Manuscript is used for recitation and study and is a collection of poetic aphorisms by the well-known poet-philosopher Bhartṛhari. The text is divided into three parts, each consisting of a little more than one hundred (śataka) verses, each an aphorism on one of three themes. Part one is Nītiśataka or one hundred aphorisms on morality. Part 2 is Śṛṅgāraśataka or one hundred aphorisms on sexual desire. Part 3 is Vairāgyaśataka or one hundred aphorisms on detachment or aversion to passions. Manuscript lacks a beginning and starts on verse 15 of Part 1. The work may have been part of a larger collection of poetry or philosophy and/or part of a larger anthology of works by Bhartṛhari since the foliation count begins at folio 35 and could not account for the missing verses of Part 1.
5th-century philosopher and poet known especially for his work on theories of language.; Title supplied by cataloger; title of Part 1, Nītiśataka, from internal colophon (f. 41v); title of Part 2 Śr̥ngāraśataka from internal colophon (f. 49r); tile of Part 3, Vairāgyaśataka, from final colophon (f. 58r).; Scribe is Taradatta (f. 58v).; Written in 10 lines per leaf.; 24 leaves foliated 35-58, upper left and lower right verso.; Table of contents: Nītiśataka -- Śṛṅgāraśataka -- Vairāgyaśataka.; Colophon: iti bhartṛharikṛtau vairāgyaśatakasamāptam // (f. 58r).; Mistakes covered over in yellow or blacked out; some corrections and additions in margins; significant syllables, words, or phrases highlighted in red throughout; vertical margins marked with quadruple black line.; In Sanskrit (Devanāgarī)
Physical Location:
Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Manuscripts, Ms. Coll. 390 Item 496
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