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commendable discretion, and that so far as the main facts of Asoka's life and times are concerned, he has faithfully followed that book. The chief lessons from the life of that great Emperor that an ugly exterior can be a shell to intellectual and moral eminence, and that blood thirsty ambition can under the potent influence of a living faith and by divine grace through miracles, be transformed into humanitarian piety, have been brought out with such vividness that they cannot fail to make a deep impression on the minds of the reader.
When I have mentioned these outstanding features of the book, I have not exhausted all its merits. But I am sure I have said enough to commend the book to the Telugu reading public especially the student population. I trust the book will find a wide circle of readers, even without its being prescribed an Examination pill.
I trust the gifted author of this book will, ere long contribute more of such books and also treatises on Scientific subjects to the Telugu literary world and lead it into healthy channels of reading.
At the special request of the Publisher, I have written this foreword in English.
A. JAYARAM RAO B.A.,L.T.
