A Handbook on the Three Jewels of Jainism

About:

The Yogashastra is a Sanskrit work with 12 chapters (prakasha). It occupies a very important place in the Shvetambara Jain tradition. In twelve chapters, this work sheds light on various aspects of religion and morality, promoting the timeless Jain ideals of non-violence, self-control and penance. Hemacandra emphasises ascetic practices for moral upliftment, service to one's parents, meditation for spiritual progress, recitation of the Jinas' names, and the importance of the meritorious conduct of non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy and non-possessiveness. The Yogashastra is therefore a complete text, addressing both the ascetic and the layperson, and guiding them both on the path of liberation.

Acarya Hemacandra is possibly the most high profile and certainly the most prolific Jain monk in the Shvetambara denomination of the Jain Church. He was amongst the most profound scholars of his era, a polyglot, and known as "Kalikala-Sarvajna". This work is unique as not only was the original text written by Hemacandra, but also he composed a Sanskrit commentary.

This work has been published in an aesthetically pleasing manner, in the A4 size, with a very attractive dust jacket. It has been translated into English by the renowned scholar and Indologist Prof Dr Olle Qvarnström of Sweden. His translation is based on Muni Jambuvijaya’s critical edition. The text comprises of 1009 verses divided into 12 chapters. A majority of the verses are composed in the shloka metre. However, several verses in the last two chapters are composed in the arya metre.

The book was first published by Harvard Oriental Series, Volume 60. Harvard University has kindly permitted us to publish this revised and expanded edition. We have also added the original text in Devanagari in this edition.

This edition, which is dedicated to Prof Padmanabh S Jaini of Berkeley University for his impeccable scholarship and excellent mentorship of those who pursue Jain studies, includes Sanskrit text in Devanagari + Sanskrit text in roman with diacritics + English translation.