SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Rajpal and Sons
• By: Acharya Chatursen (Author)
• Binding :Hardcover
• Language : Hindi
• Edition :2017
• Pages: 448 pages
• Size : 20 x 14 x 4 cm
  
• ISBN-10: 8170282829
• ISBN-13 :9788170282822
  

DESCRIPTION: 

'वैशाली की नगरवधू' एक क्लासिक उपन्यास है जिसकी गणना हिन्दी के सर्वश्रेष्ठ उपन्यासों में की जाती है। इस उपन्यास के संबंध में इसके लेखक आचार्य चतुरसेन जी ने कहा था: "मैं अब तक की अपनी सारी रचनाओं को रद्द करता हूं और 'वैशाली की नगरवधू को अपनी एकमात्र रचना घोषित करता हूँ।" 'वैशाली की नगरवधू' में आज से ढाई हज़ार वर्ष पूर्व के भारतीय जीवन का एक जीता-जागता चित्र अंकित हैं। उपन्यास का मुख्य चरित्र है-स्वाभिमान और दर्प की साक्षात् मूर्ति] लोक-सुन्दरी अम्बपाली] जिसे बलात् वेश्या घोषित कर दिया गया था, और जो आधी शताब्दी तक अपने युग के समस्त भारत के सम्पूर्ण राजनीतिक और सामाजिक जीवन का केन्द्र-बिन्दु बनी रही। उपन्यास में मानव-मन की कोमलतम भावनाओं का बड़ा हृदयहारी चित्रण हुआ है। यह श्रेष्ठ रचना अब अपने अभिवन रूप में प्रस्तुत है।

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Rajpal and Sons
• By: Acharya Chatursen (Author)
• Binding :Paperback
• Language : Hindi
• Edition :2020
• Pages: 448 pages
• Size : 20 x 14 x 4 cm
  
• ISBN-10: 9389373344
• ISBN-13 :9789389373349
  

DESCRIPTION: 

'वैशाली की नगरवधू' एक क्लासिक उपन्यास है जिसकी गणना हिन्दी के सर्वश्रेष्ठ उपन्यासों में की जाती है। इस उपन्यास के संबंध में इसके लेखक आचार्य चतुरसेन जी ने कहा था: "मैं अब तक की अपनी सारी रचनाओं को रद्द करता हूं और 'वैशाली की नगरवधू को अपनी एकमात्र रचना घोषित करता हूँ।" 'वैशाली की नगरवधू' में आज से ढाई हज़ार वर्ष पूर्व के भारतीय जीवन का एक जीता-जागता चित्र अंकित हैं। उपन्यास का मुख्य चरित्र है-स्वाभिमान और दर्प की साक्षात् मूर्ति] लोक-सुन्दरी अम्बपाली] जिसे बलात् वेश्या घोषित कर दिया गया था, और जो आधी शताब्दी तक अपने युग के समस्त भारत के सम्पूर्ण राजनीतिक और सामाजिक जीवन का केन्द्र-बिन्दु बनी रही। उपन्यास में मानव-मन की कोमलतम भावनाओं का बड़ा हृदयहारी चित्रण हुआ है। यह श्रेष्ठ रचना अब अपने अभिवन रूप में प्रस्तुत है।

This volume explores the delicate subject of gender and religion with honesty and clarity focusing on one of mankind's earliest and most textually-rich religious traditions: Vaishnavism, Steven J. Rosen has brought together eight essays by leading academics, poets and practitioners, who shed light on the lives and teachings of specific female saints throughout history. This book also examine the general priciples regarding the worship of Krishna and how such principles impact on the lives of both men and women.

