Descriptive Catalogue of Sanskrit Manuscripts Asiatic Society Vol 14

SR No.: 020284
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Hariprasad Shastri, Chintaharan Chakravarti
Publisher: Asiatic Society
Publication Year: 1955
Total Pages: 78
Language: English, Sanskrit
Classification: Catalogue
File Size: 5 MB

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In YUDDHA-ŚĀSTRA OF DHANURVEDA, which is claimed to be of divine origin, independent works dealing with the subject in a more or less scientific manner are very few. Of these the manuscript of a work called Kodanda-śāstra attributed to Dilīpa is reported to have been acquired by the Society (JPASB, 1908, p. xxii), but unfortunately it cannot be traced in the Society's Library. A passing reference may be made to two MSS. of a work called Kodandamandana in the old collection of the Society. An edition of the work has been published in Bengali characters by the Basumati Sahityamandir of Calcutta. All the known MSS. of the work, including those belonging to the Society, come to an abrupt end at the same place, e.g., verse 9 of chapter XXII (or XXI in some MSS.). It is curious that it is definitely recorded in MSS. belonging to different parts of the country that some portions at the end were found missing in the original from which the particular MS. was copied, so that the portions in question could not be copied out. It requires to be investigated as to when and how the portions came to be lost. The work does not refer to the name of the author but it is stated that tradition was followed in writing the book.1
MSS. of astrological or magical works have not been included in the volume.2 The Society possesses MSS. of more than half a dozen works of this type (Yuddhajayārnavatantra, Narapatijayacaryā, Ranahastirājavījaya, Svaratattvacamatkāra, Yuddhakaušala, Yuddhajayotsava, Viraparākrama and Samarasāra). MSS. of some of these works or of other similar works are usually classed under Tantra or Astrology. A number of these works are definitely stated to have been based on the Tantras especially of the Yāmala class with sections bearing the stamp of the Tantra form while one at least is styled Tantra. These works deal with what is called Svarodayaśāstra or the science of sounds, a lack of the knowledge of which brings about the fall of a king, even though rich in arma
Library the Brahmapuringu). In the revi
1 The Tanjore Library possesses a MS. of the work which has been supposed by Burnell to be a part of the Brahmapurāna and described as a work written 'in praise of Rāma's skill in arms' (Burnell, 189a). In the revised Descriptive Cata. logue of the game Library P.P.S. Shastri has placed it under Dharmaśāstra (XVII. 18820).
2 MSS. of the Samarasára have come up through inadvertence.