Mahābandha (Vols I and II) – Book Review
By Satya Ranjan Banerjee
Summary
The review of *Mahābandha* (Vols I and II) focuses on the reprint of this important Digambara canonical text by the Bhāratīya Jñānapīṭha (1998). Volume one, translated into Hindi by Pt. Sumeruchandra Diwakar, and volume two, edited by Pt. Phoolchandra Siddhāntaśāstrī, are praised for their superior paper quality and binding, which surpass earlier editions. The reviewer recounts the publication history: the *Mahābandha* first appeared in 1947 as part of the Moortidevi Jain Granthamālā series and was later reprinted in 1966, 1974 and 1998 with a preface by Dr. Devendra Kumar Śāstrī. The recent reprint includes summaries of contents and two extensive introductions discussing concepts such as Karma‑Mīmāṃsā. The reviewer thanks the Bhāratīya Jñānapīṭha for making this Digambara text accessible and expresses hope that remaining volumes of the canon will be published soon.
Conclusion
By reprinting the *Mahābandha*, the Bhāratīya Jñānapīṭha has preserved a key Digambara scripture for modern readers. Enhanced production values and scholarly introductions make this edition superior to earlier ones. The reviewer encourages publication of the remaining volumes so that the entire canon can be studied in depth.