REVIEWS
Srimad
Bhagavatam: Translated by
To
translate an epic or a classic in Sanskrit into English requires more than the
usual abilities. No doubt the basic needs are a deep knowledge
of the two languages, skill in the art and adequacy of expression. But more
than these, one should possess that something which cannot be acquired
by the outer sense alone. What may not be apprehended merely by the eye and
ear, the mental capacity which comes from a sympathetic appreciativeness of
literature in all aspects, will prove a gift which will render its possesor a more accurate translator than many other with
twice his powers and means of expression without that subtle comprehension.
Sri
N. Raghunathan has been an ardent student of Sanskrit
literature and a competent writer in English, wielding a powerful pen for turns
of expression in that language. His life-long devotion to the epics and
classics and his more than a scholarly interest in the Srimad
Bhagavatam, have enabled him to take up the
stupendous of translation of the work. If it had been
to an ordering internal authority, may be the fullness of heart in its
performance could have been missed. Because of an inner urge cherished for long
to help similar students of literature to find an immense soulful satisfaction
from that classic–which is indeed a source of supreme mental
peace–has solely been responsible for his
undertaking is labour of love.
The Bhagavatam has with rare exceptions been related well into some of the regional languages. In an English garb perhaps one or two attempts, not even always from beginning to end, have seen the light of day. No doubt a Swami of the Ramakrishna Order did a translation into English years back which was deemed good by the reading public. It is beset with difficulties to begin a translation of the Bhagavatam, since it is often rugged in portions even as it runs smooth and enticing at many other places. The entire canvas bears a continuing picture of the Lord’s manifestation with high-lighting of the episodes of the divine child, Sri Krishna. A close reader cannot fail, after one or two vain attempts, to dwell with great delight and to be drawn into the higher mood of unquestioning to the personality of Sri Krishna. Unless one is imbued with an entirely absorbed intuition into the mystical afflatus he cannot also produce the same effect as the original in Sanskrit. The scholar in Sri Raghunathan has nowhere been caught lacking unawares in his interpretation of the philosophical meaning underlying some of the terse passages in the text. Sridhara’s philosophical commentary with its slant to Advaita has thoroughly aided the translator with a keenness in making those portions in the English easily understandable. What may sometimes thwart the reader in pursuing with confidence the trend of the philosophy gets removed in this translation, however indolent his endeavour may be, to approach his study of the book in earnestness.
To
select passages of resonance and harmony in the English rendering such as of
the famous episodes of the Gopika-Geeta or Bhramara-Geeta or the Raasa-Creeda
or the description of the vernal bloom of the sylvan scene–all will be
assuredly a rewarding experience for any discerning student. The ordeal of
translation of a massive piece of writing such as the Srimad
Bhagavatam in order not to be a dragging monotony for
both the eye and the spirit, especially in another language as the English,
demands a special quality in the rendering. Sri Raghunathan
possesses it, for which he has to be recognised with
gratitude and fullness of heart.
One
must also express a word of appreciation of the introduction to the two
volumes. In a succinct yet very informing account of the genesis, date and the Bhakti tradition that the Srimad Bhagavatam has generated in the land, he has shown the need
for an intelligent reader becoming aware of the justification for its high
place in the Puranic lore. At the same time he has
not failed to interpret some of the controverted
points of the Lord’s play with the Gopis in his own
profoundly elucidating manner.
–K.
CHANDRASEKHAR
Perspectivism
in Art: By Jerry I. Jacobson. Philosophical
Library / N. C. New York-10016. Price: $ 8-75.
This
refreshingly new approach to the problems of Philosophy by the author is
highly inviting reading for all who are receptive to new ideas and
revolutionary ways of living. Perspectivism is a new
trend in philosophical thought. With deep insight and in persuasive style Mr.
Jacobson, the author, delves with ease into the different spheres of thought,
scientific and secular, to disclose the potentialities and actualities of men
yet unknown.
The
volume goes into two broad parts with two sections in the first part and one in
the second. The first part examines the foundations of knowledge along with the
doctrines of Technological Dynamism–in more than a hundred pages
covering as many as twenty topics. There is a section devoted
to Yoga (101-104). The second part under the caption “Foundations of the
Ethical Perspective” deals about our social problems in the context of the
philosophy of perspectivism. The centre
of interest is art, yet a large number of problems relating to justice and
legality, on education, politics and economics, good and bad values on
unemployment are discussed. Each topic tackles the issue straight and furnishes
a solution. The solution may not be acceptable to all. There is completeness in
the presentation. The reading of the book affords a pleasant intellectual
pastime for all earnest minds interested in values.
