Books Received
By Unexhibited
Summary
The ‘Books Received’ column briefly introduces four publications. The first, *Jain Sāhitya‑me Kṛṣṇa* (Krishna in Jain Literature), is a study of how Jain authors depict the Hindu hero Kṛṣṇa. The book traces the evolution of Krishna’s image in Jain literature and argues that Jain writers portray him not as an incarnation of Viṣṇu but as a great human (śalākā puruṣa) who exemplifies virtues such as non‑violence, humility and forgivenesshttps://jaingpt.org/knowledge/hindi_jain_sahitya_me_krishna_ka_swarup_vikas_002435_002435#:~:text=This%20book%2C%20,PhD%20dissertation%20by%20Gujarat%20University. The study compares Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsha and Hindi Jain texts and shows that Jain authors highlight Krishna’s ethical qualities and his relationship with the Tirthankara Nemināthahttps://jaingpt.org/knowledge/hindi_jain_sahitya_me_krishna_ka_swarup_vikas_002435_002435. The second book, *Mūlācāra with Ācāravṛtti*, is a critical edition of the Digambara manual *Mūlācāra* by Vattakera accompanied by Vasunandin’s Sanskrit commentary *Ācāravṛtti*. This monastic code details the conduct and discipline of Jain monks and explains how passions such as anger, pride, deceit and greed lead to bondage while their absence leads to liberation. A modern translation notes that the author recalls the suffering of creatures to persuade readers to follow the path of non‑violence and self‑restrainthttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Shravakachar_of_Vasunandini_Romanized/007737#:~:text=in%20Vasunandin%27s%20manual%20is%20in,doctrine%20seems%20to%20be%20the. The third publication, *Gomatesvara Sahasrābdi Mahotsava Darśana*, commemorates the thousandth anniversary of the colossal Gommateśvara (Bāhubalī) statue at Śravaṇa Beḷagoḷa in Karnataka. It contains essays on the history of the statue, photographs of the anointing (mahā-mastakābhiṣeka) festival, and reflections on Bāhubalī’s exemplary renunciation. The final item, *Guide to Indian Periodical Literature*, is a bibliographic index designed to help researchers navigate articles and essays published in Indian academic journals. It includes subject and author indexes and is invaluable for scholars of Jainology seeking sources across disciplines. Collectively, the column shows the diversity of recent publications – from literary analysis and monastic ethics to commemorative and reference works.
Conclusion
The ‘Books Received’ list highlights the breadth of contemporary Jain scholarship. Studies like *Jain Sāhitya‑me Kṛṣṇa* demonstrate how Jain authors reinterpret popular figures such as Krishna to emphasise non‑violence and other virtueshttps://jaingpt.org/knowledge/hindi_jain_sahitya_me_krishna_ka_swarup_vikas_002435_002435#:~:text=This%20book%2C%20,PhD%20dissertation%20by%20Gujarat%20University. Editions of monastic texts like the *Mūlācāra* remind readers that ethical discipline and self‑restraint are central to Jain practicehttps://jainqq.org/booktext/Shravakachar_of_Vasunandini_Romanized/007737#:~:text=in%20Vasunandin%27s%20manual%20is%20in,doctrine%20seems%20to%20be%20the, while commemorative works and bibliographic guides broaden cultural understanding. These publications collectively enrich the resources available to scholars and lay readers.