[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904) › c2 # An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c2: Preface An Index to the Names in the Mahābhārata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c2 - **Language:** English ### Preface ### [c2.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.1) The present work consists of two portions—the Index proper and the Cross-Index. The Index deals mainly with the proper names occurring in the Mahābhārata. The student should therefore first look for information under such headings as are names, or under narrative headings such as Indravijaya and the like. ### [c2.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.2) The paragraph references found under the names in the Index are given in figures \[e.g. § 547\], and sometimes with the addition of small italic letters \[e.g. § 547a\]. Where there is no such addition, the paragraphs (viz. abstracts or paraphrases of the text) contain the sections of the narrative, and given under the name in question, because that particular name is the principal actor. Such paragraph references, without small italic letters, are followed by a parenthesis. Thus, under the heading Agni, we find the reference "§ 282 (Khāṇḍavadah.)." Here the references are suggestive of a narrative which is given in full under the heading given within parenthesis, viz. Khāṇḍavadaha, because the person in question, in this case Agni, is the name of one among several persons, and it would seem arbitrary to refer the narrative to him alone. ### [c2.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.3) A small italic letter after a paragraph reference and followed by a parenthesis is used when the name to which it is added does not connote the principal actor of the narrative, but is only incidentally mentioned, though the narrative is, either solely, or at least chiefly, concerned with it. If further information is required, it must be looked for under the heading given within parenthesis, where the name in question is mentioned, the small italic letter being added within parenthesis as a kind of cross-reference. ### [c2.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.4) Under Māhishmatī we thus find the quotation "§ 282b (Sahadeva)" followed by a remark concerning Māhishmatī. Further particulars must then be looked for under Sahadeva, where we read, "§ 282: From Kishkindhā Shd. marched towards Māhishmatī (b) . . . ." ### [c2.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.5) A small Greek letter indicates that the reference is chiefly of interest on account of the connection in which it occurs, and that further information will be found under the heading referred to within parenthesis, where the same Greek letter has likewise been added, within parenthesis, as a cross-reference. ### [c2.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.6) Take, for instance, the reference given under Duḥçāsana, "§ 83 (Ādivamçāv.) α: I, 63, 2447" (or, I, 63a, 2447). Similarly, we find under Duḥsaha, "§ 83 (Ādivamçāv.) α: I, 63, 2447." These references show that Duḥçāsana and Duḥsaha are mentioned under the heading Ādivamçāvatāraṇa, and that no immediate interest attaches to their being referred to in that section. The statement made under Ādivamçāvatāraṇa runs, "§ 83: the 101 sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, of whom 11 (α) . . . are enumerated as mahārathas." ### [c2.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.7) I need not say that I have not thought it worth while to enumerate those 11 names (which can be looked for in the Sanskrit texts), but the passage in question gives the names and the headings of each of them. ### [c2.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.8) to return to the quotation under Duḥśāsana, “ 83 (Ādivamçāv.) α: I, 63, 2447.” the figures 63, 2447 refer to a passage where Duḥśāsana is actually mentioned. ### [c2.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.9) small α shows that the mention of his name presumably is of little or no general and may be practically neglected from a mythological or legendary point of view. ### [c2.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.10) reader nevertheless wishes to know the purport of the reference, the word given esis shows that information will be found under Ādivamçāvatāraṇa, and one that heading will show that Duḥśāsana is there only mentioned, among eleven ons, as a mahāratha. ### [c2.11](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.11) Ādivamçāvatāraṇa, with or without one additional inspection of the § 83, will at once show the reader who in his memory has a general idea of Mahābhārata that the quotation has been taken from a kind of preface or principal narrative of the Epos, which is placed after the sections where, not auti is the speaker. According to his critical disposition he will, or will not, this fact. ### [c2.12](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.12) have been marked by the addition of (iva) or the like. ### [c2.13](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.13) (†), ††, and (††) have a critical value. I have not, of course, allowed d by critical theories. I have only intended to draw attention to such itical importance. According to his disposition, the reader may or may m those signs. The danger is that they may sometimes have been ence. ### [c2.14](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.14) s, in ordinary type, refer to the Calcutta edition; the numbers of , to the Bombay text. By using the Concordance it will be possible, v. to calculate what verse in the Bombay edition corresponds to Mahābhārata. ### [c2.15](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.15) quoted in Roman numbers. ### [c2.16](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.16) The enumeration of verses is, except where the heading is marked by an asterisk, intended to be complete, and I hope that it is so, at least with regard to all instances where there cannot be any doubt that the heading occurs as a name. In such cases, on the other hand, where it may have been a matter of subjective feeling during the reading whether a word should be considered as a proper name or as a mere laudatory epithet, I fear that there may be some incompleteness and inconsistency. Thus some synonyms of Agni and Arjuna, which will be found in Mr. Holtzmann’s lists, have not been registered. ### [c2.17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.17) There are also some other inconsistencies, sometimes voluntary, for the sake of convenience, sometimes involuntary, due to the fact that my work has extended over a very great span of time. These latter ones are faults for which I must ask indulgence, but I hope that they will not cause any