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MOKSHA MARG PRAKASHAK
(THE ILLUMlNATOR OF THE PATH OF LIBERATION)
ENGLISH VERSION OF HINDI BOOK |
Author
ACHARYAKALP Pt. TODARMALJI
JAIPUR
Translated by
Br.HEM CHAND JAIN
(D.M.E., D.T.Ed.)
Manager, Materials Management Deptt.
Thermal & Nuclear Section
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
BHOPAL
Review and Editing by
Prof. JAMNALAL JAIN
M.Com., LL.B., Sahitya Ratna
Visiting Professor
Institute of Management, Devi Ahilya University
INDORE
Publisher
SHRI KUND-KUND KAHAN TIRTHA SURAKSHA
TRUST
BOMBAY (INDIA)
Department of Publication
Shri Todarmal Smarak Bhawan
A-4 Bapu Nagar, Jaipur 302004
Published by:
Kund-Kund Kahan Tirth Suraksha Trust
BOMBAY
Price Rs. 80/-
Printed By:
Jaipur Printer Pvt. Ltd.
M.I. Road, Jaipur-1
ABOUT THIS BOOK
TRANSLATOR'S PRELUDE
In this 20th century this Moksha Marg Prakashak
has turned the eyes of thousands of people all over India and abroad
towards the right path of salvation. Whosoever curiously reads this book,
surrenders his false belief before its author Acharyakalpa Pt.Todarmalji
and accepts his treatise to be the gist of omniscient preaching and
compendium of Jain Philosophy; and feels indebted to him. I too knew the
importance of this book in 1966 AD through Pujya Shri Kanji Swami of
Songad (Saurashtra, India) and read it several times concentratedly. I am
highly indebted to both of them and pay my hearty tributes to them.
In fact, the whole of Jain Society is indebted to
Pt.Todarmalji for his unique gift of "Moksha Marg Prakashak" and "
Samyagjnan-Chandrika" because all this he wrote in the
spoken language of his time. Although he could not complete the work of
" Moksha Marg Prakashak" in which he wanted to elaborate various
other related topics. However, in his short span of life, he contributed
significantly to Jaina Philosophy and enriched Jaina literature with an
enduring stamp of authenticity. He re-established the faith in Tattvas
in their true perspective sense through logically approved facts. His
vast knowledge and philosophical ability is reflected in this book, which
in fact embraces the entire range of Jaina canon and philosophical
intricacies. It is because of this book he was conferred the title of
'Acharyakalpa' (a highly knowledgeable person like an Acharya
monk).
The prime object of this book is to point out the true
practical and scientific method of self-realization as laid down by the
Jaina Tirthankaras who rose to the highest height of perfection
with its aid. No effort has been spared by Todarmalji to make this book
as self-contained and complete in its subject. The subject- matter is
presented in a very effective manner through question-answer style, which
explains Jainism both to a lay reader and to a learned scholar.
His philosophy is not a mere encyclopedia of logically
approved facts but it is creative and synthetic too. It is this trait
which distinguishes him from mere religious leadership. His genius was so
critical and subtle that he fused an enormous amount of knowledge into a
unified whole and exerted immeasurable influence on scholars,
philosophers, and religious leaders then around him. His illustrated
teachings through question-answer style of description had a wider and
more popular appeal than any other Indian Scholar or saint. His teachings
are based upon the belief that the moral questions could not find
satisfactory answers without an integrated knowledge of seven Tattvas.
The central theme of his preaching is to realize the self-soul by giving
up false belief knowledge and conduct and this is possible through right
understanding of seven Tattvas only because there are deeper stamps
& impressions of misconceptions and distorted understandings upon our
minds about these Tattvas.
With the view to keep myself engaged in the study of
Jaina Scriptures and attain self-realization. I dared to translate this
great work of Pt. Todarmalji into English, which took about three years
(1984-86) to complete.
My sincere thanks are to my friend Prof. Shri Jamnalal
Jain (Devi Ahilya University of Indore), himself a keen student of Jain
Philosophy, for taking great pains in thoroughly checking and correcting
the translation by rearranging the sentences for maintaining true sense of
original book and giving fluency to language. I very sincerely
acknowledge and feel gratitude towards him for his whole-hearted
co-operation without which this re-edition would have not been possible.
I am also thankful to Late Shri S. Gajapathi Jain of
Tiruppanamoor (Madras) for his valuable suggestion regarding translation
of this book, when I met him personally at his residence in May 1986. I
also thank my friend Shri N. C. Mavani (M. Tech), Sion, Bombay for
providing Photostat copies of my English manuscript for getting the
translation checked. My thanks are also due to my friends Dr. Pt. U. C.
Jain, M.A. , Ph.D, Seoni, Dr. Pt. D.K Jain, M.A., Ph.D (Professor Govt.
College Neemuch) Pt. Rajmal Jain, Bhopal, Shri Suresh Jain, IAS, Bhopal,
Shri V.C. Shripalan, Madras, for giving useful suggestions in this
venture.
Although I have tried my level best not to deviate
from the original text and enough care has been taken to maintain the true
meaning and sense, however to convey accurately the original sense by
translation in English language is not easy, especially of longer
sentences written by Panditji. I therefore, request the learned readers to
forgive me for the errors still left and which may be entirely due to my
own limitation and negligence. Readers are gratefully requested to send
their valuable suggestions, which may be utilized in the next edition.
Ignoring my errors in translation even if a single soul is inspired by
this book to seek the truth in right direction, I shall consider my
efforts amply rewarded.
In the end I take this opportunity to express my
sincere thanks to Shri Kund-Kund Kahan Tirtha Suraksha Trust Bombay,
particularly Br. Shri Dhanya Kumarji Belckar, Devlali and Shri Vasant Bhai
Doshi Bombay, for their decision to publish this book in English and for
keeping the price below actual cost. My thanks are also due to Shri
Nemichandji Patni, and Dr. Hukamchandji Bharilla both of Todarmal Smarak
Trust Jaipur, for their keen interest and whole-hearted cooperation in
the early publication of this book and to Shri Sohan Lalji Jain, Jaipur
Printers, Jaipur; Shri Rajmal Jain, Jaipur (Susheel Printers, Jaipur).
OM NAMO ARHANTANAM
An humble disciple of Shri Kund-Kund Acharya & Pt.
Todarmalji
(HEMCHAD JAIN "HEM")
Manager (MM) Thermal & Nuclear
MaterialsManagement
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
BHOPAL462022 (India)
Bhopal, India
15 May, 1992
