History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c90.170.1

v7.c90.170.1

Prof Hazra deals with the Narasiṃha-purāṇa on pp 219–266 of his ‘Studies’ vol I The only printed edition is that published in 1911 by Gopal Narayan and Co. (Bombay) in 68 chapters based on three mss about which no information is given. This Purāṇa appears to have been composed solely for the glorification of Narasiṃha identified with Nārāyaṇa. Prof Hazra has used several mss., two, the oldest, being dated in saka 1567 (i e 1645 A. D ), some of the others are not dated and a few are dated so late as 1798 A. D. and 1810 A D; and some are written in Bengali script On p 322 Prof. Hazra says about one ms. in Eggeling’s cat of India Office mss that it was copied about 1500–1600 A D and its last five folios were supplied in 1789 A D. No reasons are given why this ms. should be regarded as being copied between 1500–1600. This is probably a guess, so all the mss consulted are not earlier than the 17th and following centuries Most mss. do not agree with the printed edition in the number of chapters and also lack certain chapters of the printed edition. Prof. Hazra holds (p. 242) on various grounds, all of which cannot be examined here, that the ‘present Narasimhapurāṇa is to be placed between 400-500 A D.’ One or two of his characteristic arguments will be noticed here In chap 36. 9 (kalau prāpte yathā Buddho bhaven-Nārāyaṇah prabhuḥ) Buddha is mentioned;