Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c16.s2: II. The Epics
Theory of Government in Ancient India (Post-Vedic) c16.s2
- Language
- English
II. The Epics
c16.s2.1
The text of the epics has come down in various recensions, but no one edition can be said to be wholly accurate. The Calcutta edition of the Mahābhārata (1834-9) includes the Harivaṃśa. The Bombay edition (1888) does not contain it and also differs in some places from the Calcutta edition.
c16.s2.2
The text handed down by South Indian tradition differs substantially from the northern recensions. It has been published in Bombay, 1906--10. The northern texts are in general use.
c16.s2.3
The Rāmāyaṇa text has a similar history. The Bengal text, without the last book, was published by G. Gorresio in Paris, 1843--50. The Bombay edition, with the complete text, appeared in 1895. The South Indian readings given in another edition (published in Bombay, 1905) do not materially differ from the above edition.
c16.s2.4
Translations. The Mahābhārata in the northern recension was translated into English under the editorship of P.C. Ray in Calcutta, 1883-96; also by M. N. Datta (Calcutta, 1896). R. C. Dutta published an abridged translation (London, 1899). P. C. Ray's translation has been followed in the text.
c16.s2.5
The Rāmāyaṇa has not been wholly translated into English yet. G. Gorresio edited it with an Italian translation in 1843--67.
c16.s2.6
A beautiful commentary was published by Jacobi (Bonn, 1893).
c16.s2.7
R. T. H. Griffith published an abridged translation (Benares, 1895). J. Muir's Original Sanskrit Texts (London, 1868--84) gives copious extracts from the religious chapters of the epics.
c16.s2.8
Hopkins, E. W. The Great Epics of India, and India Old and New of (New York, 1901).
c16.s2.9
J.A.O.S., 1888, for the social and military position of the ruling caste.