THEE Introduction lv enough to act immediately. He somehow acquired a copy of this beautifully got-up costly book and presented the same to me soon But, my total igno- rance of the Italian came in the way. Luckily a Belgian scholar, by name Mr. Hemaraj was here at Tirupati during 1979 in connection with his study of Indian religions and he knew Italian. He was kind enough to help me by giving me an idea of the Italian translation of certain passages here and there. Yet, I am sorry that I could not get the full benefit of Prof. Gnoli's translation. However attempts were made, as far as one can, to understand the GS pro- perly and to translate it suitably. Help did come from Ag. himself, i.e. from his own works like the Tantraloka, Pratyabhijñāvimarsini, Paramarthasara etc. A study of other works like Sivadysti, Pratyabhijñā- hrdaya etc. was also helpful. I was happy indeed. BIMBIC natur While translating the BG verses not commented upon by Ag., the gloss of the Kashmirian Rămaka- ntha is generally followed. The idea is this: Ag. tells us that he is interested in giving the hidden meaning only. So he must have, it is presumed, accepted the general meaning of the BG as given by the Kash- mirian scholars of his days. One more point: It has been said above that certain passages of the GS, found defective in the Critical Apparatus are retained in the body of the text and that probable correct readings are suggested in the Tippani thereon. But 1. I feel, even now, that had I known the Italian language, the translation of mine would have been not only easier but also more informative. 2. GS, intro, ch. XVIII, 2; etc.
