Life with most people is a limited territory in which they fulfill a routine till they go out. They are used to live within this limit and have neither the will nor the capacity to break through its bounds. Completely surrendered to environment and nurtured by it, they have neither the urge nor the ambition to go beyond it and get established in their own authority, so that when at last time comes for them to leave their earthly abode, they do so without virtually leaving any mark behind. They are mere tools rather than artisans, mere slaves rather than masters. It is a remote chance, a rare. Possibility, that an event somewhat worthwhile ever takes place in a life like this, which, therefore, remains dull, flat and pedestrian to the core. And in the absence of events, this sort of Iife does not produce any history. It is just history less, which is the same thing as saying that the life story of most men terminates with them.
In contrast, there may be a few others, almost in every age and in every country, who break through the limits of life to attain a wider expanse. They live more for others than for themselves. They are the real harbingers of progress. The experience of such men contributes to improve the quality of human life, and since there is a succession of such men from age to age, the progress upward of humanity has remained unabated. Such men are the real creators of history, and it is knowledge of this history that serves as a guide to understanding the progress of human society.
Events in the life of such creative men, floating down the current of time, become, at a gap of years and centuries, a sort of tradition, a heritage, a treasure for the community.
It is really a very happy news that an English version of Jaina Kahaniyan' by Upadhyaya Muni Mahendra Kumarji 'Pratham' is being brought out. The only reason why the Jaina religion and culture and Bhagawan Mahavira have not received as much attention as they deserve is that they have not been presented to the world through the medium of a universally understood language like English. It is very heartening to learn that some prestigious publishers such as M/s Motilal Banarsidass have been taking interest for the last few decades in this direction also.
Literature in the form of stories is not by itself regarded as Philosophy, Culture and History. But as a matter of fact, stories alone have the power to make these subjects easily intelligible to the common people. Such a power is rare in any other form of literature.
We should be grateful to the persons and institutions engaged in this sacred undertaking, and Muni Manmalji who has inspired them all with his insightful suggestions deserves special mention and compliments.
I wish good luck and success to all persons and institutions engaged in this virtuous and benevolent work.
**Contents and Sample Pages**
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