It is with great pleasure and a sense of gratitude that I record my obligations to various scholars from whom I have derived invaluable help in the preparation of the thesis.
At the outset, I express my deepest feeling of respect and gratitude to my guruji Prof. Srinibas Acharya, who has given. me his blessings since my college education and now, in the form of writing the forwarding letter. He was very kind to help me in every aspect from explaining the text to providing all formations and valuable suggestions at the proper time. Secondly, I thank my guide Dr B. K. Dalai, Reader, Pune University for his encouraging guidance. I must mention that he allowed me to use his rich personal collections of various useful texts without which it would not have been possible for me to complete the work.
I would like to record my gratitude to the University Grants Commission for awarding me a Fellowship 1992, for a period of four years (1993-1997) to carry out my research work at the University of Pune. The authorities of the University Grants Commission and the University of Pune were kind enough to sanction the fellowship in time which made my study at Pune possible.
I am extremely indebted to my elder brother Mr P.C. Bhanja, who once dreamt of me being at this stage. It is he and his blessings that alone made me reach what I am. I do not know how much I owe him. I am extremely grateful to my beloved wife Smt. Seema Srivastav (Supriya) for her moral support from the beginning to the final stage of my research work.
I am obliged to the library staff members of BORI, CASS, Jayakar, Deccan College of Pune, Orissa Sahitya Academy, Bhubaneswar, S.K.S.V. Puri for allowing me to make use of their valuable collections:
I thank Mr C.P. Gautamji & his Indological institution, Bharatiya Kala Prakashan, Delhi, where both are encouraging the authors, and Sanskrit learners by providing ample opportunities in the form of publishing quality textbooks. Gautamji encouraged me a lot and due to him only, this thesis of 1998, comes out in book shape (in two Vol umes) and reaches many hands of Sanskrit Lovers. I must confess that this prakashan, made it possible for me to see this thesis in the light.
Dhananjaya Bhanja
