Valmiki Ramayana: Prefaces to the Text

Foreword

Valmiki Ramayana, edited by Prof. Gaspare Gorresio, is as fascinating the its beautiful typography as it is scholarly in its Prefaces and Notes. Prof. Gorresio occupied the first chair for Sanskrit in Italy, at the University of Turin.

This, the first complete printed edition of the "Poem of India", was published at Paris during 1843-67. The Indian Heritage Trust completes its self-chosen task of reprinting this edition of Ramayana with the publication of this volume of Preface by Prof. Gorresio translated for the first time. We are grateful to Prof. Oscar Botto, the present successor of Prof. Gorresio in the Sanskrit Chair at the University of Turin, who has translated these prefaces from Italian into English at the request of the Trust.

The facsimile reprint of this edition of Valmiki Ramayana has been welcomed by scholars and laymen who have been charmed not only by the elegance of the edition buy by the different readings as well. The learned reviewer of the volumes in THE HINDU observed that this edition was based on an ancient text. It seems, that of all the recensions, this one reissued by the Trust is the closest to the original.

I take this opportunity to thank Dr. S.S. Janaki, Director, Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Madras for her keen interest in the work of the Indian Heritage Trust. She has gone through this volume with care, offering her advice and suggestions, placing the Trust under a deep debt of gratitude.

Further, I wish to thank all those who have extended their generous help in this task as also the staff and management of All India Press for their wholehearted co-operation in undertaking this great work and completing it so superbly.

V.SADANAND