वासिष्ठ धर्मशास्त्र (महर्षि वसिष्ठ - प्राचीन वैदिक स्मृति सटीक)

PREFACE. Ever since the first edition of Vasiṣṭha's Dharmaśā'stra appeared in 1883, I have tried in vain to obtain some new and still more reliable Mss., being quite independent of those already known, or some old commentary on this difficult lawbook. During my Archæological tour through Râjputâna in 1892-93 I came across in the library of Śâstri Śrīnivâsj₁ Keśavadevjī at Kotah an old manuscript (named K. in the present edition), dated Saṃvat 1410. which offers a few better, well-marked and widely varying readings, thus furnishing new materials for settling some of the much debated points of the established text. I am, however, painfully conscious of the many corrupt passages still remaining and awaiting further elucidation; but I offer the carefully revised text to Oriental scholars as an honest attempt to enable the student to read a difficult Sanskrit work which will well repay the trouble of mastering it. As long as no new information can be furnished regarding the school of the Ṛigveda, to which the Vāsiṣṭhadharmaśāstra belongs, and referring to the us- age of language prevailing at that school, it would be most hazardous to venture on the introduction of any emendations in the text. BĀLE (SUISSE), the 10th June 1914. A. A. F.