I express my profound reverence to His Holiness Acharya Shri Mahaprajnaji, a great outstanding Jain philosopher and an epitome of spirituality. I render my reverence to Acharya Shri Mahashramanji a great spiritual saint of the day and Mahashramani Sādhvi Pramukha Shri Kanakprabhāji for bestowing the light of inspiration and blessings on every step I move ahead. I am eloquently grateful to Mukhya Niyojika Sadhvi Vishrutvibhaji for providing me timely guidance and support right from the beginning.
I also extend my deep gratitude to the Vice Chancellor of JVBI Samani Charitrapraga and my heartfelt sentiments to Hon'ble Ex-Vice Chancellor of JVBI, Dr. Samani Mangal Prajnaji, for her consistent and noble guidance during my Ph.D. I knew being a Vice-chancellor, it was quite a tough job for her to allot time for reviewing my work but she always did so and provided valuable feedback and suggestions. This book would not have been possible without her encouragement, inspiration, commitment 1 benevolent guidance and co-operation for the accomplishment' of this work.
I am deeply indebted to Prof. B.C. Lodha - a well-known scholar in Botany and Jainism for providing his valuable suggestions and inspirations and Prof Arun Mookerjee for introducing and developing my vision regarding this subject. My Special thanks to Samani Niyojika Rijupragyaji for her kind co-operation. I cannot forget Dr Samani Chaitanya Pragyaji, Dr. Samani Malli Pragyaji, Sadhvi Lakshya Prabhaji, Dr Samani Ritu Pragyaji (Sadhvi Riddhiyashaji), Samani Nutan Pragyaji, Samani Unnat Pragyaji. arid all other samanijis for providing their encouragement and assistance. My special thanks Dr Samani Ramaniya Pragyaji for her help. My sincere thanks to the Head of Department of Jainology, Prof. Damodar Shastri for his support. I am thankful to Deeparam Khoja and Mohan Choudhary for their timely help in computerizing this work and to all the members of the library. Lastly I take this opportunity to render my gratitude to all the eminent scholars, whose works have been referred by me and everyone who supported me directly or indirectly in completing this research work.