Kanvasatapathabrahmanam (Volume VII)

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It is for the first time that complete critical edition of the Satapatha-brahmana of the Kanva School of hte Sukla Yajurveda along with its English translation is published. This edition has taken into account the readings available in a few more manuscripts, besides those in the published edition in Telugu script, which were not available to Prof. Caland who brought out a critical edition of its first sevenr Kandas. It is also the first attempt at providing a complete English translation. No doubt the text of the Satapatha of the Madhyandina and Kanva School do not deffer much from kandas VIII to XVI and prof. Eggeling's translation of the former is available. The latter portion was felt necessary as a result of detailed discussions with traditional scholars who are actively engaged in Srauta sacrificial Performances.

Textual Notes to substantiate the choice of particular readings; a section under the heading Vimarsa discussing certain selected topics arising out of a study of the text; an exhaustive list of contents, Brahmanawise and Glossary of technical terms are some of the additional features of this attempt. The suggestions and guidance of traditional scholars who are experts in Srautayagas are the most important advantages of this edition.

Dr. C.R. Swaminathan hailed from an orthodox aristocratic family of Palghat, Kerala. He did his M.A. in Sanskrit in 1950 and obtained university under the able guidance of Dr. V. Raghavan; Ph. D. from Delhi University and Aharya from Darbhanga Sanskrit University.

He worked as Librarian in the oriental Manuscripts Library, Madras. He then joined Government of India in 1961 as a lecturer in Sanskrit. For a brief spell of two years he was on deputation to His Majesty's Government of Nepal as Curator, National Archives, Nepal. He retired as Deputy Educational Adviser (Sanskrit) in 1985. After his retirement he worked as Consultant in IGNCA for four Years.

As Deputy Educational Adviser he was instrumental in initiating Adarsh Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya Scheme; reprinting out of print Sanskrit works; initiating special incentives for preservation of the oral tradition of Vedic studies, and establishment of Rashtriya Veda Vidya Pratishthana – an autonomous Trust, of the Government of India. He was also credited with starting a number of Veda Pathashalas in various parts of the country.

Besides several articles and Sanskrit poetic compositions, he has quite a few publications to his credit in English and Sanskrit including his Sanskrit dissertation : A Comparative study of Gita Bhasyas Published by the Sahitya Parishad, Luckonw, which is widely acclaimed as an excellent piece of critical scholarship.

Dr. C.R. Swaminathan recived President's award for his outstanding contributions to Sanskrit Studies in the Year 1997-98. He passed away on Nov.5th 2000.