அபிதான சிந்தாமணி/PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION
GENTLEMEN AND LOVERS OF TAMIL LITERATURE,
I began to write this 'Abithana Chintamani, the Encyclopædia of Tamil Literature, some twenty years ago. For the materials of this book, I went 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 sketches of deities, saints and other illustrious personages. (2) Descriptive and explanatory notes on places of sanctity 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 extant. (8) Genealogy of the principal characters that figure in our annals. (9) Origin of precious stones. (10) Physiognomy, 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. short, the work is the compendium of the results of vast research in Tamil Literature presented in the form which would facilitate reference—a 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 monthly 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 was thus dejected and disheartened, one of my leaflets reached the hands of Sriman Pandithoraiswami Thevar, the President-Founder of Madura Tamil Sangam and Zemindar of Palavanatham, Ramnad. He came to Madras, looked into some portions of the book and kindly consented to publish this work. I shall not expatiate on the various troubles and difficulties that I have under- gone in writing and publishing this work. The merit of this work is left to the judgment of those who may consult it as a book of reference whenever difculties present themselves to them. My thanks are due to those gentlemen who have rendered me invaluable help with informations and with books and especially to Sriman Pandithoraiswami Thevar who has rendered me timely help in undertaking to publish this elaborato work. I wish him prosperity and success.
Tamil Pandit, Pachaiyappa's Institution, Madras.