Books Received

Summary

The “Books Received” section provides concise reviews of recent works on Jainism and Indian culture. It begins with Contribution of Jainism to Indian Culture, edited by Dr. R. C. Dwivedi, which compiles papers from a seminar and argues that Jainism has enriched India’s language, literature, religion and philosophy. Jainism in Early Medieval Karnataka by Ram Bhusan Prasad Singh examines the social, cultural and religious influence of Jainism in Karnataka from the Maurya period onward, highlighting temples and monastic centres at Sravana Belgola. Sri Mallisena Suri’s Syādvāda-Mañjarī, translated by F. W. Thomas, presents a systematic account of Jain logic and metaphysics, emphasising syādvāda and anekāntavāda. The Jaina Iconography by B. C. Bhattacharya is cited as a comprehensive reference on Jain images and symbols, illustrated with detailed plates. Other books include Mahāvīr Paricaya Aur Vānī, a collection of lectures on Mahāvira’s teachings; The Jaina Theory of Perception by Pushpa Bothra, a monograph on sensory and supersensory knowledge; The Psychology of Enlightenment by Shree Chitrabhanu; and various Tamil texts like Avinayam, Kalingatthuparani, Aranerikkathaigal, Arugan Anthathi and commentaries on the Tirukkural, illustrating the richness of Tamil Jain literature. Each entry mentions the author, publisher, year, page count and price and offers brief remarks on content and significance. Together they showcase the diversity of contemporary Jain scholarship, spanning historical studies, philosophical treatises, spiritual guides and vernacular literature.