Mansollas Satik Part 01

This document is the first part of the Mānasollāsa, also known as Abhilṣitārthacintāmaṇi, a Sanskrit encyclopedic work attributed to King Someśvara of the Western Chalukya dynasty.

Key aspects and content of the provided text:

• Publication Details:

  • The text is published by the Oriental Institute, Baroda, as part of the Gaekwad's Oriental Series and the Government of India Sanskrit Book Re-print Series.
  • The first edition was in 1925, and a reprint was released in 1967.
  • The work is attributed to King Someśvara, son of Vikramaditya VI, who reigned in the 12th century.
  • The General Editor for the reprint was B. J. Sandesara.
  • The work is described as a "veritable encyclopaedia in Sanskrit" and is important for studying the cultural conditions of medieval India.

• Authorship and Date:

  • While the colophon attributes the work to King Someśvara himself, the preface suggests it might have been composed by a learned courtier familiar with royal affairs, as a king making such a self-aggrandizing comparison is unlikely.
  • The date of composition is estimated to be around 1131 AD (1052 Saka) based on a dhruvāṅka (a specific calculation related to astronomical positions).
  • There's a discussion about the controversy surrounding Someśvara's accession date (1124-27 AD), but it doesn't materially conflict with the composition date.

• Structure and Content of Volume I:

  • The Mānasollāsa is a voluminous work divided into five Vimsatis (sections), each containing 20 Adhyāyas (chapters), totaling 100 chapters.
  • Volume I contains the first two Vimsatis, comprising 40 chapters.
  • The preface outlines the vast scope of the work, covering "one hundred different topics on the necessities and written for the instruction of the members of royal families."

• Nature of the Work:

  • It's written in Anustubh meter with occasional prose passages.
  • The language is described as "easy but florid."
  • The work aims to provide maximum information in minimum space and is called mārgadēni (a book that teaches the world).
  • It provides a picture of the "glories, pomps and paraphernalia of a purely Indian court and royal household."

• Specific Topics Covered (from the preface and table of contents):

  • First Vimsati: Generally focuses on the qualifications and necessities for an ambitious king aiming to expand his dominion.
    • Chapters cover virtues, rules of conduct (avoiding falsehood, harming others, etc.), duties towards family, teachers, guests, and the public.
    • It details the importance of tirthasnan (bathing in sacred rivers) and lists several, though notable omissions like Pushkar are mentioned.
    • It discusses the administration of medicines, particularly those derived from plants, with no mention of metallic preparations.
    • Emphasis is placed on the king's responsibility for the welfare of the distressed.
  • Second Vimsati: Primarily focuses on ways to secure the king's position.
    • Covers kingly qualifications, rasāyana (rejuvenation), the roles and qualifications of various state officials (ministers, priests, treasurers, guards, physicians, cooks, etc.).
    • Discusses kingdom administration, taxation (including land produce, honey, ghee), and the importance of an organized army.
    • Details elephant management, including catching, training, and warfare. Specific methods like Vāribandha (similar to Kheddah) are mentioned.
    • Covers gemology (testing pearls, rubies, emeralds, etc.), treasury management, and the importance of fortifications.
    • Includes discussions on various types of warfare, army formations (vyūhas), and strategic considerations.
    • It elaborates on subjects like astrology, divination (śakuna), and the importance of auspicious timing and omens for various activities.
    • There are chapters on medicinal treatises, arts, and possibly other sciences.

• Notable Observations from the Preface:

  • The author emphasizes the life of the king being in danger, as evidenced by the qualifications of the royal cook (unbuyable and able to test food).
  • The text reflects an awareness of the potential for corruption among clerical professions.
  • The king's wealth is calculated based on the number of elephants.
  • The work includes detailed descriptions of various aspects of royal life, from personal hygiene and attire to entertainment and diplomacy.
  • It highlights the importance of Ayurvedic medicines derived from plants.
  • The author mentions various historical and geographical references, indicating a broad knowledge base.

The provided pages list numerous Jain texts that have been scanned and digitized into DVDs as part of a project called "Aho! Śrutajñānam Granth Jīrṇōddhār." This indicates that the Mānasollāsa itself is part of a larger effort to preserve and disseminate rare Jain and other Indian manuscripts. The title Mānasollās Satik Part 01 suggests this is a scholarly edition with commentary or that it's the first part of a commentary on the Mānasollāsa. The inclusion of many Jain texts in the catalog links points to the involvement of Jain institutions in this preservation effort.