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Traverses on less trodden patb...
This Ātmabodha (or Alocanä)--a hymn of 33 verses in fluent Sanskrit composed in Śārdula metre is included along with other treatises of Padaanandi in a manuscript known as Padmanandi Pancavimšati. This small work is critically edited with an introduction and accurately translated into English for the first time on the basis of the MS., found in Puộyavijayaji's collection at L. D. Institule of Indology, Ahmedabad under the heading of Ekatvasaptatikādi-Ācārya-Padmanandi křtisan graha, 98 No. 4425/12.
This complete MS. of 33 verses consists of 3 folios (24 B to 26 A). containing 58 lines and 47 to 49 letters to a line. The size of each page is 25.5 x 11,5 cm. It is hand-written in black ink on the hand made paper ( = country paper). Handwriting is very clear and fair, space is left for full-stop (-dapda) after completion of every verse. The MS., seems to be very old (circa 400 years), 'solid in appearance and condition of the MS. is very good. This work is written along with other works of Padmanandi, so, it begins after, the work Siddhastuti in the MS. and it ends with Kştiri yamiha panditottama Sri Padmanandinah. Few mistakes are found here and there. Possible corrections are shown in the bracket with question mark. 23
To speak about this work, it is termed as Ātmabodha-self awareness or Alocanä -self-confession. It seems that the name Alocadā is more popular than Atmabodha. The author himself in the concluding verse. calls it Alocanā.30 An unknown Sanskrit commentator's commentary on this work, ends with it yalocană samăptā.81 This work is also termed as Atmabodha on the basis of the inner current of thought. This Game is more bifitting to this work. There are two currents of thought running throughout the hymn. One is in the form of self-confession of one's own faults and another as in the form of describing the nature of Atman and self-realization. Most of the verses ate devoted to the latter. The author's statement that recitation of this work leads one to the abode of bliss in the concluding verse itself.
28. Published Catalogue. 29. It is very important to mention bere that when we have completed the critical
edition and English translation of this small treatise, the printed book Padmanandi Pancavimsati, with Sanskrit commentary ed, by A. N. Upadhye and H. L. Jaina came to our hand. We have made good use of it in introduction, but we have maintained our own critical reidings, and different readings accepted by
those editors are mentioned in the notes, wherever necessary. 30. Sūreh pankajanandinaḥ kệtimimāmālocanām;-33. 31. Padmanandi-Pancıvimsati-Alocapā-P. 168.
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