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age and at one time man's mind could condition itself for the descent of the Vedic Mantras from above the mind and intellect, why should it not be possible now? That was how Daivarāta could prove that it can be done even now.
It was not an accident nor a chance Mantra finding expression through a highstrung mind that happened in the case of Daiyarāta. The whole process repeated itself for sixteen days and while the disciple was in a trance and unware of what he was saying, the Guru studiously took down what was clear and whole and audible to him. To be master of Sanskrit is one thing, but even that Daivarāta was not at that time; even then Mantras true to the style, diction, accent, archaism, vocabulary, grammar and all that, poured out of the lips of the young disciple day in and day out. This shows that at stated times there was a sustained inspiration and a steady flow of Mantras 450 in number.
This phenomena should hearten every one and remind us that it is not only the past that could be bright and great, but that the future too can be greater and brighter, that creative evolution has not stopped, nor have the fountains of life gone dry. Sri Aurobindo who is a modern seer has given a call and declared that from the dawns of the past we have to look forward to the noons of the future.
Apart from being good and high poetry, the thought content of * Chhando-darśana' is not merely eulogistic but penetrating, philosophical and inspiring. The unitive thought of the Mantras, the logical sequence and the arrangement of hymns and sections is artistic. The vigour and force of the language is contagious. When the Rshi speaks of the cosmic gods and goddesses, of Indra, of Sarasvati, of Brahmaṇaspati, one is carried away by the grand conceptions reflected in the words.
Now a few acknowledgements which cannot but be a part of the introduction. I deem it not only a privilege but my great good fortune that Brahmarshi Daivarāta gave me the opportunity to serve him and the great cause he represents. Next to him, though I have been in charge of editing I must thank the translators who very patiently and doggedly pursued the work with the occasional help and guidance of Daivarätji. One of them, Sri Devudu Narasimhaśāstri is unfortunately now no more. The other translator, Prof. S. R. Malgi had to bear the major burden. I must not forget Smt. Shanta A. Diwakar for having collected facts and drafted a lifesketch of Daivarätji in collaboration with Prof. S. R. Malgi. That lifesketch has been very helpful in introducing the Brahmarshi to many friends.
All these efforts however, would have gone in vain if the Bhåratiya Vidya Bhavan of Bombay had not come forward to take up the publication
