However, he did not consider learning Marathi only as a part of his work, but he studied Marathi literature in depth. He was so fascinated by that literature, that he gave importance to translating the work of Marathi saints into English and also composed his own literature in Marathi on the same subject. Justin studied saintly literature in Marathi and read Vedanta philosophy from Sanskrit, as well as discussed it with Vedic scholars. From all these studies he wrote a series of eleven books in Poet Saints of Maharashtra. The words, teachings and literature of Marathi saints were unknown to people in Western countries. In order to make them understand this literature, Justin published his books by translating them in English.

 

 

 

 

This book contains the first published English translation of Mahipati’s Bhakta Vijaya which consists of forty thousand lines of beautiful Marathi poetry. The first task in this Foreword is to introduce the work to English readers by indicating some of the limitations under which this work has been prepared. This English translation of one of the great Marathi classics is published under the provisions of the last will and testament of the late Dr. Justin E. Abbott. He was like a loyal son of Maharashtra who translated important sections of the lives and writings of the Poet Saints of Maharashtra into English. The present work is planned to appear in two volumes, the second being already in the Press. The foundation for these two volumes had been well and truly laid in the completion of the first draft translation by Dr. Abbott before the final stages of bis physical weakness. The scholar spent about eighteen months of the last two years of his life on this task in spite of being a patient. His method of work during those last months was to follow the Marathi text from a volume placed on a movable book-rest attached to his couch or bed, while he dictated his translation into a dictaphone whenever he felt fit for work, a lady attendant afterwards typing off the translation as repeated by the dictaphone. Though kept to his bed continuously for several weeks during this period, sometimes in a serious condition, he nevertheless pursued his task with his usual cheerfulness.