Why Do Authors Write “Do Shabd” Before Their Books?

Question

Sister, one more short question. Often, when an author writes a book, they include a small introduction from their side. Some call it “bhūmikā” (introduction), some “prāk kathana” (foreword).

In your book, I noticed the heading “Do Shabd” (Two Words) before the preface.
That’s my question — is this a traditional practice? I mean, why “two words”? Why not “three words” or “one word”?

Answer

“Do Shabd” has become a symbolic phrase now.
It doesn’t literally mean two words; it simply means a very brief note.

Question

Oh, so it’s like an idiom?

Answer

Yes, exactly. It’s become like an idiomatic expression.
It just means — “a short introduction,” a few lines from the author.

The word “Prāk-kathana” itself means something said before the main text of the book —
“prāk” means before, and “kathana” means statement or narration.

Similarly, “bhūmikā” also means introduction or background.

So when someone writes “Do Shabd” instead of Prāk-kathana or Bhūmikā, it points to the same thing.
It’s just another way of saying — “a few words before the main text.”

Question

I see, so it’s meant to create curiosity about the book?

Answer

Yes, exactly.
You can say it’s the introductory note that arouses interest — it gives a sense of what the book is about, its essence, its importance, and what the author had in mind while writing it.

Just like the short paragraph printed on the back cover of a book — you haven’t opened it yet, but those few lines help you decide if it’s something that interests you or not.

That’s the purpose of “Do Shabd.”