There are many technical words and phrases in the Hindu philosophical works like Upanishads. Srimad Bhagavatam, Brahma Sutras, Narada Bhakti Sutras and Puranas. These words and phrases do not all of them appear in the Dictionaries. When they do appear, only the meaning is word for word, so much so, the inner meaning or the correct meaning is not brought out fully. There are several commentaries in Sanskrit by eminent commentators like Shri Sankaracharya, Sriman Ramanujacharya, Sriranga Ramanuja and others. These commentaries explain the meaning of such words clearly so that one who goes through them can have a definite idea. All the above mentioned works deal with GOD in all his various aspects. It will be difficult for one to look for meanings in the several commentaries as all these works may not be available at a place at a time. So, I wanted to put these words and phrases together in one book, arrange the words in alphabetical order for ready reference. Against each word I have quoted an extract from the commentaries explaining the meaning of each word as understood by our ancient Rishis. As far as possible, for every quotation I have cited the authority for it.
As there are many such words in the Sanskrit commentary extract and its meaning is to be given against each word and commentaries are quoted from several authors, some words and phrases have been explained at length. Although the meaning is the same in almost all the commentaries, the expression in words is different. To my knowledge no one has attempted a work of this kind so far. I hope this will meet the needs of several people with a philosophical bent of mind in trying to gain a correct insight into GOD and CREATION which means everything on the face of the earth.
A very small portion of this with the same title as now, appeared in a monthly journal entitled “DIVYA JEEVANAM” edited by Shri N.S.V.RAO, Principal, Polytechnnic, Tanuku for about two years. The publication of this monthly ceased on the retirement of Shri Rao. The scope of “AKSHAMALA” has since been enlarged and brought out in the present form.
Mangu Koneti Rao
విషయసూచిక
My father Late Shri Mangu Koneti Rao had spent about 25 years after his retirement in the year 1960 in writing what he named as AKSHAMALA - VEDANTA SABDARDHA RATNAMALA. The entire work is about GOD and His Creation. He referred to many Sanskrit books such as UPANISHATS, BAGAVADGEETA, WORKS OF RAMANUJA, SRIRANGA RAMANUJA, SRI SANKARAH etc., and gave extensive Telugu meanings to various SLOKAS in these works. Not only Slokas, he picked up several words and phrases appearing in these Hindu Philosophical Works and gave extensive and elaborate meanings in telugu to these words. He copied his entire work in 64 foolscap size ruled registers totaling about 5090 pages. He completed the work in December, 1993.
A few pages of his work were seen by two eminent persons namely Shri Neti Srirama Sarma, Reader, Dept. of Telugu, Nagarjuna University, Nagarjunanagar, 522510 (dated 22-10-88) and Dr. M.T.Alwar, Sanskrit Lecturer, APRJC, Nagarjunanagar. Their appreciative letters are appended.
As the books have become very old and the papers are getting brittle and tearing off, we thought of getting it published for what it is worth so that the entire effort put by him does not go waste without seeing the light of the day and gets lost with time. My wife Smt. M.Suguna and myself went to Hyderabad and tried at various places Viz., Telugu University, Telugu Academy, and some other Publishers. We even sent a few pages (xeroxed) to the Chairman, Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthaanam. All our efforts did not fructify as nobody came forward to take up the job, perhaps the subject matter being what it is, although we made it clear that we are not interested in any remuneration by way of Royalty.
Under the circumstances, myself and my next brother Dr. M.V.Srinivasa Rao, Retd. Professor from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai have decided to some how bring our father’s work to light at least for the benefit of those few who have a religious bent of mind. I have started typing the matter using Telugu Lipi Editor, a software developed by Shri Sirigina Srinivas of Kovvur who stays in USA. My brother took up the entire job of scanning the books, store them on computer and put them on CDs. In this context, I profusely thank Sri Sirigina Srinavas for allowing me to use his software freely and who had also even given me a Registration Number. My brother had completed scanning of all the 62 books and I completed typing all the books. The meanings given in different ways are quite lengthy and appear repetitive. Even so, the books are being typed on ‘as is basis’ without pruning or editing.
As bringing them in the form of a book is out of question, my son Shri M.V. Srinivas Rao, an Architect staying in Los Angeles USA, has developed a website named www://Akshamala.org and he had included all the 62 manuscript books and 3 Books of typed versions. The printed version of the books is being uploaded periodically. My elder son Col. M. Ramesh used to help me in copying the typed books on CDs whenever I used to visit him and stay with him and also transfer them into PDF format on word star (?).
In this context, I would like to say that I did not study Sanskrit. I had only Telugu Prose, Poetry, Non-detailed etc in my Intermediate Class (those days after 11th Class known as SSLC). As such, I might have committed mistakes in identifying correctly various Sanskrit words and typing especially the Sanskrit Slokas, some words - letter over letter and some letter over letter over letter etc. The original manuscript books are also there to crosscheck. Hence, the Readers may please bear with such mistakes that might have crept in, in recognizing and typing the difficult Sanskrit words. Despite this, the Readers, we hope, will derive some benefit by going through these books.
Dated 1st Feb. 2012. M.V. Joga Rao
Questions, corrections, or memories about the manuscript — messages go directly to the family. Your message is not shown publicly, and the family's email address stays private.