Jainism. The review thus positions “Vardhaman‑Jivan‑Kosa” not merely as a compilation of information but as a scholarly monument that preserves and disseminates the life and message of Mahāvīra for contemporary audiences.