"The author does not claim for the period from Parikshit to Bimbisara the same degree of authenticity as for the age of the Mauryas , the Satavahanas and the Guptas . The absence of trustworthy contemporary dynastic records makes it preposterous to put forward such a proposition. In regard to the early period it has been his principal endeavour to show that the huge fabric of sacerdotal and rhapsodic legends is not based solely on the mythical fancy of mendacious priests and story- telling Diaskeuasts ; that bardic tales sometimes conceal kernels of sober facts..."