"This is a scholarly book on one of the oldest living relgions of India. Tracing the basic tenets of Vaisnavism to the hymns of Rgveda the earliest religious literature of the world, the author has shown how an ancient cult has developed itself by successive stages into a well formulated monotheistic system in the hands of Ramanuja and his illustrious followers. In the second part of the book the fundamental philosophical theories of Visistadvaita Vedanta are presented to prove that Vaisnavism is not a mere religious cult, but has a credible philosophic foundation. In the third part of the book the distinctive theological doctrines of Vaisnavism are discussed thoroughly on the basis of original sources. Among the basic doctrines covered are: Visnu as Supreme diety, Visnu as inseparably related to goddess Sri, Visnu and His Attributes, Visnu and His Incarnations, Visnu as the supreme goal of life and Prapatti as the means of attaining Visnu. The religious discipline and ethical values which constitute an important feature of Vaisnavism are treated in the fourth part of the book. This volume makes available for the first time in English a comprehensive account of Vaisnavism.

Review:

“The books by S.M. Srinivasa Chari fills the relative lack of good, authentic English books on Vaisnavism. ...The book has an excellent glossary, an index, and a good bibliography.”–SWAMI SUNIRMALANANDA, The Vedanta Kesari, August, 1996

“This is a scholarly work on the philosophical theology and religious discipline of Vaisnavism. Dr. Chari substantiates his claim that Vaisnavism is both philosophy and religion with reference to its Upani|adic base.”–K. KUNJUNNI RAJA, The Adyar Library Bulletin, 1994

“Srinivasa Chari has done a good job, tracing the historical development of Vaisnavism right from the monotheism of Rgveda... . Precision and erudition mark Srinivasa Chari’s exposition of the Absolute Brahman as the adorable God of religion, the nature of the individual soul, and the doctrine of cosmic matter.”–C.S. RAMAKRISHNAN, The Hindu, August, 1995

“Dr. Srinivasa Chari’s exposition of Vaisnavism is conditioned, admittedly, by the knowledge of the essentials imparted to him by his spiritual preceptor, the late Sri Gostipuram Sowmya Narayanacharya.”–The Book Review, December, 1995"

About the Book:

Vaisnavism : Contemporary Scholars Discuss the Gaudiya Tradition focuses on an ancient religious heritage in the light of modern scholarship. Though a series of lively conversations, Steven J. Rosen and twenty-five distinguished academics explore the many sides of Gaudiya Vaisnavism - its literature, historical development, theology and practice. Thoughtful and indeed illuminating perspectives emerge as the scholars reveal insights gained from years of research. In discussing subjects such as the nature of the Absolute, devotional poetry, sacred space, mystical states and sonic theology, the abundant beauty and profundity of this venerable East Indian tradition is brought to light.

"Steven Rosen has brought together an overview of a highly technical subject as interpreted by acknowledged experts in the field, thus informing further the already informed and, it is to be hoped, stimulating the uninformed to inform themselves of a highly rewarding system of thought and instructive slice of religious history."

- from the Foreword by Edward C. Dimock, Jr.,
University of Chicago

This important study presents a comprehensive and critical survey of Vaisnava-Bhakti movements through the ages; its vedic origin, medieval evolution and modern trends in India. The learned author acquaints readers with numerous hidden, symbolic meanings behind anthropomorphic form of Vishnu, his incarnations, Radha, devotee, methods of worship and the siddhis a devotee secures through Bhakti-yoga.

It brings into light the philosophies of Ramanuja (Visistadavaitavada), Vallabha (Suddhadvaitavada), Nimbarka (Dvaitadvaitavada), Namadeva, Tukaram, Kabir, Chaitanyadeva, Tulsidasa, Mirabai, Sankaradeva, Mahadeva and his successors. This monotheistic research on Vishnu is based on ancient Sanskrit scriptures and throws a search light on obscure, hidden, symbolic, philosophical, psychological and historical meanings behind Vedic and Puranic stories and legends.

About the Author : Late Shri Rabindra Kumar Siddhantashastree (1911-1983) had all along an extraordinary brilliant academic career. Besides being a Premchand Roychand scholar (Calcutta, 1955) he is a holder of five Tirtha and seven Shastree titles and was lecturer in the department of Ancient Indian History and Culture, Calcutta University before his sad demise. He is an author of a number of valuable and thought-provoking books which will keep his name alive in the word of scholars of Indian religions. His contributions to human knowledge are Saivism Through the Ages (1975) History of Pre-Kaliyuga India (1978).

