The Lives of the Jain Elders

The Lives of the Jain Elders by the twelfth-century Jain scholar-monk, Hemacandra, is the key synthesis of source material for the early history of Jainism. Hemacandra's epic relates the pupillary succession of the early monastic Jain community, their influence, and the legendary spread of their influence, and the asceticism of the Elders, performed in the hope of liberation from a cycle of death and rebirth. Abounding in memorable characters, and providing a rich compendium of Indian folk-tale, The Lives of the Jain Elders offers fascinating insight into the social life of medieval India. This new translation makes the complete work available for the first time in a European language and substantial editorial apparatus illuminates Jain belief and history.