The Lives of the Jain Elders is the standard synthesis of source material for the early history of Jainism by the great twelfth-century Jain scholar-monk, Hemacandra, also a key figure in the
wider context of Sanskrit literature. 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 is complemented by a full introduction illuminating Jain
belief and history.