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Chaukhamba Subharati Prakashan
• By : Shri Sitaram Shastri and Prof. Bala Shastri Shri Guruprasad Shastri
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : Sanskrit
• Edition : 2012
• Pages : 1761
• ISBN-10 ‏: ‎938148418X
• ISBN-13 ‏: ‎978-9381484180

Specification:

• Publisher : Chaukhamba Surbharati Prakashan
• By : Shri Sitaram Shastri, Prof. Bala Shastri & Shri Guruprasad Shastri
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : Sanskrit
• Edition : 2012
• Pages : 1671
• ISBN-10 : 938148418X
• ISBN-13 : 978-9381484180

Description:

Wonhyo (617-686 A.D.) was the dominant figure in the history of Korean Buddhism and one of the most influential thinkers in the Korean philosophical traditio. He was also a prolific writer, whose works cover the gamut of Indian and Sinitic Buddhist materials. Wonhyo's Exposition of the Vajrasamadhi-Sutra is one the finest examples of a scriptural commentary ever written in the East Asian Buddhist tradition. The Exposition is the longest of Wonhyo's extant works and is widely regarded as his masterpiece. His commentary is especially important for understanding the crucial role that the notion of the inherence of enlightenment played in the development of East Asian Buddhist thought and the ways in which this notion influenced Buddhist meditative practice. This book is one of the first attempts to translate the complete text of an indigenous East Asian Buddhist sutra commentary into English. The translator has deliberately chosen to err on the side of literalness in order to convey the substance and flavor of the text. In order to help guide the reader through the labyrinth of interlocking sections that make up Wonhyo's Exposition, he has superimposed an outline schem over his translation of Wonhyo's text.

Specification:

• Product Code: BK11559
• Publisher     :   Motilal Banarsidass Publishers
• Edition  :   January 1, 2011
• Pages  :   424
• Weight   :   680 gm.
• Size   :   8.6 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Cover   :   Hardcover
• Auther :   Robert E. Buswell Jr.
• Language   :    English
• ISBN: 812083500X, 978-8120835009

Vali, Sugreeva and Hanuman have key roles in Valmiki's famous epic, Ramayana. They were the offspring of indra, king of the devas, Surya, the sun-god, and Pavana, the wind-god respectively, taking birth in the mokey tribe to help Vishnu when he was manifest on earth as Rama to destroy the evil Ravana.

Vali became the king of Kishkindha. He loved sugreeva, his brother. But a misunderstanding separated them and they became sworn enemies. Banished from Kishkindha, Sugreeva went to the Rishyamuka Mountains and lived in hiding there. One day, Rama came there in search of Sita, his wife, who had been carried away by Ravana. The events that followed are interestingly retold in our book.

SPECIFICATION:

Publisher : Sahithi Prachuranalu
By : Bhunavana Chandra
Cover : Paperback
Language : Telugu
Edition : 2005
Pages : 264
Weight : 150 g.
Size : 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
ASIN: B01GV6F9W0

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Bhakti Vikas Trust
• By : H H Bhakti Vikas Swami
• Cover : Hardcover
• Language : Gujarati
• Edition : 2013
• Pages : 600
• Weight : 750 g.
• Size : 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• ISBN-10: 9382109161
• ISBN-13: 978-9382109167

DESCRIPTION:

Countless eons ago, when men and animals could converse together and powerful brahmanas would effect miracles, the uncontrollable demon rävaëa was terrorizing the universe. The ramayana records the adventures of räma-the lord of righteousness-as he struggles to overcome the forces of rävaëa. This absorbing narration has delighted and enlightened countless generations in india, and its timeless spiritual insights are compellingly relevant in

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : ‎ Bhakti Vikas Trust
• By : H H Bhakti Vikas Swami
  
• Cover : Hardcover
  
• Language : Gujarati
  
• Edition : 2013
  
• Pages : ‎600 pages
  
• Weight : 500 gm
  
• ISBN-10 : 9382109161
  
• ISBN-13 : 978-9382109167
  

DESCRIPTION:

Countless eons ago, when men and animals could converse together and powerful brahmanas would effect miracles, the uncontrollable demon Rävaëa was terrorizing the universe. The Ramayana records the adventures of Räma—the Lord of righteousness—as He struggles to overcome the forces of Rävaëa. This absorbing narration has delighted and enlightened countless gener ations in India, and its timeless spiritual insights are compellingly relevant in today’s confused world.

