Vratas depicted in the Gangajala (study)
by Maitreyee Goswami | 2018 | 55,000 words
This page relates 鈥楢cknowledgement鈥� of the study dealing with the Vratas (vows) depicted in the Gangajala鈥攁 Smriti-Nibandha, i.e., a text belonging to the Kamarupa School of Dharma-shastra literature which deals with social topics, religious rites and local traditions. The term Vrata refers to ritual vows aimed at spiritual and moral purification. This essay explores its socio-religious implications reflecting medieval Assam.
Acknowledgement
At the very out set I offer my deep sense of gratitude to my guide Dr. Dipak Kumar Sharma, former Professor, Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University and presently, Vice-Chancellor, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Nalbari, Assam, under whose supervision I have become able to complete this research project. It is needless to reiterate that without his encouragement and valuable suggestions it would have been difficult to complete the work. I further express my sincere regard to him for his invaluable help received from him in spite of his busy schedule.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to 鈥�Sadasya Mah墨y膩n鈥�, Professor Nabin Chandra Sarma, former Head of the Department, Folklore Research and UGC Emeritus Fellow, Gauhati University, for all the encouragement I have received from him.
I am grateful to my revered teachers Professor Manjula Devi, Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, Professor Nalini Devi Misra, Prof. Sujata Purakayastha, Prof. Mukta Biswas and all other respected teachers of the Department of Sanskrit, Gauhati University, for their valuable suggestions and help in pursuing this research project. I am also thankful to all respected teachers of the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Nalbari, Assam for the encouragement received from them.
I offer sincere gratitude to my father Dr. Basanta Kumar Deva Goswami, former Head of the Department of Sanskrit, Nalbari College and retired Principal, Nalbari Commerce College for his kind support to me. I also offer my thanks to my mother Usha Goswami, Former Head of the Department of Philosophy, Nalbari College for her enormous help in my academic endeavor. My acknowledgement will remain incomplete if I do not thank to my sister Dr. Priyalakshmi Goswami and my brother Bijoy Goswami, Assistant professor AEC, Jalukbari, Assam for their encouragement and help rendered to me. I also offer my thanks to my brother-in-law Dr. Nalin Bihari Deva Choudhary and sister-in-laws Kakoli Sarma and Dr. Monalisha Devi for their help and encouragement.
I must acknowledge the help and support I have received from my father-inlaw Nalini Kumar Sarma and my mother-in-law Nirupama Devi. I also extend my gratefulness to Dr. Nayanjyoti Sarma, my husband who constantly encourages and insists on me to complete the research project. My little son Subha and little niece Kifi indirectly become the source of my inspiration in this work. I am also thankful to Dipankar Das who is constantly helping me in typing the whole thesis apart from his official duties.
Last but not the least, I am sincerely grateful to the authorities and staff of the K.K. Handiqui Library, Gauhati University, the Library of Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University, Nalbari, the Library of the Kamarupa Sanskrit Sanjivani Sabha, Nalbari, the Library of Director of Historical and Antiquarian Studies, Guwahati and the Library of 笔奴谤惫补-叠丑腻谤补迟墨, Nalbari.