वासिष्ठ धर्मशास्त्र (महर्षि वसिष्ठ - प्राचीन वैदिक स्मृति सटीक)

PREFACE.
Ever since the first edition of Vasiṣṭha's Dharmaśā'stra
appeared in 1883, I have tried in vain to obtain some new
and still more reliable Mss., being quite independent of those
already known, or some old commentary on this difficult
lawbook. During my Archæological tour through Râjputâna
in 1892-93 I came across in the library of Śâstri Śrīnivâsj₁
Keśavadevjī at Kotah an old manuscript (named K. in the
present edition), dated Saṃvat 1410. which offers a few better,
well-marked and widely varying readings, thus furnishing
new materials for settling some of the much debated points
of the established text. I am, however, painfully conscious of
the many corrupt passages still remaining and awaiting
further elucidation; but I offer the carefully revised text to
Oriental scholars as an honest attempt to enable the student
to read a difficult Sanskrit work which will well repay the
trouble of mastering it. As long as no new information can
be furnished regarding the school of the Ṛigveda, to which
the Vāsiṣṭhadharmaśāstra belongs, and referring to the us-
age of language prevailing at that school, it would be most
hazardous to venture on the introduction of any emendations
in the text.
BĀLE (SUISSE), the 10th June 1914.
A. A. F.