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Rajpal and Sons
• By : Valmiki
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : Hindi
• Edition : 2011
• Pages : 160
• Weight : 250 gm
• Size : 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• ISBN-10: 8170284902
• ISBN-13: 978-8170284901

DESCRIPTION:

वाल्मीकि रामायण विश्व साहित्य की उन चुनिंदा अनुभूतियों में से है जिसे बच्चे जितने चाव से सुनते हैं, उतनी ही जिज्ञासा से दार्शनिक भी पढते हैं। मर्यादा पुरुषोत्तम श्रीराम के जीवनचरित के माध्यम से रामायण जीवन के हर पहलू को छूती है। बुराई पर अच्छाई की जीत इसका मुख्य संदेश है, लेकिन उससे बढ़कर यह बताती है कि अपने कर्तव्यों का पालन करते हम किस प्रकार एक मर्यादित और संतुलित जीवन जिया जा सकता है। हजारों साल पहले लिखी होने के बावजूद यह आज भी प्रासंगिक है। मूल रूप से संस्कृत में लिखी रामायण का यह सरल हिंदी रूपांतरण है।

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Orient Publication
• By : Dr. Ramachandra Varma Shastri
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : Hindi
• Edition : 2012
• Pages : 395
• Weight : 544 gm
• Size : 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• ISBN-10 : 812220466X
• ISBN-13 : 978-8122204667

DESCRIPTION:

Ramayana is one of India's oldest and greatest epics, telling the tale of Prince Rama, an avatar of the Hindu deity Lord Vishnu. The book was primarily written in the form of 24,000 verses and narrates the journey of Rama and his quest to find his wife Sita who was kidnapped by the Demon-king Ravana and taken to Lanka.
The thematic elements in the saga include many important topics such as the notion of dharma, the ideal king, the ideal brother, the ideal wife, friendship and vengeance. The epic is highly engrossing and features many notable characters such as Hanuman, Laxman and Kumbhakarna.
Ramayana, despite being scripted centuries ago, holds up as a gripping and invigorating tale of love and friendship. The story covers numerous moral and ideological dilemmas and is an ideal read for people of all ages. 

Specification:

• Publisher : Indica Books
• By : Jagmohan Mahajan
• Cover : Paperback
• Edition : May 30, 2008
• Pages : 90
• Weight : 1600 g.
• Size : 17.3 x 11.4 x 0.6 inches
• Language : English
• ISBN-10 : 8186569715
• ISBN-1 3: 978-8186569719
• Product Code : BK14271

Description:

Form the Jacket

One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and the holiest in India. Varanasi has attracted pilgrims from all over India for over 2500 years. No account of the travels of Indian visitors and pilgrims to the city, however, is available because of the non-existence of the tradition of recording impressions of such visits by Indians

Nor is there any record of foreign travelers visiting Varanasi until four centuries ago. It was then that travelers form the West started visiting Varanasi on a regular basis, and left animated accounts their visit. Later a number of landscape artists, almost entirely from Britain, began coming to India towards the end of the eighteenth century, and made superb sketches of Varanasi when they visited the city.

The views of Varanasi by the visiting landscape artists gave not only the outside word but also the Indians themselves the first ever visual impression of the scenic splendours of the holy city,. Until then so such visual record existed because of the lack of the genre of landscape painting in an otherwise rich Indian art.

Assembled from public and private art collections in India and abroad, these views are now being published together, along with a short survey of travelers;' accounts of their visit to Varanasi, for the first time.

About the Author

Jagmohan Mahajan has written extensively on British landscape artists in India as also on Ganga. His publications include Picturesque India: Sketches and Travels of Thomas and William Daniell. The Raj Landscape: British Views of Indian Cities and the Ganga Trail: Foreign Accounts of the River Scene.

