Prasamrati Prakarana

Author(s): Umaswati, Umaswami, Mahesh Bhogilal, V M Kulkarni
Publisher: Nita M Bhogilal & Others

Page 11

vii
Translator's Preface
The translator is deeply aware of his limitations on a number of grounds. Firstly, he has little knowledge of Sanskrit without which it is well nigh impossible to understand the profound and varied meaning of the various couplets in this book. Secondly, his knowledge of the subject itself is poor. However, on the positive side is his deep and abiding interest in trying to learn what the subject is about and of course there was the benefit of having great saints, who would be close to experiencing some of the truths of this book, translate it in the vernacular, and go over the English translation, to ensure that the essence is not lost.
From this understanding or rather from this translation into the vernacular, which was done orally by the Saints the translator has tried to put English words to the same, which were gone over by Pūjya Muni Śrī. Tattvānandavijayajī and Pūjya Muni Śrī Jambūvijayajī. In trying to do this, the emphasis has been in capturing the meaning and the spirit behind the meaning. Therefore, in many instances there is not an absolute literal sticking to the original words. Those who do know Sanskrit are well aware how difficult it is to translate Sanskrit into English, some of the concepts do not exist at all in English for one, and secondly, the construction of English is so very different from that of Sanskrit. Therefore, the translator has retained in the translation certain Sanskrit words, although he has tried his best to render them in English. But knowing very well that this English equivalent would be inadequate, these words have been retained so that the reader who knows Sanskrit as well as English would be in a better position to 'feel' what the author has been trying