Sanskrit is one of the finest languages in the world. Its literature is vast, varied and enriching. It encompasses a variety of genres and has given rise to some of the most enduring classics in world literature such as the Kathasaritsagara, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Natyashastra, Shukra Niti, Kumarasambhavam, Meghadutam, Parshvabhyudayah, Adi Purana, Upamiti Bhavaprapanca Katha, Shishupala Vadham, Dashakumara Caritam, Yashastilakam, etc.
 
Unfortunately, despite being widely revered, Sanskrit is known to far too few people. Hence, a wide majority of people are deprived from imbibing the nectarous writings accessible to those who know Sanskrit.
 
With this in mind, several decades ago, many Sanskrit classics were abridged and translated. They were initially published as slim booklets. On public demand, these slim booklets were collated and printed in this handsome edition of four volumes. This set of books has been subsidised by the Government of India. Hence the low price.
 
A list of the Sanskrit classics given in each volume:
 
Volume 1
कादम्बरी  Kadambari
उत्तररामचरित  Uttararamacarita
वेणीसंहार  Venisamhara
शकुन्तला  Shakuntala
मृच्छकटिक  Mricchakatika
मुद्राराक्षस  Mudrarakshasa
नलोदय  Nalodaya
रघुवंश  Raghuvamsha
नागानन्द  Nagananda
मालविकाग्निमित्र  Malavikagnimitra
स्वप्नवासवदत्त  Svapavasavadatta
हर्षचरित  Harshacarita
किरातार्जुनीय  Kiratarjuniya
दशकुमारचरित  Dashakumaracarita
विक्रमोर्वशी  Vikramorvashi
मेघदूत  Meghaduta
मालतीमाधव  Malatimadhavam
शिशुपालवध  Shishupalavadham
बुद्धचरित  Buddhacaritam
 
Volume 2
कुमारसम्भवम्  Kumarasambhavam
महावीरचरितम्  Mahaviracaritam
रत्नावली  Ratnavali
पञ्चरात्र  Pancaratra
प्रियदर्शिका  Priyadarshika
वासवदत्ता  Vasavadatta
रावणवधम्  Ravanavadham
सौन्दरनन्दम्  Saundaranandam
कुन्दमाला  Kundamala
यशस्तिलकम्  Yashastilakam
तिलकमञ्जरी  Tilakamanjari
प्रतिमनाटकम्  Pratimanatakam
नैषधचरितम्  Naishadhacaritam
चम्पू भारतम्  Campu Bharatam
प्रतिज्ञा यौगन्धरायण  Pratijna Yaugandharayana
 
Volume 3
देवीचन्द्रगुप्त  Devicandragupta
भगवदज्जुकम्  Bhagavadajjukam
मत्तविलास  Mattavilasa
तापस्वत्सराज  Tapasavatsaraja
चण्डकौशिकम्  Candakaushikam
कौमुदीमित्रानन्दम्  Kaumudimitranandam
मल्लिकामकरन्दम्  Mallika-Makarandam
प्रबुद्धरौहिणेय  PrabuddhaRauhineya
करुणावज्रायुध  KarunaVajrayudha
हम्मीरमदमर्दनम्  Hammiramadamardanam
सुबालावज्रतुण्ड  Subalavajratunda
भर्तृहरिनिर्वेद  Bhartriharinirveda
 
Volume 4
अमृतमन्थन उपाख्यान  Amritamanthan Upakhyana
सावित्री उपाख्यान  Savitri Upakhyana
ययाति उपाख्यान  Yayati Upakhyana
शकुन्तला उपाख्यान  Shakuntala Upakhyana
नल उपाख्यान  Nala Upakhyana
विष्णुदास उपाख्यान  Vishnudasa Upakhyana
भिक्षु आनन्द उपाख्यान  Bhikshu Ananda Upakhyana
वीतशोक उपाख्यान  Vitashoka Upakhyana
कुणाल उपाख्यान  Kunala Upakhyana
केशीध्वज उपाख्यान  Keshidhvaja Upakhyana
विष्णुदास उपाख्यान  Vishnudasa Upakhyana
कुट्टनीमत  Kuttanimata
चक्रपाणिविजय  Cakrapanivijaya
समयमात्रृका  Samayamatrika
कालिदास प्रबन्ध  Kalidasa Prabandha
माघ कवि कथा  Magha Kavi Katha
हम्मीर महाकाव्य  Hammira Mahakavya
विक्रमवेताल  Vikrama-Vetala
भरटक कथा  Bharataka Katha
नयिनी कथा  Nayini Katha
भोज चरित्र  Bhoja Caritra
कालिदास कथा  Kalidasa Katha
नन्द उपाख्यान  Nanda Upakhyana
गङ्गा अवतरण  Ganga Avatarana
सेकशुभोदय  Sekashubhodaya
 
All these wonderful classics have been translated into simple Hindi. The first two volumes were edited by Vishnu Prabhakar and the next two by Radhavallabh Tripathi. This collection is perfect for readers of all age groups.
 
It is hoped that by reading this set of abridged classics, readers will not only get a glimpse of the lustre of Sanskrit literature, but also become motivated to study the language.