Vidyadhar Johrapurkar

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Vidyadhar Pasusa Johrapurkar, also spelled as Vidyadhar Pasusa Joharapurkar (born 1935), is a Sanskritist, social anthropologist, and historian who specializes in Jainism and Jain philosophy.

Contents

Early life and education

Born in Nagpur, Johrapurkar completed his M.A. in 1956 and Ph.D. in 1959 from Nagpur University.

Johrapurkar's early love for reading was inspired by his grandfather Nemasav's personal library. As a young man, he joined the Jain Svayamsevak Sangh, which sparked his interest in social service. His close friend Shantikumar Killedar encouraged his study of Indian history and social anthropology.

Career

He worked as a Professor of Sanskrit in the Department of Education under the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Throughout his career, he taught Sanskrit at various government colleges, including those in Nagpur, Jabalpur, Jaora, Mandala, and Bhopal. He eventually retired as Professor and Head of the Department of Sanskrit at Government College, Keolari, District Seoni, Madhya Pradesh.

Literary work

Johrapurkar has published nearly 100 scholarly articles in well-known magazines like Sanmati and Anekanta . He has also been interviewed by Nagpur Doordarshan and Radio Nagpur.

One of his notable works, Bhattaraka-Sampradaya, offers a detailed reconstruction of Digambar Jain monastic lineages through the study of Jain inscriptions. [1] [2] [3]

List of publications

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References

  1. Gender and Salvation: Jaina Debates on the Spiritual Liberation of Women, Padmanabh S. Jaini, University of California Press, 1991 p. 221
  2. Jaina Community: A Social Survey, Volume 2 of Popular library of Indian sociology and social thought, Vilas Adinath Sangave, Popular Prakashan, 1980p. 428
  3. Middle Indo-Aryan and Jaina Studies, Volumes 6-7 of World Sanskrit Conference 7, 1987, Leiden, Editors Colette Caillat, J. G. de Casparis, BRILL, 1991, p. 68