XXIV. A catalogue of Sanscrita manuscripts presented to the Royal Society by Sir William and Lady Jones

Abstract

1. a . Maha'-bha'rata. A poem in eighteen books, exclusive of the part called Raghuvansa ; the whole attributed to Crishna Dwaipáyana Vyása ; with copious notes by Nila-canta . This stupendous work, when perfect, contains upwards of one hundred thousand metrical verses. The main subject is the history of the race of Bhárata , one of the ancient kings of India, from whom that country is said to have derived the name of Bhárata-varsha ; and more particularly that of two of its collateral branches, distinguished by the patronymics, the Cauravas and the Pauravas , (so denominated from two of their ancestors, Curu and Puru ,) and of their bloody contentions for the sovereignty of Bhárata-varsha , the only general name by which the aborigines know the country we call India , and the Arabs and Persians Hind and Hindostan . But, besides the main story, a great variety of other subjects is treated of, by way of introduction and episode. The part entitled Raghu-vansa , contains a distinct history of the race of Crishna . The Mahá-bhárata is so very popular throughout the East, that it has been translated into most of its numerous dialects; and there is an abridgment of it in the Persian language, several copies of which are to be found in our public libraries. The Gitá , which has appeared in an English dress, forms part of this work; but, as it contains doctrines thought too sublime for the vulgar, it is often left out of the text, as happens to be the case in this copy. Its place is in the 6th book, called Bhishma-parva . This copy is written in the character which, by way of pre-eminence, is called Déva-nágari. Lγ J. 1. b . Ditto . Another copy, without notes, written in the character peculiar to the province of Bengal , in which the Brahmans of that country are wont to transcribe all their Sanscrita books. Most of the alphabets of India, though they differ very much in the shape of their letters, agree in their number and powers, and are capable of expressing the Sanscrita , as well as their own particular language. This copy contains the Gitá , in its proper place. Lγ J.