॥श्रीः॥
PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
After a lapse of nearly 25 years, we are bringing out the second edition of Srimad Valmiki Ramayana. The first edition went out of print five years ago. Since then, there has been a great and growing demand from the public for copies of our Ramayana. There now seems to be a welcome renaissance in Sanskrit and in the study of our great epics. It is due largely to the noble and inspiring message of our revered Acharaya.
It is our singular good fortune that we are able to release the edition with the blessing of His Holiness Sri Sankaracharaya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. We are twice blessed with his good wishes. His Srimukham adorns the book at the beginning.
The first edition of the Valmiki Ramayana was published through the initiative and enthusiasm of Sri R. Narayanaswami Iyer, with the held of Editorial Board of eminent Samskrit Scholars. The popularity and the reputation that this publication enjoys to-day is due, in no small measure, to their careful collation of the manuscripts and perfect editing of this great classic. In the preparation of the second edition, we have not had the benefit of the guidance of these scholars, as all, with the exception of Brahmasri T. V. Ramachandra Dikshitar, are now no more. However, the initial task of compiling an authoritative edition had been done by them and we have the advantage of it now.
The second edition was carefully revised Mahamahopadhyaya Pandit Chinnaswami Sastrigal of the Calcutta University with the assistance of a band of scholars. It is matter of deep regret to us that he is not alive to-day to see the release of this publication.
While no new manuscripts have been compared or collated for the second edition, an old edition in Telegu, printed in 1884, at
