Acknowledgements
My investigation on the Pāṇḍya dynasty, as a preliminary submission for a research proposal, resulted in the project “The Fish on Mount Meru”: regionalism and Sanskrit cosmopolis in Pāṇḍya identity and dynastic auto-perception from the Caṅkam era to the 17th century (registration number: 2019/32/C/HS2/00048). The present book derives from the realisation of this project; I would like to express my gratitude to the National Science Centre (ncn, Poland) for the possibility of conducting this research and for the kind financial support provided.
I would like to thank the Jagiellonian University, its authorities and, especially, the Faculty of Philology, not only for the generous chance to implement this project as an employee of one of the most prestigious universities in Poland, but also for its support and the serene working climate that framed these years of my research.
Many individuals have contributed in many different ways to this project. In primis, my thanks go to Professor Lidia Sudyka, who has guided and followed my work for many years, since the beginning of my doctoral studies in 2014. She was the first who showed interest in my investigations on the Pāṇḍyas, and, once again, the first who heartily encouraged me to pursue this avenue of research. My deepest gratitude, esteem and appreciation go to her, the person who, by doctrine and example, taught me what a scholar ought to be.
My gratitude goes also to Professor Jacek Woźniak (Warsaw University), with whom I have exchanged many thoughts and ideas. He helped me in reading many Tamil passages and always put his expertise at my disposal; his patience and kindness have also restrained my hasty impetuosity in interpreting and translating Tamil poetry. Similarly, my acknowledgments go to my colleague—but, above all, my dear friend—Dr Ilona Kędzia-Warych, who patiently initiated me into the world of Tamil grammar: thank you, Cūhā.
A nostalgic thought goes to Professor Alexander Dubyanskiy (Moscow University); our conversations and exchange of emails about the Pāṇḍyas will always stay in the dearest corners of my memory.
Thanks go to Charlotte Schmid, Valérie Gillet, Leslie Orr, Anna Seastrand, Crispin Branfoot, Indira Viswanathan Peterson and Richard Davis for their constructive criticism, their comments and their encouragement to proceed with my work. I am so grateful for the help of all these individuals; nevertheless, all the imprecisions or mistakes in the present book must be imputed only and exclusively to me.
On a more personal tone: my thanks go to Daniele, my first colleague at the University of Milan a long time ago, who then became my dearest friend and travel companion, who followed my work from distant lands. Thank you for everything. I had never expected I could possibly earn the friendship of such an extraordinary man.
This book is dedicated to three persons. Firstly, my mother, I., who supported me (and occasionally withstood my temper) not only during this long adventure, but since the moment I opened my eyes to the world, no matter what or when. I dedicate this book to you, a model of love, strength, firmness, integrity and endless courage. Thank you for everything you have given and taught me.
Secondly, there are no words I could possibly use to express the gratitude I have for my colleague, best friend, but most of all, my wife Hermina. A long time ago, that first and brief moment in Kraków that sounded infinite has changed the course of everything. I could not possibly have finished this work without you. Your patience, love and support have been more than a person could possibly ask of someone else. Thank you, for making me a better scholar and, more importantly, a better man every day. Thank you, because you make everything I do possible.
Last, but not least, this book is dedicated to the loving memory of E., my second generous, kindest, selfless mother:
Here now have you […] this idle work of mine. You desired me to doo it, and your desire, to my hart is an absolute commandement. Now, it is done onelie for you, onely to you …