Jain Tattva Parichay

Author(s): Ujjwala D Shah
Publisher: Veetrag Vani Prakashak

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(vi) In the years 1993 to 1996 I had written these articles in the form of letters in Marathi. They were published every month in a magazine devoted to the study of Jainism, called 'Shravika'. Many people appreciated them and started requesting me about publishing them in a book form. Due to continued demand and pressure from the readers we ultimately decided to do so.
But it was altogether a new field for us. Both of us undertook all the necessary things like proof reading, editing, publishing etc. Within a month all the copies of first edition were sold out and due to great demand we had to print second edition and after a few months third edition. I rewrote this book in Hindi and it was published in the next year. Thereafter Gujarati edition also was published soon.
Many new people, especially the young generation, people from many other religions like, Hindus, Vaishnavas, Lingayats, even Muslims, Parsis appreciated this book and studied it. Even many learned scholars of Jain philosophy, and few monks as well praised it.
Since then people started demanding an English version of the book. But I just did not take that seriously. But due to greater demand still persisting, I approached some people for doing the translation. But most of them refused ; a few said that they won't be able to do justice to this simple, easy flowing and touching language of the original book.
But as it is rightly said in our scriptures that whenever a particular work is destined to happen the instrumental causes are ready. In Hindi it is said, " Ha are att na fafta fra il us ad I'Mr. Dineshchandra was telling his friend Mr. Madhusudan Joshi about this difficulty that the sponsorers are ready for printing of the English version of this book, but a translator is not available. He immediately said, " Why do you worry ? I will do it, provided you teach me first."
So three of us used to sit for 3 to 4 hours daily. We used to discuss the subject in details, a paragraph or two at a time, until he was convinced and he had understood the principle, then only he used to write and rewrite until I was satisfied.
In a way it was an ideal situation. Because he did not know anything about Jainism, and we used to elaborate on many common terminologies which Jains are familiar with. Mr. Joshi is highly intelligent person with perfect logical, analytical mind. He used to grasp the exact logic behind these principles. I have not come across such an able student of philosophy. It was a pleasure teaching him Jain Tattva Parichay from beginning till end.
While discussing these topics with him, we realised one thing that we have to bear in mind that this English edition may be read not only by