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Maple Press
• By : Munshi Premchand
• Cover : Paperback
• Language : English
• Edition : 2015
• Pages : 184
• Weight : 250 g.
• Size : 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 inches
• ISBN-10: 9350336588
• ISBN-13: 978-9350336588

DESCRIPTION:

Premchand's literary career started as a freelancer in Urdu. In his initial short stories, he has depicted the patriotic upsurge that was sweeping the country in the first decade of the 19th century and wrote of the life around him and made his readers aware of the problems of the urban middle-class and the country's villages.

This is a popular novel by Premchand. Virjan is a beautiful woman who begins to live with her relatives after the sudden demise of her parents. Her distant cousin starts loving her due to the childhood attachment. Virjan being unaware of this fact gets married into a good household. Virjan’s husband Kamlacharan, who is accustomed to jolly and luxurious lifestyle, falls for Virajan’s ethereal beauty. However, Kamlacharan dies in an accident and later when Virjan comes to know that Pratap loved her, she becomes sad…

SPECIFICATION

• Publisher : StoryMirror Infotech
  
• By : Alpa Vasa (અલ્પા વસા)
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : Gujarati
  
• Edition : 2017
  
• Pages : 125
  
• Weight : 150 gm.
  
• Size : 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
  
• ISBN-10 : 9386305720
  
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-9386305725

DESCRIPTION:

“વાર્તાલ્પ” ૩૦ લઘુ વાર્તાઓનો સંગ્રહ. એમની વાર્તાઓ જે જીંદગીમાં ખૂબ જ જરૂરી અને વિચારકરતી શીખ, માર્ગદર્શન પૂરક છે. લગભગ દરેક વાર્તાઓ આપણી આજુબાજુ બનતી ઘટનાઓથી પ્રેરિત છે. પરિસ્થિતિ, અવલોકન, અને અનુભવોનો નિચોડ, છતાં કાલ્પનિક પાત્રોની રજૂઆત એ “વાર્તાલ્પ.” સ્ત્રી સશક્તિકરણ અને સન્નમાન દરેક વાર્તાઓનો મધ્યવર્તી વિષય જે હંમેશા લેખિકાના હ્દયની ખૂબ નજીક રહ્યો છે. લેખિકા સંસ્કૃત ભાષાની શિક્ષિકા છે. તેથી તેઓએ દરેક ભાષાની જનની એવી સંસ્કૃત ભાષાના શબ્દ સમુહ અને ઉદાહરણ લીધા છે. નવા યુગને અનુરૂપ વાર્તાનું ઘડતર કર્યું છે. “વાર્તાલ્પ” માં અનુભવને શબ્દ દેહ આપી, હ્દય સ્પર્શી, લાગણી સભર વાર્તાઓનો સંગ્રહ તૈયાર કર્યો છે. લેખિકા વિશે ટૂંકમાં, લેખિકા ખૂબ જ લાગણી સભર ચિત્રકાર છે. તેમના ચિત્રો અને વાર્તાઓ રોજબરોજની પ્રેરણા, ઘટના અને અનુભવો પ્રેરિત છે. અલ્પાની લેખન યાત્રાની શરૂઆત “કાવ્યાલ્પ” કાવ્ય/ કવિતાઓના સંગ્રહથી થઈ. “કાવ્યાલ્પ” ને નોંધપાત્ર પ્રશંસા, ઈનામો અને પ્રણામપત્રો મળ્યા છે. અલ્પાનું લખાણ અલગ અલગ માધ્યમો દ્વારા પ્રકાશિત થયું છે. ડીજીટલ/ ઓનલાઈન પ્લેટફોર્મ દ્વારા તેમ જ કવિ સંમેલન, મુશાયરા, સ્પર્ધાઓમાં, ઘણી સંસ્થાઓ ને ટ્રસ્ટ દ્વારા પણ અલ્પા વસાને પુરસ્કાર, સન્માનપત્ર, પ્રમાણપત્ર પ્રાપ્ત થયા છે.

