EDITOR'S NOTES. By Rameshbhai Shah

EDITOR'S NOTES

By Rameshbhai Shah

Sodash Granthaha - Sixteen Book, also collectively known as Vallabha Gita, are very important part of the Pustimargiya literature. Originally they were known as Prakaranas. They were composed by Acharya Vallabh between v. s. 1549 to v. s. 1587, a period of 38 years First of the work is Yamunastakam which was composed by Acharya at the very young age of fifteen years. The last is Antahkaran Prabodh - composed just thirty nine day before his departure from this worlds (Asuryamohleela), in v. s. 1587, Generally when different works of a Acharya or writer are collected in a book form, they are arranged chronologically i. e in order of their composition and that is also natural for it represents growth or development of the thought process of the author but that is not the case with sodash Grantha.

It appears that after the departure of Acharya from this world, most probably in the time of Shree Gokulnathji, some Acharya or a learned person, collected all these works and arranged it in order of the presentation of the principals of Pustimarg. Though Shree Harirayaji and other Acharyas have differed somewhat from the traditional arrangement but as this difference are not material, we have followed the traditional order in this book.

Another point to be noted about, this collection is that not only this books were composed during a long period of thirty years, most of them were composed in response to some specific queries from his disciples. Even then they explain the main tenants of Pustimarg Systematically and in totality. That is itself enough to show the greatened Of Shri Vallachacharya as the exponent of the path of grace - " Anugrah Marg' The work are written in Karika form, i. e. Shloka in concise - abbreviated form. It is difficult to understand them and there true meaning Without the knowledge of religious Literature or Hindu Scriptures. Therefore other Acharyas have written several treaties on each of the work.

There are as much as fourteen treaties on Bhaktivardhini alone this also shows the great importence that is give to these works. With young generation of our families adopting english as the medium of education, it was felt that this work should be made available in English Translation for the benefit of English medium student. Though children in India are taught (Hindi and Marathi as second language in school and therefore know Devnagari script, but children in foreign countries don't know Devnagari script.

For their benefit verbal Transliteration is included in this book. Gujarati Translation of each shloka is provided for the benefit of the parents of these children. So that they can help them in understanding the proper meaning of the shloka. Please note that both the translation are independent of each other, i. e. one translation is not the translation of the other translation, but each translation is independent translation of original Sanskrit Slok. Gujarati translation in more explanatory in nature and help the parent to understand the subject properly. We reqest parents to explain the true significance of shloka to children and help them recite them with correct pronunciation.

Sanskrit is a very rich language, and its each word has more than one meaning. It is difficult to translate the same in English language. It appears that each translator uses a different english word for the same Sanskrit word, e. g. " Vivek" is translated as prudence, discrimination as well as discreet understanding. Same is the case with many words. It is time that a glossary of Standard English synonymous of all the important Sanskrit word of PustiBhakti Marg is published.

Several translation of this works are published, Two recent publication are " Sodas Grantha" (Four part series) published by G. S. Ghanshyamji of Seventh seat of Srimad Vallabhacharya, fromKaman-Bharatpur-Rajasthari and " Shri 'Shodas Ganthaha edited by G. S. Vagish Kumarji (Kankroli) and published by Vakpati foundation of Baroda. We have decided to follow the last mentioned book in respect of English translation.

So far as Gujarati Translation is concerned, there are numbers of such translations and commentaries; However, we have followed the original Translation by Shri Krushna Sankar Shastri from Shri BhaktiNikunj, published by Sri Krushna Nidhi Trust - Ahmedabad. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of these editors and publisher as well as all other authors, editors and publisher who have contributed in the better understanding of Shri Mahaprabhuji work by translation and publication.

An article, " Shri Vallabhacharya and his mission" by Mr. Mulchanddra Telivala is reprinted in this book with due acknowledge and, thanks to Mr. Kedarnath Sharma, the editors and Anand Prakash Sansthan Varansi the - publisher of " the complete works of M. T. Telivala".

For the benefit of the readers, we have given a glossary of the Sanskrit words and their English Synonmous as they are used in this text. Please note the meaning of the word is in context to the text. We hope that this collection will help our younger generation in understanding the principal of Pusti Marg.

Shri Vallabhacharyaji and his mission

- By Mulchandra Telivala