A Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts in the Sanskrit Sahitya Parishat Kolkata (Volume-3, Dharmasastra Smrirti)- An Old and Rare Book

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We are glad to announce that the Sanskrit Sahitya Parishat, Kolkata, has brought out the Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit MSS. on Dharmasastra or Smriti, which are preserved in its library. In this volume 2710 titles have been included and in most cases these are written in Bengali script, thereby suggesting that these were written or copied in undivided Bengal and its surrounding areas. Some of these MSS are of immense importance as shown by Professor Debabrata Sensharma in his highly learned Introduction. We are also grateful to Prof. Sensharma for thoroughly editing this Volume. MM Madhusudan Vedanta- sastri is above all thanks and gratitude, for he himself has compiled the MSS and prepared the Catalogue. Inspite of his ill health, he has undertaken all types of physical and mental efforts so that Catalogues of MSS on all subjects can be regularly published. The present Catalogue, we think, will enlighten scholars who are studying various works on the Dharmasastra as also those who are engaged in developing the subject popularly known as 'Manuscriptology".

We extend our thanks to Pt. Baidyanath Chatterjee Kavya- Sertanista, Mahacharya (Sahitya) and Professor of our Tol Department and Dr Aruna Bhattacharya of our Library section for assisting in the present publication. Shri Mithu Raksit and Sri Laksman De are also to be thanked for his sincere efforts so that the Volume can the published without delay. Shri Debasish Bhattacarya of Sanskrit Pustak Bhandar has gladly taken the burden of bringing out this voluminous work in a befitting manner. We all wish his long and happy life.

It is my privilege and pleasure to be associated with the laudable project of preparing the Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts on Dharmaśāstra deposited in the Library of Sanskrit Sahitya Parisat, Kolkata undertaken by one of the well-known experts on Sanskrit Manuscripts, Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Madhusudana Chakravarti Vedantaśāstri. He has been serving this nearly century old institution for Oriental studies as Librarian and Keeper of Sanskrit Manuscripts for more than half a century. He has not only looking after the priceless treasure with great care and devotion like father his children, but also has been instrumental in collecting large number of Sanskrit manuscripts and rare books from the houses of traditional Sanskrit pandits from different places in Bengal and Bihar, thereby saved them from perishing. He has take great pains in compiling this valuable Catalogue of Sanskrit manuscripts single handedly and preparing descriptions of as many as 2710 titles on Dharmaśāstra. The earliest manuscript in this collection dates back to 1361 Śaka. Most of the manuscripts are written in Bengali script, only a few them are in Devanagari script, some written on palm leaf too. The literature on Dharmaśāstra is vast and varied which has come down to us from the Vedic period. The origin of the texts on Dharmaśāstra can be traced back to Vedic literature when Grhysūtras, forming Vedanga ("limb") were composed by Vedic sages. Under this class of Vedic literature mention may be made of Aśvalayana Grhyasūtra, Gobhila Grhyasūtra, Bodhayana Grhyasūtra, Apastambiya Grhyasūtra and Manava Grhyasūtra. Grhyaśūtras are encyclopaedic in nature as they depict detailed picture of religious life of devout people in ancient India in the form of detailed instructions for conducting various kinds of rites, daily sacrifices and religious ceremonies.