________________ PREFACE . The scientific literature written in Sanskrit and Prakrit has not been sufficiently explored. A considerable number of unpublished mss. pertaining to the scientific subjects like Ratnapariksa, Silpa; Ayurvedo, Ganita, Pranisastra, etc. are available to us. And it is our duty to bring them to light. We have taken a step in this direction by way of publishing the present work. The commentary on Ac. Hemacandra's Nighantusesakosa, by Sri Srivallabha Upadhyaya (17th Cent, V. S.), is published here for the first time. We must thank Rev. Muni Punyavijayaji for critically editing the text and the commentary with many important Appendices. His 'Editor's Note' is really illuminating. We are very grateful to Shri Bapalal G Vaidya for writing a learned introduction to this edition. My thanks are also due to Pt. Amratlal who read the proofs.. We must express our sincere thanks to the Ministry of Education, New Delhi. If it were not for the generous grant given to us by the said ministry under the scheme for publishing rare nianuscripts this edition of the so far unpublished text would not have come to light in this present form. We hope that this publication will be of very great value for the students of Ayurveda and Botany. L. D. Institute of Indology, Ahnedabad-9. 1-6-68 Nagin J. Shah Acting Director