–DR P. NAGARAJA
RAO
The Universal Flame: Edited
by L. H. Leslie Smith. Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, Madras-600020. Price: Rs.
20.
The
sumptuous and substantial volume under notice is to mark the commemoration of
the centenary celebrations of the Theosophical Society,
admirably edited by Mr. Leslie Smith. The book contains twenty-one good
articles on the different aspects of Theosophy and the writings of Blavatsky, the founder. Theosophy is acclaimed
as the wisdom religion, the most ancient universal philosophy known to man. Its
basic concepts are ‘The unity of all religions,’ ‘The fellowship of Faiths,’
‘Brotherhood of man’, ‘The Concept of human evolution,’ etc. They are presented
by the contributors in terms that are easily comprehensible to all. The
different doctrines of Theosophy are not merely dogmatically stated but are
also explained in the light of the confirming evidence from various sources.
The doctrine of Karma is explained in all its aspects, setting aside its cruel,
crude and uninformed critics’ denunciations. The different
articles explain in a delightful way the genius, the deep insight and the
wisdom of Blavatsky
and its several implications for our age. The seven principles, the seven types
of bodies and the development of the different phases in the human
consciousness are well dealt with at considerable length. The volume carries
excerpts from the inaugural addresses of the six presidents of the society,
during the last hundred years. The book is a fitting publication, describing
the work of a reform movement in religion sponsored by a Russian would toiled by Besant for
–DR P. NAGARAJA
RAO
Tyagopanishad:
By E. N. Purushothaman. The Andhra Pradesh Sangeetha
Nataka Akademi, Kala Bhavan, Saifabad,
Hyderabad-500004. Price: Rs. 20.
This
book is a reprint of 125 essays written by the author on individual Kritis of Tyagaraja and published
in a serial form in the Indian Express. The author had originally
selected the songs according to their contents and it is unfortunate that they
have been re-arranged in the alphabetical order in the present publication. As
a result, the sequence of references made in the commentaries has been lost.
Although
couched in simple, homely Telugu, the Kritis of Tyagaraja defy translation even into the other Indian
tongues and much more so into English. Besides, most of his disciples were Tamilians, without an adequate knowledge of Telugu, and
when they committed the songs to writing, a number of scribal errors crept in
and they are still there. Tyagaraja borrowed
incidents and traditions from Ramayanas other than Valmiki’s and there is no use of trying to locate them in Valmiki’s epic. It is no wonder, therefore, that most of
the scholars and books consulted by the author could not
enlighten him on the doubtful points. Tillaisthanam Narasimha Bhagavatar, who
published the first edition of Tyagaraja Kritis in the Telugu script in 1908, was in a similar
predicament but after much study, he has given useful footnotes in his edition.
Mr. purushothaman does not appear
to have consulted this edition.
In
addition to a free rendering of the Kritis into
English and a commentary, the author has chosen individual words, names and
anecdotes for a more detailed examination and comparative study. But, in this
process, he has created more doubts in the minds of the reader than the ones he
has cleared. He could have surely traced the story of Kakasura
who was none else than Jayanta, the son of Indra, although his appearance in the Sita
incident is inexplicable. The Kritis should have been
taken as a whole and not dissected word by word as the author has do.
Mr.
Purushothaman is a genuine devotee of Tyagaraja and has taken enormous
pains to interpret the Kritis for the benefit of the
English-reading public. He has consulted nearly 50 books although
extensive quotations from some of them, furnished in the book, are perhaps not
quite relevant.
More
care should have been taken in bringing out this prestige publication. The book
bristles with scores of printing mistakes. The author
himself has profusely apologized for these mistakes. The author should have
adopted the standardized spelling for the transliteration of Sanskrit words. Spellings
like Naaradha, Dhuryodhana,
Bharatha and Naadha (for Narada, Duryodhana, Bharata and Nada) hurt the eye.
Tyagaraja is a composer,
philosopher and a great Bhakta of Srirama.
The author has covered practically all the characteristic features of Tyagaraja in his selection of the Kritis.
He deserves congratulations for his sincere efforts in the
study of Tyagaraja. The A. P. Sangeeta
Nataka Akademi has done
great service to the cause of Karnatak music in
Publishing this book.
–T.
S. PARTHASARATHI
The Buddhist Concept of
Hell: By Daigan and Matsunaga. Philosophical Library, New York. Price: $ 4-95.
The origin of
the concept of hell, its historical development and its philosophical
significance in Buddhism are exhaustively dealt with in this book.
The
oldest references to hell date back to Rigveda where
it was described as ‘a land of chaos,’ ‘a land of destruction and despair’ and
ordinary mortals who died were believed to go to the land of forefathers (pitr) and it was considered as the place of demons,
sorcerers and conspirators.
