________________
PREFACE Most of our ancient authors of emninence have hardly cared to leave for postcrity any autobiographical details. Possibly they cared more for the continuity and elucidation of great ideas through their works than to their perpetuating personal cletails. Samantabhadra-Svami or -Deva is no exception to this gencral rule. But a thoughtsul study of his works enables us to portray before our mind's eye the outstanding personality of Samantabhadra. Here is a great leader of religion and thought, full of zeal and carnestness. He is an acute logician and a dispassionate philosopher. His studies are deep, and his expressions precise and pregnant with significance. He is a master of Sanskrit language which he handles quite effectively and according to the need of the subject-matter. He is an ardent devotee and a learned logician; that is why he pours out beautiful hymns which are at oncc inonuments of philosophical learning and thought. His Stutis are obviously profound expositions of Syadvada and other principles of
