Studies in the Epics and Puranas c5: Preface
Studies in the Epics and Purāṇas c5
- Language
- English
Preface
c5.1
The present book owes its origin and publication to the kind interest shown in my work by H. E. Dr. K. M. Munshi, who not only gave me constant encouragement and suggested the publication of my articles in book-form, but was actually responsible for the idea worked out in Chapter IV — the identity of Kuruśravaṇa and Kuru — which his creative imagination had foreseen. This volume is a collection of different papers which are intended to serve as an introduction to the study of the epics and Purāṇas. The papers appeared in different journals and books and I have taken this opportunity of revising them. The last paper on "Epic and Purāṇic Studies", which originally covered the period up to 1942, has been brought up-to-date. I have specially prepared an introduction for this volume dealing with the Mahābhārata, the Rāmāyaṇa, and the Purāṇas, which is expected to be of use to readers.
c5.2
Chapters I and IV originally appeared as articles in the Bhāratīya Vidyā, and Chapter V as Chapter II, Section III, in the Glory that was Gūrjaradeśa, Vol. I, published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. I am grateful to the authorities of the Bhavan for their permission to print them in this book. Chapter II originally appeared in Dhruva Commemoration Volume, and I offer my grateful thanks to the Editor Prof. Rasiklal Parikh for granting me permission to publish the article here. Chapter III formed an article in the Journal of the University of Bombay, and I am indebted to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bombay for granting me the permission. Chapter VI, which originally appeared in the Progress of Indic Studies published by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Poona, is being published here with the kind permission of the authorities of the Institute, to whom my thanks are due.
c5.3
In the preparation of "Epic and Purāṇic Studies" I received immense help from my revered Guru the late Dr. Sukthankar, who has laid me under a permanent obligation. I am also deeply indebted to my revered Guru Prof. Velankar, who was ever willing with his valuable guidance and suggestions, and I have derived much benefit from him. Prof. Dr. Gode, as usual, was always helpful, and I record my deep debt of gratitude to him. My friend Dr. Hazra has obliged me by giving me a list of his contributions on Purāṇic studies, by the gift of off-prints of his articles, and by occasional suggestions. To another friend Prof. Gore I owe a special debt of gratitude for the troubles he took for me in going carefully through the press-copy, in offering valuable suggestions, and in helping in the correction of most of the galley-proofs.
c5.4
A.D.P.