We have great pleasure in presenting to the world of scholars the first part of the first volume of the Krina-Yajurveda-Taittiriya-Samhita (Kanda I Prapathakas 1-4) with critically edited texts of the commentaries of Bhatta- Bhaskara Misra and Sayanacarya thereon.
The project of the present publication was contemplated long long ago in 1944, when the fourth volume of the critically edited text of Sayana's comm- entary on the Rgveda was in press. The plan of the Rgveda was brought to a successful completion in 1951 with the publication of its Index Volume and thereafter, after a pretty long period, the scheme of the present publication began to take shape. The publication of this part is an outcome of the same.
We are aware of the fact that the publication of this volume is much delayed. This delay which is caused by various factors over which we had no control, is sincerely regretted. The delay was mainly caused by shortness of funds. Secondly, the Poona floods in 1961 also gave a severe blow to our efforts in enlisting public support and the progress of the printing. The working of the printing press-Veda Vidya Mudranalaya-where we used to get the work done, was utterly deranged and it could not be restored to its usual capa- city. No other press in the city and in the nearby localities was prepared to undertake the complicated work of Sanskrit printing. Fortunately our parent- body, the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Poona, came to our help by erect- ing a small printing press, especially to execute the Sanskrit work and in course of time, after many a difficulty, the printing work was commenced. On account of the fact as noted above and many other unforeseen difficulties, the Mandala could not present to the world of scholars, even a part of the present work so long.
Before the undertaking of this project, the commentary of Bhatta Bhaskara and that of Sayana on the Taittiriya Samhita (TS) had already appeared in printed form. Bhatta Bhaskara Misra's Commentary on the TS was printed in Bibliotheca Sanskrita of the Government Oriental Library Series, Mysore, during 1894-98, and was based on the then available few manuscripts. But it had gone out of print.