________________
MAI, 1898.)
THE SOUTH INDIAN BHCENSION OF THE MAHABHARATA.
128
The account given of the contents of the single Parvans in the Anukramani is of considerable importance for Mahdbhdrata criticism. For it is always worth something, if an episode about the genuineness of which doubts are entertained, can be proved to have been known to the compiler of this Anukramari.
It is, therefore, important to see that the South-Indian recension gives a considerably shorter list of contents than the Nagari editions. How much in portance can be attached to the omissions in our MS., we shall not be able to decide, until many more MSS. fruant different parts of India have been collated.
It is, however, interesting to see that the allusion to the Sakuntala episode (in vv. 956 and 96) is missing in the Grantha MS. For as we shall see below, the same episode is omitted in a Malayalam MS. of the Sambhava Parpan of the Malábhdrata.
Another important omission is that of v. 109-110 alluding to the birth of Draupadl and Dhộishtadyamna, and to Vyâsa's meeting with the Pandavas, when he tells them to proceed to Panchâla for Draupadi's Svayamdara.
But there are numerous omissions, especially in the summary of the Vama Parvan, which at present can hardly be accounted for, and even the arrangement of the episodes in the Grantha MS. differs to a very great extent from that in the editions. I will only give a few examples, in order to shew the great discrepancies between the two versions. The asterisks shew the passages which are onnitted in the Grautha MB. 1. 2, 166 sqq.
Corresponding passage in the Devanagari (Bombay) edition:
in the Grantha Ms. 1. Story of Karna being deprived of his 1. Story of Agastya, tbe Asura Vatapi, and ear-rings.
Lopamudra. *2. Eulogy of Gaya.
2. Story of the hawk and the pigeon. 3. Story of Agastya, the Asura Vatapi, and 3. Sivi, examined by Indra and Ayni and Lopamudra.
Dharma. 4. Story of Rishyassiúga.
4. Story of Risyasringa (sic). 6. Story of Ráma, the son of Jamadagni, 5. Story of Rama, the son of Jamadagoi, and death of Kärta virya and the
and death of Kartavirya and the Haihayas.
Haihayas. 6. Meeting between the Pandavae and 6. Story of Karga being deprived of his Vrishộis in the Tirtha Prabhâsa.
ear-rings. 7. Story of Sukanya, Chyavana, and the 7. Bhimasena in Gandhamadana, at Dran. Asvins.
padt's request. *8. Story of Mândhatri.
8. Bhima's bath in the tank and destrac
tion of the flowers. 9. Story of Jantu.
9. Battle with the Yakshas. 10. Story of the hawk and the pigeou. 10. Story of Sukanya, Chyavana, and the
Asvins. 11. 'Sivi, examined by Indra and Agni and. 11. Story of Janta.
Dharma. 12. Ashtavakra and his disputation with 12. Ashțávakra and his disputation with Vandin.
Vandin. 13. Defeat of Vandin.
13. Defeat of Vandin. 14. Story of Yayakrita and Raibhya.
14. Destruction of the Asura Jata by Bhima. 15. Departure of the Pâņdavas for Gandha 15. Battle with the Nivậtakavachas. *madans.
Etc. 16. Bhimasena in Gandhamadana, at Drau
padi's request.
