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2
PREFACE
tion into Gujarati being the chief ones. It is to be much regretted that almost all the printed editions are full of misprints and inaccuracies and present considerable difficulty to the reader. The Agamodaya Samiti edition is the best of the lot, but the copies of it are no longer available in the market. There is no English translation also of the book prepared as yet. The present edition is therefore undertaken with a view to give (1) a correct and reliable text based upon the oldest manuscripts, (2) a word for word translation of the whole text, (3) explanatory and critical notes and (4) the oldest commentary viz. the Niryukti of Bhadrabahu. For purposes of translation and notes there was taken at several places, the help of the commentaries of Haribhadracārya, Sumatisūri, Shantisūri and a few Sanskrit and Gujarati glosses, by unknown authors. The Sanskrit glosses appear to be only abridgments of Haribhadrasuri's commentary.
The manuscript material collected for the edition was fairly representative and satisfactory for bringing out a correct and authoritative text; the commentaries and glosses available have been fully taken into consideration in explanations and the translation. Acknowledging with sincere thanks the help of friends who supplied the Manuscript and other material, the editor wishes to say that his labour would be fully rewarded if readers are enabled to understand, grasp and appreciate the subject with the help of the notes and the translation and are inspired to drink deeper from the fountain head viz. the various Anga books.
March 1, 1932.
K. V. Abhyankar.
Preface to the Second Edition.
The Second Edition is prepared with a few necessary additions and alterations. The Niryukti is omitted altogether as it is not of much use to the ordinary reader.
June 11, 1938..
K. V. Abhyankar.