18:15.] Veddnta-Sara, or Essence of the Veddnta. 101 



exact metaphysical meaning of them must remain problematical. Be- 

 sides O. Frank is the disciple of a particular philosophical school, that 

 of Hegel, and has very often coloured the ideas of the original so as to 

 correspond with his own system. I hope, therefore, that I have not 

 undertaken a useless task, in bringing before the public a third trans- 

 lation, in which it has been my constant endeavor to render the original 

 as faithfully as possible. For the language of this translation, I have 

 as a foreigner to solicit the indulgence of the reader ; and, independently 

 of other considerations, it will be remembered, that English in itself 

 presents difficulties, in rendering with exactitude the real force and 

 meaning of Sanscrit philosophical terms. As regards, however, the 

 language of the preface, I am much indebted to the valuable assistance 

 of Mr. H. Torrens, V. P. and Secretary to the Asiatic Society, and 

 I take this opportunity of acknowledging my great obligations to him. 



In publishing this translation, it is my principal object to attract the 

 attention of the public once more to a branch of Hindoo learning, 

 which, successfully cultivated as it was by Colebrooke, has been of late 

 almost entirely neglected. The researches of that eminent scholar, as 

 in other departments, were also with regard to the philosophy of the 

 Hindoos, of the most comprehensive character. He not only gave a 

 general sketch of the different systems of their philosophy, but also 

 a critical introduction into this branch of Hindoo literature, almost 

 entirely unknown before his day. As his labors then created extensive 

 interest in Europe, it is much to be regretted, that these researches 

 were afterwards but lamely followed up. The Germans indeed did as 

 much as the want of material allowed them. I here allude to the 

 researches of the two Schlegels (Fr. and A. W. von) W. V. Humboldt, 

 Ritter, (in his History of Philosophy) 0. Frank, Lassen and others, who 

 published either original texts, or translations, or critical treatises. 

 But however meritorious these labors were, most of them, as founded 

 upon Colebrooke's works, could not much enlarge our information on 

 Hindoo philosophy. For this object the publication of Sanscrit texts, 

 or translations was necessary, which were looked for chiefly from India 

 and England. Here, however, it appears, that the interest in Hindoo 

 philosophy was only enforced by the name of Colebrooke, as with him 

 almost all further investigation ceased; for, with the exception of 

 Professor Wilson, who edited Colebrooke's translation of the Sankhya 



Q 



