Critical Studies in the Mahabharata (V. S. Sukthankar Memorial Edition, Vol. I) c7.s3.55

c7.s3.55

The agreement between S and Ñ V₁ Dn D₁ signifies absolutely nothing for the *original* reading; it is purely the result of conflation. V₁ is, moreover, not a *version*; it is merely a single MS., written in Maithilī script, and as such, capable of showing any reading at random. Again, the agreement of ÑV₁ with Dn and S against B Da is most unnatural and thoroughly suspicious. In other words, the MS. evidence here is extremely confused. Ordinarily I would have adopted the Ś₁ K reading *mānuṣatvam upāgatāḥ*, which has occurred already in the previous adhy. (1. 92. 50), and occurs again in (B) 3. 83. 66; but owing to the *mānuṣīm* of B, which recurs in S, I have given here preference to the reading of the Bengali version. I may point out that it is the reading of the entire Bengali version, and not of a few unimportant MSS., as Winternitz imagines. The readings are these: