Shataka Trayadi Subhashit Sangraha

SR No.: 002915
Original Sutra Author: Bhartuhari
Author: Dharmanand Kosambi
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
Publication Year: 1948
Total Pages: 346
Language: Hindi, English
Classification: Book_Devnagari & Literature
File Size: 22 MB

Page 15

iv
FOREWORD
In making this reference to Dharmanandji, the sacred memory of our long, friendly connection overflows my heart and fills my vision. I first learned of the principles of Buddhism and its monastic order through Dharmanandji's writings. My curiosity was excited by two of his Marathi books, "Buddha, Dharma, ani Samgha", and "Buddha-lila-sara-samgraha ". By chance, I came to read his Marathi autobiography "Nivedana", and was astounded at the varied events and stages of his stormy life. I saw some particular similarities to my own in his life and character, and my mind was attracted to him in admiration. But the situation in which I lead his books and that in which he then found himself were so greatly at variance that I could not imagine any possibility of making his personal acquaintance during the course of our lives.
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By a trick of fate I became a follower in 1920 of the non-cooperation movement begun by Mahatma Gandhi and decided to serve in the Gujarat Vidyapith to be established at Ahmedabad according to Mahātmāji's plans. The Vidyapith founded an institute, the Puratattva Mandir, under my direction for the study of ancient Indian history, literature, philosophy, and philology, as well as instruction, research, and publication. Here, arrangements were made for the study and teaching of Sanskrit, Prakrit, the Vernaculars, and other subjects of the kind. By chance, Dharmanandji had just returned to this country from America after finishing his work at Harvard University. At the instance of Kākāsäheb Kalelkar, then one of the secretaries of that institution, he accepted the chair of Pali literature and studies at the Puratattva Mandir. From that day we became collaborators and friends of similar tastes and temperament. Thereafter he moved several times, and so did I, but our friendship became increasingly closer.
In 1929, he called on me in Berlin, on his way to the U.S. S. R. During my stay in Berlin, my mind became more and more steeped in socialist ideas; Kosambiji's mind was also more strongly attracted toward socialism during his Russian sojourn. During my residence at S'antiniketan-Viśvabhāratī, 1930-34, he too came there one day and expressed the wish to stay with me for some time; but again he went off to dwell at Banaras, Saranath, and such localities. Then the "Bahujana Vihar" was started at Parel in Bombay and he served by his teaching the depressed portion of the social classes regarded as the lower. In those very days this Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan was established and some of the burden of managing its literary and educational activities fell upon me. It was my desire that he too should become my colleague and I made some overtures to that effect; but his mind was already becoming more and more inclined not to be tied down to any place or task but finish the remnant of his life in detachment. Nevertheless, he said to me that the principal philosophic book in Pali literature was the Visuddhimagga of Buddhaghosa for the editing