Visvamitrimahatmyam (An Old And Rare Book)

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It gives me great pleasure to present to the world of scholars this book, namely the Visvamitrimahatmya, forming the no. 176 of the Gaekwad's Oriental Series. The book contains the text of the Visvamitrimahatmya, critically edited for the first time on the basis of four rare mss.. by Shri J. P. Thaker, Ex-Director, Oriental Institute, Baroda. The author has also discussed several intricate problems connected with the edited text and has also presented useful appendices at the end. The river Visvamitri originates from the Pavagadha hills, flows through Vadodara District and meets the river Dhadhara afterwards. The text narrates several anecdotes connected with the river Visvamitri and the holy places on its banks. The book which is thus closely connected with Vadodara and its surroundings is a valuable text for the historical, geographical and archaeological information of the area. The editor has spared no pains in presenting the critical edition and its scholarly study in the most ideal manner. The book thus forms an important link in history of the mahatmya literature in general and the history, geography and cultural heritage of Vadodara in particular.

I take this opportunity to thank the editor, Prof. Thaker for preparing this scholarly edition of this valuable text. I also thank Dr. S.Y. Wakanker, Research Officer, Ku. Saswati Sen (Temp. Research Officer) and Smt. A. C. Raval (Proof Reader) for their assistance in several ways in the publication of this book. I am also grateful to the Authorities of the M. S. University of Baroda for releasing the necessary financial assistance towards the publication of this book and to Shri P. N. Shrivastav, Manager, M. S. University Press and his colleagues for their cooperation in neat and decent production of the book.

R. I. Nanavati Director

Makarasankranti: 14-1-1997