Acharya Hasti Mala
All authors of Jain history from the time of Ācārya Prabhācandra, author of 'Prabhāvaka Caritra' till the present time have all said that the history of Jainism after the existence of Devardhigaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa is its dark period.
When we started writing this third volume of 'Jain Dharma kā Maulika Itihāsa', due to paucity of available sequential historical data and literature in the beginning; we thought that we would include and complete the history of Jainism in this volume of 1000 years also, i.e. from the time of Devardhigaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa till V.N. 2000, as we have earlier included the history of Jainism for one thousand years in volume for the period starting with Ārya Sudharmā till Devardhigaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa in V.N.1000.
After availability and starting research of vast historical data from the libraries in south, primarily Madras, Dhārawāda, Mūḍabidrī and Mysore, we could not even include history of even 500 years after Devardhigaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa in the current 'Jain Dharma kā Maulika Itihāsa-volume III'. Due to this reason, we had to curtail our earlier decision of writing Jain history up to Lokāsāha in this volume our writing in this volume to its present state. We shall attempt to write the history from V.N.1475 2000 in the next volume of this textual series.
The main objective of writing this series was to bring to light the fundamental doctrine of Jainism as per scriptures. Bringing forth this main objective, we have exercised great care in use of language in these three volumes of series such that any word used in these does not offend or criticise or hurt the feelings of any follower, ācārya or sect of Jainism.
Still if, in our attempt to bring forth the true doctrine of Jainism, and use of some words or mention had been made which has hurt or caused pain to any Jain, then we seek forgiveness for the same from the core of our heart and keeping the Jina as evidence for the same.
We hope that the inquisitive scholars, lovers of history reading, will not go into the structure of words and sentences and become the acquisitionist of virtues and the doctrine and maintain an unbiased view while criticising its contents. They will never forget the worthy conduct and gentle behaviour.
'Sujṅesu kiṃbahunā'
