Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.5

c4.5

In an endeavour like this imperfections and drawbacks are only inevitable, and I am fully conscious of the same. But as a pioneer effort, and as a much needed aid to the teaching and study of Malayalam language and literature, it will, I hope, be found useful. Scholars and general readers in Malayalam have been generous in welcoming the encyclopaedia. That four editions of the work had to be brought out within a period of seven years from 1967 to 1974 speaks eloquently for the merit, and utility of the work and I feel my labour and expense amply rewarded. I felt still more flattered when the celebrated firm of M/s Motilal Banarsidass of Delhi, who have already laid the world of Indology under a deep debt of obligation by their monumental publications in all fields of Indian Culture and history, mooted a proposal for publishing an English translation of the Malayalam original. I am deeply indebted to them for bringing my work before a much wider circle of readers. The onerous task of translating the work into English was entrusted to a committee of five scholars : 1. Mr. P. Rajaram Menon, Professor of English, Basel mission College, Kottayam; 2. Mr. K. R. Atchutan Nayar, retired Professor of English, C.M.S. College, Kottayam; 3. R. K. Kartha, ex-Chief Editor, Deshbandhu, Kottayam; 4. P. I. John, Retired Headmaster, Kurichi ; and 5. Mr. P. N. Menon, Ollur. I need hardly point out that these members of the editorial committee are highly qualified for this work and I must gladly acknowledge the fact that they have more than amply justified the trust placed in them.