Book Title: Mriga Pakshi Shastra
Author(s): Hamsadeva, M Sundaracharya
Publisher: V Krishnaswamy

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Page 3
________________ Note IN the 13th Century A.D. Zoclogy or the Science of animals and birds, was first composed 80 extensively, in India by the famous Jain Puet, Hamsadeva in Sanskrit Language comprising nearly 1700 Slokas in Anushtup metre. Before this, this kind of work could never be found in India as far as I have seen, anve "Varahamihira" in which Auch, description giveri, is not so extensively as this, but very briefly in respect of all animate objects, as well,a few of the inanimate objects-- Mountains and the like--- I think, it is not out of place and exaggeration if I an permitted to sly-that a few authors of the Western Countries--- Messrs A.D). Imma, M.A., D. Sc., and Alexander Macalister, M.D., and others, huve fully described the natural qualities etc., fo Lions and a few other animals; but, none of them have given age liinit of animals and birds. It is, therefore, very gratifying to say that. IIarnsadeva has given age limit to all animals and birds even to hen and other smaller birds. It is also complimentury to note with unbounded joy th:ut this Zoology is a 125391 to Indiv-in whigh country this work in myself are born--n:ly, it is a gern to be adorned by the other parts of the worll. The opportunity given to the said Jain Poet for writing this Science is very well described in pages 1 and 2 of this work. The original work was about to disappear from this world; when Pandit Sreeman Vijayaraghavachariar (Epigraphiet,) who has the broad mindedness to see its translation and original text published broad-cast in India and other parts of the world, saved it from its death and supplied copies of the original text (in manuscript) to His Highness The Maharaja of Travancore for the use of the State Museum and to Dr. Caseywood of McGill University of Montreal city

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