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recensions, the variant in question is not repeated. Note in this connection that this meant that the order K, 4, B, Y and P could not always be maintained.
The Critical Apparatus is followed by an English translation. The translation in a way had to be a compromise. I have attempted to keep as close as possible to the Prākrit text in order to help the reader to identify the words. On the other hand, in several instances a literal translation fails to convey the intention of the Gathā as a whole, so that recourse had to be taken to certain idiomatic expressions. In several cases even then further comment on the meaning of the Gathā was deemed necessary, which is found in the Notes.
I have dispensed with introducing specific symbols which would indicate where the text adopted is doubtful or conjectural. Problems concerning the reconstruction are discussed in the Notes.
These same, Notes are furthermore intended to clarify all other problems which may arise in connection with the text. A recurrent theme in the Notes is the discussion of the relation between the text and the indigenous grammatical tradition, with special emphasis on the grammars by Vararuci and Hemacandra, and the relation between the text and traditional lexicography, as exemplified by Dhanapala's Pāiyalaccht and Hemacandra's Deś Tnāmamālā.
The Gathās of the Sattasaf have often been quoted as illustrations in Sanskrit works on poetics. The earliest work of this type in which Gathas have been quoted is the Dhvanyaloka; e.g. Gatha 669 on p. 20, 110 on p. 119, etc. Another work in which Gāthās from the Sattas at occur is Bhoja's Śrngaraprakāśa. In an appendix (Abhang) to his Abh. (p. 202 ff.) Weber collected the Prākrit Gathās quoted in Dhanika's commentary on the Daśarūpa, in Mammaţa's Kāvyaprakāśa and in Visvanatha's Sāhityadarpana. A number of these Gathās is also found in the Sattasat. Besides in works on poetics, Pādas or even smaller parts of Gathās have also been quoted in Hemacandra's Prākrit grammar. In this edition the problem of the testimonia is not taken up. I have made an exception for the quotations collected in Weber's Abhang and those found in Hemacandra's grammar. They are referred to immediately below the Critical Apparatus; only important variants are noted.
