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सिरि भूवलय
and needs the boon of a powerful imagination. And, even if the enterprising genius is adequately endowed in all these ways, what immense patience and effort does such a work demand! In terms of time, effort and energy, this must have been a most taxing endeavour. We feel both admiration and gratitude when we realize the magnitude and the complexity of the task that Kumudendu Muni undertook.
Admiration and gratitude are due also to those who preserved this unique composition. The original of this work is not available. But fortunately, a copy which was gifted to Maghanandacharya by Mallikabbe was spared by Time. This copy was treasured by a great scholar. Sri Dharanendra Pandit. It is interesting to recall that, about eighty years ago. Sri Yellappa Sastry was prompted, by his interest in this work to marry the niece of Sri Dharanendra Pandit. Sri Yellappa Sastry subsequently exchanged a manuscript of this work for a pair of gold bangles of his wife. The script contained. 1270 chakras'. This was in 1920. Sri Yellappa Sastry devoted himself to the challenge of this enigmatic treasure. His devoted labour came to the attention of Rashtrapthi Rajendra Prasad who evinced interest in this unique work. Sri Karlamangalam Srikantaiah and Sri K. Ananthasubba Rao joined Sri Yellappa Sastry in this labour of love, and a part of the work was printed in 1953; for the first time this marvellous work came to the notice of scholars and students of culture. It did not contain the table which is, in a sense, the work. On this occasion, we recall with gratitude the dedication displayed by these scholars, Sri Yellappa Sastry, Sri Karlamangalam Srikantaiah and Sri Ananthasubba Rao.
Fortunately we have with us another devoted worker in this cause, Sri M.Y.Dharmapal, the son of Sri Yellappa Sastry. We thank him.
I should like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Publishers, Pustak Shakti Prakashana, and the proprietor of this publishing house, Sri Y.K.Mohan. Sri Mohan has evinced a keen interest not only in bringing out this priceless work but also in decoding the patterns embedded in the work. His team has continued the work which started about three years ago. The fruit of their labour are made available in the present publication. The path of the publisher is beset with numerous hurdles today, and the market for a work of this kind is uncertain. Sri Mohan has taken this up as a labour of love, and I congratulate him. The work has been ably edited, with a scholarly introduction, by one of the foremost scholars of Karnataka, Dr. T.V.Venkatachala Sastry. I congratulate him on his contribution.
What of the future? Lovers of knoweldge from Sri Yellappa Sastry to Dr. Venkatachala Sastry and Sri Y.K.Mohan have made their valuable contribution. It is now for the lovers of the land and of knowledge to ensure that the study of this great work continues. This is a part of our heritage. There is still much to be done in retrieving from this challenging work all that it can give. As yet, we know so little even about the genius, Kumudendu Muni, who composed this work. We are not even certain of his date. The difficult task of decoding the patterns has to be undertaken by scholars. It also needs financial support. Kumudendu Muni belonged to Karnataka and the state is
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