Contemporary Relevance and Translation of Ancient Jaina Texts: A Study of Ācārya Amitgati's Subhāṣita-Ratna-Saṃdoha

Translation Studies as an academic domain systematically deals with translations as a vast arena and has been providing wider readership to literatures earlier confined within the circumference of their source language and culture; hence significantly shaping the literary canon, making it more inclusive, democratic and enriched. Unlike prominent ancient texts, which are vigorously translated and read, there is a plethora of ancient Jain religious texts that remain untouched by the benefits of translations. This paper is an attempt to bring into light a comparatively lesser-known eleventh century work, Subhāṣita-Ratna-Saṃdoha, written by Ācārya Amitgati that holds immense wealth for present readers worldwide. The paper asserts the need for English translations of this text by establishing its contemporary relevance. It sheds light on the social, psychological, religious and spiritual elements, and the universality of themes around which it revolves making the need of this text in the contemporary world evident.