PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION
This publication of the new edition of the English version of the "Mahabharata" is now taken in hand. The first edition of this work was brought out long, long ago by late Mr. Pratap Chandra Roy, C.I.E. His was the object inspired by noble patriotism, in as much as all the copies of his edition were intended for free distribution. But, unfortunately, this noble object failed of its purpose and that to the nauseating vileness of many of the recipients of his charity, who took advantage of Pratap Babu's noble simplicity, they having sold out their copies for money value. It is highly regrettable that many a golden undertaking had this way been smothered out of existence. The result was, the work was priced at Rs. 50/- per copy. People who thirsted after the knowledge mighty Mahabharata had no opportunity of going through it at all, for the first edition consisted of a very few copies only. The mantle of Mr. Roy then fell upon late Mr. Manmatha Nath Datta, m.a., who, too, made an earnest attempt at the publication of an English Mahabharata but alas! he was called away before the completion of of his huge literary venture.
Now-a-days English has become the world language—a language spoken and understood by almost all. The culture of Sanskrit in which the original Mahabharata is clothed is now confined within the coterie of a few Brahmin Pandits in India. Again, the Westerners are quite strangers to Sanskrit language, though they should be enabled to have a peep into this vast store of world's knowledge. These are the considerations which have prompted us into bringing out piece-meal this new edition of Mr. Roy's Mahabharata. In order to bring the work within the easy reach of every one, the price of the present edition has been made as low as possible. In view of the prohibitive price of paper it is a venturesome attempt to bring out now a huge work like this. But many a little makes a mickle. It is our confident belief that the unstinted support of the reading public is sure to carry us successfully through this onerous task. Why, is there any other country which can boast of a work such as this our Mahabharata, the stupendous ocean of all-embracing knowledge? Even the most renowned classical works of the West pale into insignificance, when weighed against this wonderful production which shows the high watermark of Indian civilisation. To be patriotic is to be proud of the past glories of one's own country. It is therefore hoped that no Indian with a spark of patriotism in him will tighten his purse-strings against this laudable object of taking to the doors of the West this glorious fruit of the brilliant civilisation of that pre-historic age.
D. N. Bose
Publisher
