Manuscript Collection of the Sanskrit Sahitya Parishat
Summary
The Sanskrit Sahitya Parishat of Calcutta has assembled a notable collection of Sanskrit manuscripts, focusing on regions dominated by orthodox scholars in western and northern Bengal. As of the report, the Parishat holds 1,854 cataloged manuscripts, with over 500 yet to be listed. The largest categories include Navya Nyaya (580 manuscripts), Navya Smriti (366), and Tantras (871 total), though the latter's prominence may reflect regional scholarly preferences rather than historical practice. Manuscripts were primarily sourced from villages like Bansbaria, Ilsoba, Memari, and Satkhira, often through donations from descendants of scholars or purchases. Two significant donations included collections from Maharaja Kamal Krishna Deva of Sobhabazar and Maharaja Jayaniriyana of Bhukailasa. Notable holdings include rare grammatical texts like Vararuci’s gloss on Kātyāyānarīcarana (the only known copy) and a Bengali-character Upanishadic commentary by Jñānāgopīndra. The Parishat also possesses a 15th-century Bengali manuscript of Sankara’s Vedāntasūtra commentary and works like Cintāmaṇi-dīdhi-tippanī by Bhavananda (1593 CE), which challenges earlier dating assumptions. Smriti works feature texts by Raghunandana and Aniruddha Paṇḍita, with the latter’s Pitṛdāyitī published by the Parishat. The collection also includes unique Tantric manuscripts and exeghetical works like Crtrakivya by Binesvara Vidydlankira. Despite
Summary reviewed by a volunteer editor.
Conclusion
The Sanskrit Sahitya Parishat’s manuscript collection offers a unique window into Bengal’s scholarly heritage, particularly its focus on Navya Nyaya and Smriti traditions, with 580 and 366 manuscripts respectively. The absence of Vedic Samhita texts, contrasted by the presence of Upanishadic commentaries and ritualistic works like the *Chandogamantrabhagya*, underscores regional intellectual priorities. The rare *Vararuci’s Katamtya-vyikarana* gloss and the *Siddhantakanmdi* in Bengali script highlight the enduring influence of grammatical and linguistic studies. This collection not only preserves texts like the *Kumarasambhava* fragment but also documents the socio-cultural shift from orthodox learning to economic challenges faced by Bengal’s pandits. By prioritizing manuscripts from villages like Bansbaria and They are