Indian Antiquary Vol 13

SR No.: 032505
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: John Faithfull Fleet, Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 492
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 22 MB

Page 34

28
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
(JANUARY, 1884.
Thus, in describing Udépur, in which there are a very few marble structures, he says, (p. 49), "poet or painter might be forgiven who should take it for the embodiment in marble of the apocalyptic vision of the Holy City, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." It is quite Prof. Peterson's habit to interland his sentences with such quotations (see pp. 44, 46, 52, 55, &c.) He even finds a parallel between Paul and Kshê. marija, who, he thinks, "may have changed his name to Kshêmêndra at the time of his conversion." But, like the blind man at Jēpur, whom he mentions (p. 43) as so well versed in the Mahabharata, Prof. Peterson is perhaps-to use his own words" content with the shadow he pursues as any of us all"-Very complimen. tary to us all!'
We are also struck by such sweeping statements as that it is "amusing to note that one of the chief features" of the Jepur public library, "is what must certainly be the most complete collection of Scotch sermons that exists anywhere east of the Lothians." This we know to be an exag. geration, the result perhaps of bias.
Again, is he correct when he asserte (p. 46), that Pushkara is the only sacred place in India that "boasts a temple" raised in hononr of Brahma P This we know is a popular story, but we have seen and heard of temples of Brahmadova elsewhere, even in Rajputana, as well as in Eastern and Southern India.
Then he speaks of "the magnificent marble statue which some strange chance has raised above ground," near Cambay, “and which has such a weird effect on the visitor, who comes upon it, as we did, unexpectedly." This "marble statue," we are told by one who has examined it, is merely a common black stone or slate image of & Jaina Tirthankara, in the usual squatting posture; its "weird effect" may be a personal concern.
In describing the daily sacrifice at Amber, he Bays:-"in a corner of the room a girl was encircling with her arms the little goat that had till then boen her playmate, but was now to be torn from
her, and put to death, because the upper powers require some such satisfaction for the sins of the people of Jêpur. We turned and fled the scene, thinking in our hearts that a sight like this might possibly open the eyes even of certain commentators." This is quite sagely romantic; is this girl to be found often there, or only when a Professor and his wife visit the place P Prof. Peterson, however, has a liking for the oratorical ; thus he describes Hémacharya (p. 64), as "the great teacher who, writing when English history was hardly yet begun, has, from his urn, ruled the spirits of so many generations, and is potent still," and adds a quotation from Byron's Manfred.
We hardly see the use of reproducing, in an Appendix of fully 24 pages to this Report, the paper on Bana, his predecessors and contempo. raries, which has so recently appeared in the author's edition of the Kadambari, nor of the extracts and long notes, such (e.g.) as that on I-tsing (p. 14) from Max Müller's latest and wellknown work; a simple reference to the book quoted and the page, would, in most of such cases, have been enough.
Finally, he tells us (p. 6), that his MS. of the Suvrittatilaka" was not bought for Government; but was presented” to him by a friend. Does Prof. Peterson not know that there is a distinct rule against any Government officer receiving any such presents ? It was thus that Drs. Haug and Sprenger dealt, and finally carried off from the country, to dispose of, for their own behoof in Germany, the best of the MSS. they found. Prof. Peterson exouses himself by stating that
in the comparatively few cases in which MSS. have thus been put at his disposal, he has gone on the rule of making over to the collection all MSS. that are new, or more correct than copies already there. Others he has felt at liberty to retain.' No such excuse ought to be pled for the evasion of the law. He may retain nothing of value; another led by his example may easily accumulate a splendid collection.
The more important features of this Report are go fully noticed below by Dr. Bühler, that more need not be added here.
BOOK NOTICE. Pror. PATERSON'S REPORT on the SEARCH for SANS- extracts from the latter, and an alphabetical list
KRIT MSS. in the Bombay Cirole, 1882-83. (No. 41. of of all MSS. bought (pp. 1-132); (2) a list of the vol. XVI. of the Jour. Bo. Br. Roy. 48. Soc.]
palm-lenf MSS. in Såntináth's Bhandar at Cambay Professor Peterson's Report of his operations (App. I, pp. 1-108); and (3) a reprint of a portion connected with the search for Sanskrit MSS. in of his introduction to the Kadambark, Bana, his 1882-83 consists of three separate parts; (1) an accontemporaries and predecessors,' (App. II, pp. count of a journey to Rajputând and a description 104-129). Prof. Peterson's journey to Gujarat and of his more important acquisitions, together with Rajputând was his first official tour, undertaken