serious misunderstanding or inconvenience. I do not now venture to con them, lest the numerous cross-references should be imperilled. ### [c2.18](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.18) The numerous synonyms, such as Kiriṭin for Arjuna, have, as a rule, been pu principal name; e g. Kiriṭin, etc., under Arjuna. Such denominations tc., have, however, been given separately in their proper pla ew with regard to them clearly being to be able to know e instance. ### [c2.19](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.19) In the case of such synonyms, and of articles the contents of which are unimportant, I have only quoted book and verse. In other cases I have usually also added reference to paragraph and chapter. Take, for instance, under the heading Arjuna, the quotation § 613 (Gadāyuddh.), IX, 32-33: 33, 1890, 1921. Here the explanatory addition (Gadāyuddh.) refers the reader to the heading Gadāyuddhaparvan, where a summary of the narrative in question will be found under Book ix, chapters 32-33. The quotation 33, 1890, 1921 indicates the places where the name Arjuna actually occurs. ### [c2.20](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.20) In some cases the summary of the narrative has also, for the sake of convenience, been repeated, in a more or less abridged form, under the special heading; thus, in our present case, under Arjuna. ### [c2.21](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.21) In these, probably not very numerous, cases the reference to the paragraph is only necessary in order to get an idea of the wider connection in which the quotation occurs. In other instances the exposition must almost entirely be looked for in the paragraph quoted. Thus in the case of the quotation §§ 254-260 (Khāṇḍavadah.), I, 222-234, under the heading Arjuna. Here the narrative will be found in §§ 254-260 under the heading Khāṇḍavadahanaparvan. By referring to the Concordance, under the same paragraphs, the place which the narrative occupies in the epic as a whole will immediately be seen. ### [c2.22](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.22) By arranging in numerical order, i.e. in the order of the Concordance, the paragraphs as given in the Index, we should obtain a synopsis of the contents of the whole epic, in the order of the original. Essentially the same result may be obtained from the article Arjuna, where I have introduced more repetitions (i.e. statements which are also found under other headings) than in any other article. ### [c2.23](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.23) With regard to repetitions, I have thought it more important to enable the reader to use the Index conveniently and without unnecessary waste of time, than to save space. I have not, therefore, strictly avoided them in the principal articles, though I have done so in most cases by referring to paragraph articles and to the headings under which the quotations concerned are first given. ### [c2.24](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.24) The text on which the Index is based is, on the whole, the Calcutta edition. Readings from other sources (i.e. almost exclusively the Bombay edition) have only been noticed for special reasons. ### [c2.25](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.25) In transliterating the Sanskrit words, it will be noticed that I have followed the order of the Latin alphabet, without paying any attention to diacritical marks. I have adopted the usual system of transliteration, with some modifications. Thus the palatal mute is given as c, ch being reserved for the corresponding aspirate; j is the palatal media, and y the corresponding semi-vowel. The palatal and cerebral s-sounds have been transliterated ç and sh respectively. ### [c2.26](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.26) The only exception from the strict adherence to the arrangement in accordance with the alphabet is that the letters ç and ṛ have been treated as separate letters and placed after respectively. This has been done because these sounds are often transliterated as ### [c2.27](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.27) CORDANCE it will be noticed that the mutual relations s and chapters has been indicated in various wa nd trouble. ### [c2.28](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.28) Where the paragraphs are separated from the synopsis of chapters and verses, the headings to which they belong in the Index have simply been printed after the other indications relating to them. E.g., § 19 (giving the contents of Mhblr. I, 5, 1–11) will be found under the heading ‘BHRGU.’ Where the paragraphs are not so separated, it should be generally understood that the title of the minor parvan to which a paragraph belongs is also the heading under which it will be found in the Index. E.g., § 249 (Mhblr. I, 215) under the heading ‘ARJUNAVANAVĀSAPARVAN.’ If this is not the case, the paragraphs are to be found in the Index under the titles of those chapters of the parvan in question which have been printed with spaced type. E.g., § 177 (Mhblr. I, 113) under the heading ‘PĀṆḌUDIGVIJAYA,’ § 161 (Mhblr. I, 96) under the heading ‘MAHĀBHIṢOPĀKHYĀNA,’ and not under ‘SAMBHAVAPARVAN.’ ### [c2.29](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.29) My sincere thanks are due to those who have helped me with their advice or have in other ways shown their interest in my work. In this connection I beg to mention Professor V. Fausböll, Professor K. F. Geldner, Professor Ch. R. Lanman, Dr. Sten Konow, and Dr. G. A. Grierson. The valuable suggestions made by Professor Lanman have, in many respects, left material traces in the arrangement of the Index, and certainly rendered it much more convenient and useful to the student than would otherwise have been the case. My young friend Mr. Elof Olesen deserves my warmest thanks for the care and sagacity with which he has assisted me in the revision of the manuscript. ### [c2.30](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.30) Finally, I tender my respectful thanks for the pecuniary assistance which has rendered the compilation of this work possible, viz., the very liberal support which I have received from the Carlsberg Fond at Copenhagen, and from the Danish Government and the Danish Parliament. ### [c2.31](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.31) S. SÖRENSEN. ### [c2.32](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2.32) COPENHAGEN. February, 1902. ## Linked texts (2) - [Mahābhārata](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.mahabharata.vyasa) — Vyāsa, Sanskrit - [Māhiṣmatī](https://indike.org/pramana/inp.epigraphy.central.mahishmati) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.sorensen-1904.c2) · Pramāṇa