SPECIFICATION:

• Publisher : Rajpal and Sons
• By:  Narendra Kohli (Author)
• Binding : Paperback
• Language : Hindi
• Edition :2017
• Pages: 136 pages
• Size : 20 x 14 x 4 cm
  
• ISBN-10: 9386534142
• ISBN-13 :9789386534149
  

DESCRIPTION: 

2017 में ‘पद्मश्री’ और 2012 में ‘व्यास सम्मान’ से नवाज़े गये नरेन्द्र कोहली की गणना हिन्दी के प्रमुख साहित्यकारों में होती है। 1947 के बाद रचित हिन्दी साहित्य में उनका योगदान अमूल्य है। उन्होंने प्राचीन महाकाव्यों को आधुनिक पाठकों के लिए गद्य रूप में लिखने का एक नया चलन शुरू किया और पुराणों पर आधारित अनेक साहित्यिक कृतियाँ रचीं। नरेन्द्र कोहली ने अपनी चिरपरिचित छवि से हटकर वरुणपुत्री की रचना की है। इसमें पौराणिक कथाएँ, इतिहास, समकालीन घटनाएँ, कल्पित विज्ञान-कथा और फ़ैंटेसी का एक अद्भुत ताना-बाना रचा है। इसकी कथा वस्तु का फ़लक इतना व्यापक है कि इसमें उन्होंने धरती के सभी देशों के अतिरिक्त अन्य ग्रहों और आकाश गंगा को भी सम्मिलित किया है। राजनीति, पर्यावरण सुरक्षा, विश्व-शांति को समेटे हुए यह कथा समय और भूगोल की सारी सीमाओं को लाँघती ही चली जाती है और पाठक आनन्द और विस्मय भरी इस रचना में डुबकी के बाद डुबकी लगाता रहता है। तोड़ो कारा तोड़ो, वासुदेव, साथ सहा गया दुख, हत्यारे, अभिज्ञान और आतंक उनकी अन्य लोकप्रिय पुस्तकें हैं।

Specification:

• Publisher : Vakils Feffer & Simons
  
• by : Jayandra Soni
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : English
  
• Edition : 2001
  
• Pages : 224
  
• Weight : 950 gm.
  
• Size : 10.7 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
  
• ISBN-10: 8187111518
  
• ISBN-13: 978-8187111511

Description:

Vasantagauravam is a collection of fifteen essays on the many facets of Jaina philosophy, and its practice, particularly in South India, between the second and the thirteenth century. Drawing from archaeological findings and ancient texts, it covers a range of topics – from Ajitasenacarya’s status in the sect, to the patronage extended by the Kasamba, Calukya and Hoysala dynasties, to the rise of women ascetics in the Jaina tradition. Furthermore, it looks west, and studies the occidental scholar’s perception of Jain thought. With its objective analyses and valuable insights, the book is certain to enthrall spiritualists and seekers.

Specification:

• Publisher : Kaivalyadhama
  
• by : Swami digambarji (Author), Pitambar Jha (Author), Shri Gyan Shankar Sahay (Author)
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : English
  
• Edition : 1984
  
• Pages : 100
  
• Weight : 360 gm.
• ISBN-10: 818948527X
  
• ISBN-13: 978-8189485276

Description:

Specification:

• Publisher : Kaivalyadhama
  
• by : Swami Maheshananda (Author), Dr B R Sharma (Author), G S Sahay (Author), Shri R K Bodhe (Author)
  
• Cover : Paperback
  
• Language : English
  
• Edition : 2005
  
• Pages : 307
  
• Weight : 450 gm.
  
