The investigations submitted here have grown from a study of Bilhana's Vikramäńkadevacarita (Vear.), which I undertook under the guidance of Professor Paul Thieme.
In Chapter I, a number of textual improvements are pro-posed. Even if not each of them will be accepted, it will emerge from my treatment that our MS. tradition, scanty as it is, shows more doubtful readings as seems to have been realized (for example: by Bühler, Vcar., Introd. p. 46). At least in two cases, the text, as it stands, cannot give a true picture of the historical events described (see p. 8 on 4.119 c (in Bühler's ed. 4.118c) and p.10 on 5.78a).
It is hoped that the treatment of certain lexicographical items in Chapter II, will not only help the understanding and interpretation of Bilhaņa, but will be welcome as a small contri-bution to the history of the Sanskrit vocabulary in the late Middle Ages. Now-a-days it will generally be accepted that the usage of individual poets is more differentiated than commen taries that rely exclusively on works like Amarakoša or even the PW. make us realize.
The secondary source material, dealt with in Chapter III, comprises a quantum of quotations from Vcar. in the five important Subhāşita-s, viz. Subhāşitaratnakośa (Srk.); Sadukti-karaņāmṛta (Skm.), Süktimuktāvalī (Smk.), Śārńgadharapad-dhati (Sp.) and Subhāṣitāvalī (Subh.). As far as can be made out, the readings of the anthologies are inferior or deliberate changes (cp. e.g. on 16.2). In fact the readings offered by the anthologies can hardly help us to correct the MS. readings. An exception may be formed by 8.37c; 8.71d and 16.51c. Some readings in the anthologies are due to the distinct intention of rendering a given verse a more general application (cp. on 16.44, 51, 52; 17.11, 12). Curiously enough, some of Bilhana's verses are quoted in anthologies anonymously. These are marked in the table of concordance of quotations on pp.65-68.
The most interesting result of Chapter IV, is the proof that Vidyākara quotes Bilhaņa's Karņasundari (cp. verse 39) on p. 81 whereby Kosambi's argument regarding the time of Vidyakara, in so far as it is based on his not knowing Bilhana (cp. Stk. Introd. p. xxxiii), is shown to be invalid. Verses not verifiable in the extant works of Bilhana, but ascribed to him in the anthologies, have been taken either from oral tradition of single verses or from works of his which are altogether lost. Four of the verses ascribed to Bilhana (cp. vv. 14, 64, 71 and 79) treat the subject of the Rama-story. This may seem interesting in connection with the Vcar. 18.94 and Bühler's assumption of Bilhana's having composed Rämastuti (a proper "Rämacarita" with Bilhana as an author seems rather unlikely). On several occasions the verses treated here show affinity in style or vocа-bulary with the extant work of Bilhana and these as such have been discussed critically. Not in all cases the genuineness of the ascription to Bilhana is warranted by such further evidence. Chapters V and VI, give or retrieve available information on Bilhaņa and his works, with a view to revive interest in this poet and his works and to facilitate future research thereby. I express may deep sense of gratitude to my revered teacher Professor Dr. Paul Thieme, who has given me the benefit of his great learning by going through the entire text of Vikramäńka-devacarita with me as well as his valuable guidance in making this work presentable. I am thankful to Dr. W. Gebhardt, Dir-ector of the University Library, Tübingen, for appointing me as Academic Assistant (Indology) in the Oriental Section of the University Library, thus enabling me to finance my years of study in Tübingen. To Dr. A. Wezler, who always helped me in academic and other matters, I express my gratefulness. Had it not been for Miss Angelika Ilsch's excellent typing accuracy, this dissertation would never have attained its present, almost flawless presentation. I would like to take this opportunity of warmly thanking her for her co-operation. Of my German friends I would especially like to mention Mr. and Mrs. E. Plöger: the affection I feel for them can hardly be expressed. Last but not least, I wish to express my deepest feelings to my parents and my wife Durga for being so patient and loving.
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