________________ xii Introduction given the stories of old sages very very briefly by .quoting the prominent features of each sage in one or two stanzas only, refers to the story of 'Kummaputta' in one stanza only, which means "I bow down to Kummaputta who had the height of his body measuring only two hands, and who became enlightened and went to Siddhigati characterized by the shortest bodily measure, being guarded by the three Guptis" ( St. 125 ). Out of the various commentaries and glosses, only two or three commentators like S'ubhardhana or Harshanandana have narrated the stories at great length, while others have simply remarked at various places that the stories are too famous to require any detailed comment. Our author's narrative not only bears a very close resemblance to that of S'ubhavardhana but fulfils all the necessary criteria to enable us to say that our author has got his narrative based on that of S'ubhavardhana. The prominent features of the life of Kummaputta are the same in both as they are bound to be. S'ubhavardhana's narrative is extremely brief, consisting of only 82 stanzas (see Parishishta) allowing no digression and barely describing each incident in a very direct unornamented matter-of-fact manner. Our
