அபிதான சிந்தாமணி

PRÉFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION ertar: Logicago GENTLEMEN AND LOVERS OF TAMIL LITERATURE, I began to write this Abithana Ohintamani, the Encyclopala ot Tamil Literature, some twenty years ago. For the materials of this book, I wont to several places in the Madras Presidency and secured the needed information. The book does not treat of a single subject but treats of many. It contains amongst other things (1) Biographical sketohes of deities, Saints and other illustrious personages. (2) Descriptive and explanatory notes on places of sanotity and antiquity. (3) Explanations of allusions to Hindu mythology. (4) Grammar, Literature and Logio. (5) Genealogical, Geographical and Historical facts. (6) Dissertation on different systems of philosophy and religion. (7) Description of the birth and growth of the Hindu sects and reeds that are extent. (8) Genealogy of the principal obaracters that figure in our annels. (9) Origin of precious stones. (10) Physiogaomy, Astro- logy and Medicine, (11) History of illustrious Tamil Authors and Madathipathies and many other items interesting to the student of Tamil Literature and the antiquarian, all arranged alphabetically. The facts gleaned are from classic authorities, Puranas, Srutis and Smritis. In short, the work is the compendium of the results of vast research in Tamil Literature presented in the form which would facilitate reference—& Tamil Encyclopædia in a nut shell. The book is written in a simple and easy style so as to be useful to all. It is written without any bias or prejudice, After the completion of this work, as my income as a Tamil Pandit was not sufficient to publish this elaborate work, I showed the manuscript copies of the work to man wealthy and educated gentlemen in Madras, who simply stated, without offering any help, that the publication would cost much. Then I thought of publishing it in montbly parts and to that effect published leaf- lets with specimen pages of my book. As very few joined as subscribers and as I feared that my attempt would be a failure, I gave up the idea. While T wag thus dejected and disheartened, one of my leaflets reached the hands of Sriman Paddithoraiswami Thevar, the President-Founder of Madura Tamil Sangam and Zemindar of Palavanatham, Ramnad. Ho came to Madras, looked into some portions of the book and kindly consented to publish this work. I shall not ex patiate on the various troubles and difficulties that I have onder gone in writing and publishing this work. Tho merit of this work is left to the judgment of those who may consult it as a book of reference whenever dit culties present themselves to them. My thanks are due to those gentlemen who bave rendered me invaluable help with informations and with books and espe- otally to Sriman Pandithoraiswami Thevar who has rendered me timely help in undertaking to publish this elaborato work. I wish him prosperity and success, A. SINGARAVELU MUDALIAR, Tamil Pardit, Pachaiyappa's Institution, Madras.
PRÉFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION ertar : Logicago GENTLEMEN AND LOVERS OF TAMIL LITERATURE I began to write this Abithana Ohintamani the Encyclopala ot Tamil Literature some twenty years ago . For the materials of this book I wont to several places in the Madras Presidency and secured the needed information . The book does not treat of a single subject but treats of many . It contains amongst other things ( 1 ) Biographical sketohes of deities Saints and other illustrious personages . ( 2 ) Descriptive and explanatory notes on places of sanotity and antiquity . ( 3 ) Explanations of allusions to Hindu mythology . ( 4 ) Grammar Literature and Logio . ( 5 ) Genealogical Geographical and Historical facts . ( 6 ) Dissertation on different systems of philosophy and religion . ( 7 ) Description of the birth and growth of the Hindu sects and reeds that are extent . ( 8 ) Genealogy of the principal obaracters that figure in our annels . ( 9 ) Origin of precious stones . ( 10 ) Physiogaomy Astro logy and Medicine ( 11 ) History of illustrious Tamil Authors and Madathipathies and many other items interesting to the student of Tamil Literature and the antiquarian all arranged alphabetically . The facts gleaned are from classic authorities Puranas Srutis and Smritis . In short the work is the compendium of the results of vast research in Tamil Literature presented in the form which would facilitate reference & Tamil Encyclopædia in a nut shell . The book is written in a simple and easy style so as to be useful to all . It is written without any bias or prejudice After the completion of this work as my income as a Tamil Pandit was not sufficient to publish this elaborate work I showed the manuscript copies of the work to man wealthy and educated gentlemen in Madras who simply stated without offering any help that the publication would cost much . Then I thought of publishing it in montbly parts and to that effect published leaf lets with specimen pages of my book . As very few joined as subscribers and as I feared that my attempt would be a failure I gave up the idea . While T wag thus dejected and disheartened one of my leaflets reached the hands of Sriman Paddithoraiswami Thevar the President - Founder of Madura Tamil Sangam and Zemindar of Palavanatham Ramnad . Ho came to Madras looked into some portions of the book and kindly consented to publish this work . I shall not ex patiate on the various troubles and difficulties that I have onder gone in writing and publishing this work . Tho merit of this work is left to the judgment of those who may consult it as a book of reference whenever dit culties present themselves to them . My thanks are due to those gentlemen who bave rendered me invaluable help with informations and with books and espe otally to Sriman Pandithoraiswami Thevar who has rendered me timely help in undertaking to publish this elaborato work . I wish him prosperity and success A . SINGARAVELU MUDALIAR Tamil Pardit Pachaiyappa ' s Institution Madras .