Book Review: Translations of Canonical Texts from Prakrit into English

Summary

This book review surveys translations of six important Jain canonical texts from Prakrit into English by Professor K. C. Lalwani: the Dasavaikalika Sutra, Kalpa Sutra, Bhagavati Sutra (three volumes) and Uttaradhyayana Sutra. The Dasavaikalika Sutra, composed by Arya Sayyambhava around the 5th century BCE, is one of the Mula Sutras of the Svetambara canon. It was written to guide his young son through the stages of spiritual progress after initiation and has since been a source of inspiration for monks. Lalwani’s translation includes the Prakrit text, Sanskrit version and English translation, presenting a clear exposition amid conflicting commentaries. The Kalpa Sutra, attributed to Bhadrabahu Svami, is the earliest account of the lives of several Tirthankaras—particularly the 24th, 23rd, 22nd and 1st—and belongs to the Cheda Sutras dealing with monastic discipline. It is read during the monsoon retreat and holds a unique position in Jain literature. Lalwani’s translation follows the original text, critically comparing Hermann Jacobi’s English version and Basanta Kumar Chattopadhyaya’s Bengali rendition. The Bhagavati Sutra is the largest single Jain canonical text, consisting of 41 satakas with ten uddesakas each, containing religious teachings, myths and extensive information on contemporary society, polity, economy, cosmology and natural sciences. Its sheer size previously deterred translators, but Lalwani has produced a lucid English version. Eight satakas have been translated so far, published with detailed notes in three volumes of over 300 pages each. The reviewer praises Lalwani’s dedication and urges financial support to complete the remaining satakas so that this monumental work becomes a new window on Jainism. Finally, the Uttaradhyayana Sutra—known as the Last Testament of Mahavira—is another Mula Sutra consisting of 36 adhyayanas. According to tradition, Mahavira recited these verses as he lay dying, making them his final message to mankind. The text exhorts followers to renounce worldly attachments and is one of the few Jain works in verse. Lalwani’s translation retains the verse form, making it both instructive and delightful to read. Overall, the review commends Lalwani’s translations for their fidelity to the originals and their potential to broaden scholarly and popular understanding of Jain philosophy and ethics.