46
INTRODUCTION.
As soon as I recognised the importance of the MSS., I resolved
to copy it out myself. My time at Jesalmir was limited. But.
with the help of my companion Dr. H. Jacobi of Bonn, who
kindly lent me bis assistance during my whole tour in Raj-
putana, the task was accomplished in about seven days. He
copied Sargas V. VI., XIV.-XVII. and XVIII. 1-74, while
the rest fell to my share. We then revised our copy together.
I fear, however, that some at least of the little lacunse and
mistakes, which had to be filled in and corrected when the work
was printing, are owing to the inaccuracy of our transcript and not
to that of the writer of the old MS. Every case where in printing
I thought it necessary to alter the text given by the transcript,
has been carefully stated in the notes. With the exception of
two or three passages about which I am still in doubt, the
text of the Vikramankakavya is readable, and I believe that, if
fresh MSS. are found, it will prove to be trustworthy. I have
to thank Vâmanâcharya Jhalkikar for several emendations, which
he suggested while copying my transcript for the press and Lis
brother Bhimacharya for some other corrections given in the
addenda.
I have also to thank K. M. Chatfield, Esq., Director of Public
Instruction who like his distinguished predecessors E. Howard,
Esq., Sir A. Grant and J. B. Peile, Esq., C. S., continues to give
a liberal support to Oriental Studies, for his ready permission to
print the work in the Bombay Sanskrit Series.
1. E. g. II. 21.
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