• Size : 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
  
• ISBN-10: 8189485377
  
• ISBN-13: 978-8189485375

Description:

Foreword:

I deem it a privilege and also my duty to write a foreword for D. N. Shukla's book on Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting which forms Vol. IX of the Bharatiya Vastu- sastra Series. Dr. Shukla himself planed out the series and he has already published five volumes of it. Of these as many as four are in Hindi, the fifth one on Hindu Canons of Painting being in English. This shows the bulk and magnitude of the work already done by him and he intends to follow it up by bringing out Volumes on Hindu Canons of Architecture, which will constitute the remainder of the series. It has been possible for this comparatively young scholar to do so much work of this highly technical character for he has combined in him a very intimate knowledge of Sanskrit with a first hand experience about the architectural, iconographic and pictorial remains of ancient and medieval India. This is a combination rarely to be found among scholars engaged in the pursuit of similar studies, and I am sure he will be able to throw much further light on this branch of Indology. I have long been acquainted with the progress of his work and I can say without any hesitation that he has all along been sincere and conscientious in his scholarly researches. His treatment of the carious topics connected with his subject has always been critical and his appraisal of the views of previous writers has been fair and just. I have no doubt that the Government of the Uttar Pradesh and the Government of the Indian Union will extend to him their full patronage in the matter of the publication of his further researches.

It should be emphasized in this connection that he is not only advancing the bounds of our knowledge in this fascinating branch of Indology but he is also enriching the technical side of Hindi literature by writing many of these books in the Rashtrabhasha.

In fine I can only observe that the present work on the Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting is one of considerable merit and I am sure it will receive attention and appreciation from the world of scholars which it so thoroughly deserves.

Introduction

This work-Vastusastra Vols. I & II –Vol. II being published first, originally conceived as one of the series of a ten-to-fourteen-volume- project, under the general caption ‘Bharatiya Vastusastra' instituted by me some years back, can now be said, a complete English version of my D.Litt. Thesis-"Foundations and Canons of Hindu Iconography (both sculptural and pictorial)"-the two parts i. e. Canons of Icono- graphy (I) and Canons of Painting (III) wherein could also be sub- mitted, along with my already published works -.Pratima-vijnana, Pratima-laksana and Citra-laksana.

The author, primarily a student of Vastu-sastra, when got enchanted with this fascinating lore of Silpa-sastra, has to say a word on the wide scope of Vastu-sastra where Silpa-sastra, the science of sculpture, and the canons of painting (the Citra-sastra) are also included in its broader purview.

Introduction:

This book is Hindu Canons of Engineering and Architecture though first in the series of my research publications in English is seeing the light of the day after the Vastu Sastra Vol II. Hindu Canons of Iconography and Painting had already been presented to the scholarly world more than a year back. Both these Volumes have for their nuclei my Doctoral Theses Ph. D and D. Litt. In this way this Volume may be said to have come out after a long interval.

A study of Bhoja's Samarangana-Sutradhara a treatise on the science of architecture was submitted as my Ph. D thesis some six years back. I was very much encouraged by the glowing tributes to this thesis being acclaimed as a pioneer work vide the reports of the examiners appended at the end of this introduction. I therefore set for myself to extend the study from a single text to at least half a dozen representative texts like Visvakarma-prakasa, Aparajita-prccham and Silparatna. Naturally this very ambitious undertaking needed some more concentrated time the availability of which has been a very distant hope for the last so many years as I have been busy not only with D. Litt. Researches but also with my research publication I Hindi as well, with the then (1954-56) vice-Chancellor of Lucknow University took great fancy in my theses on account of their high merit and higher tributes and recommended their publication to the U. G. C. which sanctioned a grant for Rs. 6000 for the publication of my theses. Prof. Iyer the next Vice-Chancellor also agreed to recommend for some more help towards the completion of work. Hence a further subsidy of Rs. 4000 enabled me to undertake the publication of this volume also. Both these Volumes in a way may be said to complete the grand edifice of Vastu- sastra, which is not only the science of architecture engineering but also that of sculpture and painting. Accordingly all these three broad divisions of Vastu Sastra, namely Vastu, Silpa and Citra have been surveyed in both these Volumes.

The Vastu i.e. architecture being the subject matter of the first Volume and Silpa and Citra that of the second. Further again Vastu I its wider application has at least five principal branches namely Engineering, Town planning, Secular or civil architecture, Palace-architecture and Temple-architecture. It is in accordance with these broad topics of Vastu Sastra that this Volume has been divided into five principal parts namely Introductory, Town-planning, House-architecture and Temple-architecture.