Books published by The Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies

The more than two dozen Rai languages in eastern Nepal, which make up the larger part of the Kiranti language family, are linguistically highly varied. This volume for the first time brings together different variants of myths from various Rai languages, presenting them with linguistic glossings in interlinear translations.

"The Law Code of Visnu" ("Vaisnava-dharmasastra") is one of the of the ancient Indian legal texts composed around the seventh century ce in Kashmir. This title contains a critical edition of the Sanskrit text based on fifteen manuscripts, an annotated English translation, and an introduction evaluating its textual history.

Bhaviveka's (ca 500-560 CE) "Verses on the Heart of the Middle Way" (Madhyamakahrdayakarika) with their commentary, known as "The Flame of Reason" ("Tarkajvala"), give an account of the intellectual differences that stirred the Buddhist community. This title offers a translation of Chapters 4 and 5 of this text.

Dating to the first half of the first millennium BCE, the Katha Aranyaka is a ritualistic and speculative text that deals with a dangerous Vedic ritual that provides its sponsor with a new body after death. In a new critical edition, Michael Witzel presents this work which transitions the Vedic ritual into the philosophy of the Upanishads.