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APRIL, 1921]
BOOK NOTICE
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spirit, not of mere controversy, but of assistance | 5th, which would put him before Kulasekhara, towards the knowledge of the truth of the facts. probably in the 8th century A.D. or even earlier. There is a good index.
To this view the Professor inclines. The first lecture deals with the definition and
The last lecture deals with Poygai, Bhutattår general explanation of Vaishnavism, and I may and Pey, the earliest of the Alwars in general say at once that, all the lectures being given by
estimation, the fourth being Tirumalisai. The # Hindu to a Hindu audience, a general knowledge
first three are placed in the 2nd century A.D., and of Hinduism is presupposed. The author sums
the traditional order is adopted as probable. up the "fundamental idea of Vaishnavism" This question of the dates of the Vaishnava thus:-"It is contained in one verse of Tiruma Alwars has a far greater importance to history lisai Alwar which may be freely rendered : 'Let than would at first appear, for on it depends the thy grace be for me toclay ; let it come tomorrow : wider question of the respective dates for the rise let it wait still longer and come sometime after; and development of the two great varieties of Thy grace I am sure is mine. I am certain,
philosophic Hinduism—the Saiva and the VaishO Narayana, I am not without Theo, nor art Thou nave. Professor Krishnaswami Aiyangar's book without me.'” Here speaks true philosophic
sophicis & valuable contribution towards the solution Hinduism.
of this important matter of history. The Professor holds Vaishnavism to be the
R. C. TEMPLE. direct offspring of the doctrine of Bhakti or Devotional Faith and agreeg with Professor Bhandarkar THE LINGÂNULASANA OF VAMANA. WITH TH that it is traceable to "the age of Buddhism and AUTHOR'S OWN COMMENTARY. Edited with Intro Jainism," i.e. to the earliest historical times. He duotion and Indexee by Chimanlal D. Dalal, M.A. holds also that the doctrine originated in the North, (Central Library, Baroda). Price Six annas. was elaborated in the South and "sent back in This is the sixth volume of the "Caekwad': Oria more realistic reflex wave which swept over the ental Series, for the publication of which lovers of whole land of India." The Vaishnava teachers
Sanskrit literature are indebted to His Highness the were firstly the Alwârs, the popular poet-saints Maharaja of Baroda. The present work is a small (as distinguished from the Nayanmars of the book of 30 dryds on the genders of Sanskrit nouns. Saivas), and secondly the Acharyas or professional An incorrect edition of it was published by Prof. propagandists. The former are placed between
Peterson in his third report in search of Sanskrit the 5th and 12th centuries A.D.
MSS. The present volume gives a critical edition As the history of Vaishnavism in the South is of the text. As for the commentary, now pub. necessarily the story of the Twelve Alwêrs, the Jished for the first time, there are inany lacuna. remaining lectures are naturally devoted to a Discussing the date of the author, the learned critical examination of them. The crucial names editor has come to the following conclusions (1) for historical purposes among the Alwars are those That Vamana, the author of the present work,
That VAMANA. + of the Alwar Kulasekhara and Nam Alwâr, and
which quotes Magha and Bapabhatta, is most pro. the second and third lectures are respectivelybably identical with the author of the Kasika and devoted to these two names. The usual date with the author of Kdvydlankarastravrtti which for Kulasekhara is the 12th or even 13th century
quotes verses from the works of Mågha, Bhavabhati, A.D., but Professor Krishnaswami Aiyangar argues and Bhattanåråvana and which was quoted that the true period is more likely to be the 10th by Anandavardhana (about 857-84 A.D.). (2) That century. Some space is given to his identifica- this Jaina or Buddhist Kashmirian scholar was tion, a matter obviously bearing on his date, and identical with the Vamana who, according to Kal. finally he is placed 7th in the chronological order hana, was one of the learned ministers of king Jaya. of the Alwars.
pida of Kashmir (776-807 A. D.). (3) That he left More legend has grown around the name of Nam Kashmir, most probably on account of the oppres. Alwar (really & nickname arising out of his popu. sion of the king (as described in the Rajataranging larity and the reverence felt for him, and meaning IV. 634-7) and went to the court of Jagattunga
Our Alwar') than round that of any other, and (the Rashtrakata king Govinda III. 794-818 A. D.). for serveral reasons of belief he is popularly placed for he gives Jagattunga-aabhd as an example in the last of all. This position the book strongly 9th Karika of the present work and mentione controverts, taking up the arguments in support the name of a village Bribhavana, which occurs of it one by one and critically examining them. also in the Vani Dindori and Radhanpur plates The old authority. Vedanta Défika, placue him of the same king.
