अणुभाष्य (महाप्रभु वल्लभाचार्य - शुद्धाद्वैत वेदान्त ब्रह्मसूत्र महाभाष्य प्रकाश टीका सहित)

( 24 )

work, so Mulchandra approached श्रीजीवनलालजी of पोरबन्दर for the same. He immediately consented and sent Rs. 500 for the publication. The work was begun at once, and the first volume of his memorable series was published in December 1916. It established his reputation in the पुष्टिसम्प्रदाय. So many commentaries were never thought of before by any one, much less seen, and now they had them before their eyes all collected, beautifully printed, and with a lucid introduction in Sanskrit. Three more commentaries were subsequently traced and published along with जलभेद. This publication was followed in quick succession by others, and the details as to how, whence and how many manuscripts were collected, how funds were obtained etc., are given in the introduction to each work. His first marriage took place at Ujjain in 1911-12, and he was blessed with a wife who was very pious, spending about two hours every morning in religious observances, highly devoted to her husband, and had a strong and healthy constitution. Mulchandra's mother also was called from Broach, and all lived in Bombay. His income being very limited, they had to live an extremely frugal life, devoid of all luxuries such as tea, vegetables and milk; but it was peaceful and contented. His first son was born in 1914, and a daughter was born in 1915. But even this little happiness did not last long. The daughter died, followed by his wife who died at Broach from fever incident on delivery in Diwali, viz., about October 1917, and Mulchandra and his son were put to great difficulties for daily food. There were no means to keep a cook, or a servant to take care of the son. When the father went to court at 11 A. M, after locking the room, the son passed his time somehow with the neighbours, and if the father did not return at 6 P. M., the lonely son would sit in front of the door with a stream of tears flowing from his eyes down the cheeks and with constant sobs which no amount of persuasion could check. When ultimately he did arrive, the boy would fly into his arms, and would not leave him even in bed and till next day's fateful hour 11 A. M. One source of his little income was some small commissions which came to him from the Chief Judge of the Bombay Small causes Court who appreciated his value, thereby showing his great regard for him, for his sterling character and great learning. For this work, pleaders asked him to fix time after 5-30 P. M., which this junior Mulchandra did, but after some bitter expe- riences of the above nature, he avoided engagements after 5-30 p. m. It was under such difficulties that the life-work of Mulchandra was done. In 1919 ( Vaishakh 1975 ) he went to श्रीनाथद्वार and कांकरोली at the time of यज्ञोपवीत ceremony of श्रीमद्भूषणजी son of श्रीबालकृष्णलालजी. He had with him a com- pany of friends including उत्तमलाल चन्दुलाल, and others. With their help, he saw the libraries of कोटा and gathered important information from manuscripts from all possible sources. He also saw the Nathadwārā Library. The library of श्रीविट्ठलेशजी the second house in which श्रीहरिरायजी, and योगिगोपेश्वरजी flourished, could not be seen, though many efforts were made, and it still remains to be seen with a view to find out all the ग्रन्थs of श्रीहरिरायजी and श्रीयोगिगोपेश्वरजी. It was at

2024