स्वप्नवासवदत्तम् (महाकवि भास - संस्कृत मूल एवं हिन्दी अनुवाद)

xlvi INTRODUCTION. plays have thenceforward gradually disappeared from circulation and have now become extinct. How is this to be explained? Not, indeed, by the absence of merits, for it has already been shown that the works are so exuberant with rich ideas and are couched in such felicitous language, as to attract the emulation of poets like Kâlidâsa. Nor can the existence of the aforesaid irregularities of language which are not capable of an easy explanation possibly be the reason; for, even at a time when Pâṇini's Grammar which has become so famous with the aid of such works like the Vârtika and Mahâbhâshya has attained a very wide currency, when again, there have come into exist- ence authoritative works on Rhetoric composed by Medhavin, Bhâmaha and others, and when scholars have imbibed the habit of closely follow- ing them, similar irregularities are met with here and there, as in Kâli- dâsa's works which have in no way become less popular on that account. Nor again, can it be due to the omission to mention the poet's name, for Raghuvamsa, Sisupâlavadha and other works wherein the author's name is not mentioned, have a wide currency. Hence, some mysterious reason must be assigned for their non- circulation, on the strength of which must be explained the total disappearance till now, except in name, of works like the Saṅgraha of Âchârya Vyâḍi and the Brihatkathâ of Guṇâḍhya. The simultaneous acquisition of a number of Bhâsa's very ancient works which have long since been given up for lost, will not fail to be the source of astonishment and delight to all the world, and they will be re- garded as an invaluable treasure by Sanskrit and Archæological scholars. It further generates in me some hope that many other works of Bhâsa may be unearthed, for it is nowhere calculated that Bhâsa's works are so many in number. Our profound gratitude is due to the proprietors of Manalikkara Matham and especially to its eldest member, the venerable Sankaranârâ- yaṇar for the invaluble help they have rendered in preserving these some- what worn-out but precious manuscripts which contain a rare collection of Bhâsa's works. My hearty thanks are also due to the astrologer Govinda