Notices of Sanskrit Manuscripts

by Rajendralala Mitra | 1871 | 921,688 words

These pages represent a detailed description of Sanskrit manuscripts housed in various libraries and collections around the world. Each notice typically includes the physical characteristics, provenance, script, and sometimes even summaries of the content of the Sanskrit manuscripts. The collection helps preserve and make accessible the vast herit...

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15 comNigamalata, and Vamakecvaratantra. In the absence of any information about their extent, it is not possible to say whether the codices acquired are complete. Some of the works are absolutely unique, such as Bidadhatisamayacaratantra, Siddhalaharitantra , Vrhatrudrajamalatantra, and Tantracudamani. When, and under what circumstances, and in what countries the original Tantras were posed, is not known. It would not be out of place to hazard a conjecture here that these were the text-books of the various sects of Bhairavs and Kapalikas mentioned in the Caykaravijaya, who are said to have been defeated in argument by the great Cankaracaryya; that these dark philosophers of the forest, who performed awful ceremonies, away from human habitation, exercised powerful influence on the ignorant people of India is evidenced by the introduction of such characters as the Kapalika Aghoraghanta in a popular work like the Malati-Madhava. The brahmans in Eastern India, starting from these original works made various compilations, invested the mystic formula of the Tantriks with the importance of vedic mantras, gave them Risis, chandah, and Devata, and at last procured or manufactured texts to invest the Tantras with the authority of the Vedas. They, in fact, substituted the great Tantrik ceremonies of Durgapuja, Jagaddhatripuja, Kalipuja , &c., for Of these compilations the great Crauta ceremonies of the Vedas. the most famous are those by Purnananda, his Guru Brahmananda and Krsnananda Agamavagica. During the period under review, copies of the following Tantrik compilations have been secured :- 1. Abhijnanaratnavali, by Ramananda, son of Visnvananda, a big work, with 425 large leaves; closely written, yet incomplete . 2. Timiracandrika, by Ramratna. 3. Yogakalpalatika, by Krsnadeva. Besides these unique works, several rare works have been obtained by purchase. JYOTISA. Of Jyotisa the following seemed to be undoubtedly of Bengali origin: 1. Jyotirnirnaya, by Govinda Nyayavagica. 2. Jyotihsara, by Ramasatya. 3. Bhavarthamanjari, by Acyuta. 4. Aykacudamani. 5. Adbhutasagarasara, by Cripati. 6. Kosthipradipa, by Raghunandana. 7. Adbhutadarpana, by Madhavacaryya. BHAKTI CASTRAS. These are works by the followers of Caitanya, and they ar unique:- 1. Krsnabhaktiprakaca.

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