How did Jain Tirthankara iconography evolve across centuries, and what accounts for the distinct visual differences that emerged across Jainism's various sectarian traditions? These are the central questions that The Sacred Form: A Study of Jain Tirthankara Iconography and Sectarian Traditions, a book by Jain researcher and independent scholar Mr. Arpit Shah, sets out to answer with rigour, depth, and scriptural grounding.

The book which had its ceremonial launch on February 21, 2026, at the historic Gacchadhiraj Pattabhishekam Mahotsav held in Surat is now officially available on Amazon and across leading bookstores, bringing a significant work of Jain scholarship within reach of a wider national and international audience.

The book was unveiled in the presence of Jain Acharya Shri Yashovarmasurishwarji Maharaja through the hands of noted archaeologists and historians Mr. Monish Shah and Mr. Siddhartha Kale. Now, with its wider public release, the book is poised to reach the broader audience; scholars, researchers, students of art history and Indology, and members of the Jain community devoted to the accurate understanding of their iconographic heritage.

The book represents years of dedicated research into the development of Jain iconography across centuries, examining the distinct differences that emerged across various sectarian traditions within Jainism. Drawing upon canonical scriptural sources, classical Shilpashastra texts, and extensive field observations, the work offers a systematic framework for understanding the evolution, symbolism, and sectarian variations within Jain image-making practices — a subject that, despite its antiquity and precision, has historically suffered from misinterpretation and insufficient documentation.

The Foreword to the research work has been penned by Adv. Vishnu Shankar Jain, Advocate on Record at the Supreme Court of India known for his contribution in various cases involving reclamation of Indic heritage. In his foreword, Mr. Jain described the book as "a significant scholarly contribution to the study of Jain visual and material culture," noting that Jain iconography "represents not merely artistic expression but a structured visual articulation of core doctrinal ideals such as detachment, omniscience, and spiritual equanimity." He further observed that the work "offers a coherent framework for understanding the evolution, symbolism, and sectarian variations within Jain image-making practices," and expressed confidence that it would serve as a valuable reference for scholars of religious studies, art history, and Indology, as well as practitioners devoted to the preservation of Jain heritage.

The book has been published by Labdhi Vikram Jain Seva Trust (LVJST), which has supported the work both editorially and institutionally as part of its commitment to the preservation of Jain scholarship.

Underscoring the need for the work, Shah noted: "Across centuries, attempts have been made, sometimes unknowingly, sometimes deliberately, to misinterpret the forms of Jain sacred images. This book is a response to that distortion, grounded not in opinion but in scriptural authority and archaeological evidence." The author has credited the inspiration and completion of the work to the divine blessings of Param Pujya Gacchadhipati Acharya Shri Yashovarmasurishwarji Maharaja Saheb and the constant guidance of Pujya Shri Tirthyashvijayji Maharaj Saheb. "It is their grace that moved this pen," Mr. Shah said in a statement shared at the time of the launch.

A Company Secretary and PGDBA by qualification, Mr. Arpit Shah is recognised in Jain scholarly circles for his ability to harmonise analytical precision with deep spiritual engagement. His earlier writings on Jain heritage have been widely appreciated across academic and community audiences. With multiple books now to his name, his contribution to the documentation and preservation of Jain heritage continues to grow in both depth and reach.

The Sacred Form is available on Amazon and at select bookstores.