Books Received
By Unexhibited
Summary
The “Books Received” section functions as a bibliographical bulletin, listing recent publications in Jaina studies and briefly describing their contents. Each entry provides the author’s name, title, language, publisher, year, page count and price, along with a succinct annotation. One of the notable works is *Jain Social Group Paricaya Pustika 1972* (in Gujarati) compiled by Kantilal Lakshmichand Bora and published by the Jain Social Group in Bombay; it offers detailed information and photographs of group members. Another listed title is *Bhagavān Mahāvīr* by Gokul Chandra Jain (in Hindi), a Hind Pocket Books edition presenting the life and thoughts of Lord Mahavira in simple prose. Several books focus on doctrinal and devotional subjects: *Vitarāg Vijñān* Part II, produced by the Sri Digambar Jain Svadhyay Mandir Trust, is a Hindi commentary on discourses given by Kanjisvami and encourages readers to adopt the path of liberation by renouncing attachment. Nemi Chand Jain’s *Vaisālī-ke Rājkumār Tīrthankar Vardhamān Mahāvīr* (in Hindi) from Sri Vir Nirvan Granth Prakashan Samiti provides a lucid biographical narrative of Mahavira. Muni Vidyanand’s *Ahimsā Visva Dharam* expounds the principle of non-violence, emphasising its universal relevance. Bhanwarlal Nahata’s *Sri Jindattsūrī Sevā-sangh Caturth Akhil Bhāratiya Adhivesan Smarika* commemorates an inauguration ceremony and includes topical articles with illustrations. The list also features scholarship on Jaina ritual and culture, collections of essays and reports from religious gatherings. Although most titles are in Hindi or Gujarati, they cover a variety of genres—biography, doctrinal exegesis, commemorative volume and socio-historical compendium—demonstrating the breadth of Jaina publishing. By presenting these works, the journal informs its readers about new resources available for study and encourages the exploration of Jaina traditions through multiple linguistic and narrative forms. The annotations reveal a vibrant literary scene where community organisations and scholarly presses collaborate to document history, disseminate ethical teachings and celebrate cultural heritage.
Conclusion
This bibliographic roundup underscores the diversity of contemporary Jaina publications. Spanning biographies, doctrinal treatises and commemorative volumes, the listed books reflect ongoing efforts by scholars and community organisations to preserve and promote Jaina history and values. By providing concise descriptions, the section guides readers toward resources suited to their interests and encourages engagement with both classical and modern Jaina literature.