A Catalogue of Sanskrit and Prakrit Manuscripts in Maharaja Mansingh Pustak Prakash at Fort Jodhpur - Part 2 (An Old and Rare Book)

The Catalogue of the Hindi and Rajasthani Manuscripts preserved in Maharaja Mansingh Pustak Prakash was published in the year 1981-82. Since then the compilation of the Catalogue of Sanskrit works has been under preparation. I am glad that it is now complete. This collection of Manuscripts include some very rare and unpublished Sanskrit works which are being introduced to the scholarly world through this Catalogue for the very first time.

On examination of this collection it will be found that some revealing commentaries and copies of important works have been added from time to time by contemporary authorities who enjoyed patronage of the Rulers of Jodhpur, who not only preserved but also perpetuated Sanskrit learning for posterity.

The Manuscript library is now open to scholars and arrangements can be made to assist them in their research work. I hope more and more scholars will be attracted towards the study of our literary and cultural heritage preserved here in the form of these Manuscripts and old documents.

I thank Pandit Kalu Ram Ji and Dr. Kshirsagar who have worked diligently in compilation of this Catalogue. I also thank Dr. Narayan Singh Bhati, the Hon. Director of Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Prakash whose experienced supervision and advice made this accomplishment possible.

I have great pleasure in introducing the second part of the Catalogue of Manuscripts, preserved in the Maharaja Man Singh Pustak Prakash. This part includes details of 3721 Sanskrit and Prakrit works on different subjects (The details about Hindi-Rajasthani Manuscripts have already been published in the first part) and has been prepared on the basis of the principles laid down by the famous scholar Dr. V. Raghvan and the proforma approved by the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India.

A reading of this catalogue will reveal that the collection includes many important original works, as well as commentaries which have been written by eminent authors, under the patronage of the Rulers of Jodhpur. Among these manuscripts, there are half a dozen original epic poems, namely Ajit Charitra (3106/483). Ajitodaya (3108/484), Bheem Prabandha (3125/3067), Abhoyodaya Maha Kavya (3109/3059), Veer Virudaveli (3220/595-A) and Man Bhaskrodaya Champu (3259/558). These epics have mostly been written by contemporaries of the subject Rulers and hence have a great historical value. Out of these we have already published the Ajitodaya Maha Kavya, along with its summary in English and the necessary indexes. Apart from these bulky narrative poems there are interesting poems on Tej Singh, Man Singh and Vijey Singh written by different authors, showing the achievements of these personalities and an appreciation of their character, bravery and love for the country.

**Contents and Sample Pages**