Basics of Manuscripitology and an Entrance to Medical Manuscripts

About the Book Oral transmission was the most popular mode of knowledge diffusion in ancient India. Veda handed down from generation to generation through the media of oral transmission. Separated by time and place the art of writing emerged. One of the vital tasks in the study of manuscripts is to bring together the manuscripts. If not, they may be lost. Manuscripts are having connection between past and present. Sanskrit was most popular medium in ancient India and such works represents many sided aspects of cognition. So, it is necessary to preserve them. Manuscriptology is a special are in Ayurveda, because all Ayurveda literature are written in Sanskrit language. All the manuscriptology knowledge right from collection, conservation, digitization leads towards the critical edition. So, to explore the hidden or unknown facts the manuscriptological rules regulations need to be acquainted by the Ayurveda scholars. Critical edition in India is falling back. It is evident because most of the scholars-have no proper training neither guidance. On the other side manuscriptolgy has taken a set back with decline in interest and study of ancient manuscripts. The present book covers the topics such as - Introduction to manuscriptology to its estimation covering different stages involved in manuscriptology. Such as collection, conservation, digitization to that of critical edition and publication covering various scripts, scribal errors, problems faced in critical edition of the texts, research articles and indological journals. Manuscriptology is unique and Ayurveda scholars having knowledge of manuscriptology are very minimal and increase in number of these scholars is the need of the hour. The aim of this text is to make the research scholars to master the field of manuscriptology and its stages, which can fulfill the needs of beginner, research scholars and academic professionals.

About the Author He is a post graduate in Samhita from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore. He is the son of Vaidya Mayur. P. Vaidya and Smt. Jajyalakshmi born at Haveri. He has rendered his service as a teacher in Samhita & Siddhanta in various reputed colleges and has been instrumental in successfully initiating many learners to study Samhitas and Manuscripts. Since 12 years he is imparting Ayurveda knowledge to UG, PG & Ph.D. students. The articles that he has published in dailies, magazines and journals are a true guide in leading the learners to perfection. Apart from these he is a Manuscriptologist, trained from FRLH.T, Bangalore. He has established a manuscript museum and laboratory in SDM College of Ayurveda, Hassan by collecting more than 800 manuscripts. He is working as In-charge of that manuscripts curative conservation laboratory. His ongoing researches in the area of Manuscriptology suggest his command on the subject. He has inspired many scholars in undertaking Manuscriptology as their research work.

India is rich with abundancy of manuscripts, which are termed as treasure house of ancient knowledge. Among the Indian system of health care such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, Ayurveda stays at topmost position because of its long history and popularity. The knowledge of Ayurveda are documented in different manuscripts like palm leaf, birch bark, tamrapatra and paper etc. Today, the primary, secondary and other various texts of the Ayurveda system available in print form are derived from these manuscripts. It shows the determination and effort of various eminent scholars in the field. Unfortunately there is no detailed and accurate data about the number, extent and distribution of Indian medical manuscripts. On a rough estimation it is known as 1 billion manuscripts are available and among them only 1/10 are traced and among traced only 1/4th publications are from India. So Indian manuscripts those which deal with Ayurveda are in need of identification, preservation and critical edition. These manuscripts contain valuable informations on various aspects of Indian system of health care. Many manuscripts are in different scripts and those scripts are unknown for the scholars. Even if scholars have knowledge of those scripts too, they cannot be easily deciphered because they are written in cryptic style. Apart from it there are many problems such as damage of the manuscript, ignorance of the people and non availability so on. So preservation of manuscripts plays a prime role, so that they can be catalogued and edited to fulfill the knowledge of learned scholars. Apart from this many training programs as well as preparation of appropriate methodology in critical edition of manuscripts need to be stressed from various organizations. Manuscriptology is the topic of current interest for many scholars. Its importance is recognized by the scholars and the member of students taking the subject of manuscriptology for their Post graduation dissertations as well as doctoral thesis studies has gone up. In recent past it has become part of regular syllabus for year PG in Samhita & Siddhant. The present text book named "Basics of nzanuscriptology & An entrance to Medical manuscripts" written by Dr. Shrinath M Vaidya will act as eye opener for a new student of Ayurveda entering in to the field of manuscriptology. It is the out come of his experience in the field of manuscriptology. This text book covers various aspects like history of writing, scripts and manuscripts, manuscript libraries, survey of manuscripts, analytical study of manuscripts and problems faced in critical edition etc. This book will be a great treat to those scholars who really want to acquire knowledge of Basics of manuscriptology and Indian medical manuscripts. This text on manuscriptology is an excellent manual on how to edit and study a medical manuscript. The importance of the work can be seen through dealing of subject matter with ample of examples, appendices and illustrations.

**Contents and Sample Pages**