Review of Studies in Jainology, Prakrit Literature and Languages

Summary

“Studies in Jainology, Prakrit Literature and Languages” is a volume edited by the Prakrit Bharati Academy that collects fifty‑one papers by Professor B.K. Khadabadi. These papers, previously published in various journals and conference proceedings, cover a wide range of topics in Jain studies and comparative linguistics. The reviewer applauds the decision to bring the essays together, noting that scattered scholarship is often inaccessible to students and researchers. The collection is divided thematically. Several essays explore the teachings of Mahāvīra, emphasising his ethical principles of non‑violence (ahimsa), truthfulness and self‑restrainthttps://explorejainism.com/history/#:~:text=The%2024th%20and%20final%20Tirthankara%2C,independent%20of%20a%20theistic%20framework. Others discuss the doctrine of anekānta (multiplicity of viewpoints) and the role of yoga in Jain practice. Khadabadi also examines the history of Jainism in South India, including the influence of Jain monks on Kannada literature and the spread of Jain temples. A substantial portion of the volume analyses Prakrit languages and their literature. Apabhramśa poetry, the influence of Jaina authors on early Marathi and Kannada, and the linguistic features of Ardhamāgadhī are recurring themes. Essays on texts such as the Bhagavatī‑Ārādhana, Kathākosa and Gāthāsaptaśatī provide critical commentary and translation, illustrating Khadabadi’s philological rigour. The reviewer highlights papers that investigate the chronology and authorship of Jain canonical works, the interaction between Sanskrit and Prakrit vocabularies, and the cultural milieu in which these languages evolved. The collection concludes with articles on comparative linguistics, such as the relationship between Prakrit and early Indo‑Aryan dialects. The reviewer appreciates the editor’s efforts to standardise references, provide introductory notes and correct typographical errors. Footnotes contextualise each essay by explaining where and when it was first published. Although the essays span several decades, their collective publication underscores the enduring relevance of Khadabadi’s research. The reviewer argues that compiling such collections benefits scholarship by preserving important studies and making them more widely available. By covering religious history, philosophy, linguistics and textual studies, the volume reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Jainology.