Halas Sattasai

Author(s): Hermen Tieken
Publisher: Leiden

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AKM VII 4, Leipzig, 1881 (repr. Nendeln, Lichtenstein, 1966). This is the first 'complete' edition of the Sattasas. However, readings, translations, extracts and certain observations of Weber, found in the earlier publications, have not been repeated here. The edition includes material from a number of MSS acquired only after the completion of the Retr., namely of y, Y, E, E, I, X, W and V.
In the introduction Weber classifies the available MSS in altogether six recensions:
1) Vulgata: 4 and y (text), K, B and P (text and commentary) and A,
C, E,'and (commentary only). 2) Jaina-recension: R (text) (and Bh (text and commentary), edited
only in 1883; see below). 3) x-recension: x (commentary only). 4) Sãdharanadeva-recension: S (text and commentary). 5) Telinga-recension: T (text) and TC (commentary only). 6) Second Telinga-recension: W (text and commentary) and V (Chāyā
only).
This classification is solely based on features in the outward appearance of the MSS. Each recension appears to differ from the others, in the first place, in respect of the order of the Gathās. In this connection the special status of the Sadhāranadeva and Telinga-recensions should be noted: in both the Gāthās have been arranged topicwise in groups, called Vrajyas and Paddhatis respectively. Furthermore, each recension is characterized by the absence or inclusion of certain Gathās. In this connection the Second Telinga-recension stands out: it includes even in its longer form only 104 Gathās.
Next Weber tries to determine which recension would represent the most original or authentic version of the Sattasai (pp. XLV-LI). In doing so he proceeded from the assumption that the most original recension would be the one which includes the greatest number of Gātās occurring in all the other recensions as well. This appears to be the Vulgata with 430 Gāthas that also occur in the other recensions.
In this work Weber has therefore edited in the first place the text of the so-called Vulgata, and in particular as it was commented upon by