The
after-world was regarded as the ‘Extenuation’ of life on earth, i.e., a
continuation of life on earth without its disadvantages. When man became aware
of dreadful chasm between life and death, he plumped for the safety and
security of mundane existence as against the promised rewards in heaven.
Despite
this increased awareness of death, ‘no clean notions of hell, judgment,
transmigration’ did crystallize. The famous statements in Satapatha Brahmana, ‘for whatever
food a man eats in this world, by the very same is he eaten again’ and ‘a man
is born into the world that he has made,’ gave birth to retributive concept,
which envisaged joys for the good and punishment for the wicked.
Similarly,
the views, that actions pleasant or unpleasant survive the physical destruction
and that man creates his own future, developed from the memorable dialogue
attributed to Yajnavalkya and Jaralkarava
Artabhaga in Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad, cleared the way for the concept of Karma and reincarnation which
caught the imagination of the people throughout India.
These
popular beliefs made their way into Buddhist philosophy in general, whether it
is of Abhidharmascholastics, Madhyamitas,
Vijnanavadins or of Mahayanists. Only the fatalistic
tendencies of Karma theory did not go down with them. There is no lasting
‘self’ in their religious language except ceaseless change. Karma is held to be
the be-all and end-all of existence and the only thread of continuity linking
varied incarnations, that rise and fade away into death, as a result of
changing causes and conditions.
Repeated
births are visualised as happening due to
differentiation of subject and object without fully comprehending the
interdependence and inter-relatedness of all existents which in Buddhistic vocabulary is ‘Pratitya
Samutpada.’ Once this revelation dawns in the mind of
man, he attains Nirvana. To rise to such a spiritual height one should practise ‘Kusala Karma’
(wholesome conduct) completely rid of egocentric delusions and clinging to
worldly things.
But
for the layman, the indoctrination of the philosophical significance
of ego, wholesome conduct, worlds of pollution and purification is well-nigh
impossible. So the hell-device is brought in with its vivid tortures corresponding
to good or bad actions performed to encourage virtue in them and
make them overcome ‘birth and death’ and get the desired enlightenment or
‘enter the stream.’
–K.
SUBBA RAO
Sri Brihat
Bhagavatamritam: By Sri Sanatana Goswami. Sri Gaudiya Math, Madras-600014.
Price: Rs. 15.
This
is an English translation of the original in Sanskrit written by Sri Sanatana Goswami a direct
disciple by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
The first seven chapters deal with “the assertainment
of the gist of kindness” and the remaining seven chapters describe “the
transcendental glory of Goloka” the kingdom of Sri
Krishna. The main thesis of the work is that the “bliss if at
all there is in Moksha of a self-realised
Jnani is but a drop in the ocean of
Bliss of God-realisation of a devotee.” Realisation of the transcendental Bliss in Goloka should be our aim and Naama
Samkirtana is the means for that. Jivas
are simultaneously in eternal distinction and non-distinction in relation to
the Supreme.
In
the first part of the book, a devotee’s progress from this mundane
plane to the Goloka is described. A translation of
Brahma stotra in Srimad Bhagavatam is added to the text. A life sketch
of the author is given in the foreword. Sri Gaudiya
Math richly deserves our praise for publishing this translation which is a must
for all Vaishnavas. How we wish that the original
work in Sanskrit and Vaishnavatoshini another work of
the author are also published for enlightening the Sanskrit-knowing devotees
also.
–SANDILYA
The Tragic Hero in
Shakespeare - The dramatic signification of his isolation:
By Urmila Khanna. Orient Longmans Ltd., Madras-2, Price: Rs.
18-00.
Dr
Urmila Khanna’s book ‘The
Tragic Hero in Shakespeare’ is a welcome addition to the existing pile on
the topic. Whosoever reads Shakespeare from a particular point of view imposes his
own pattern on Shakespeare because he holds no theory of his own and means all
things to all. Here is a fresh attempt to find a pattern, common to
all major tragedies of Shakespeare.
The
greatest merit of the work under consideration is not so much in originality of
discovery as in its success in avoiding staleness of thought and expression.
Dr
Urmila Khanna’s main
concern here is to study the dramatic significance of the isolation on the part
of Shakespeare’s heroes. She does not set out to propound a new theory of
Shakespearean tragedy though she denies substance to Bradleyan
tragedy of Shakespeare and T. S. Eliot’s vicious Elizabethan hero. In her
conclusion she suggests that her concept of tragic hero might fruitfully be
traced back to the world of mythology, described by Campbell in his Hero
with Thousand Faces, in which the hero is the champion of creative life and
the dragon to be slain by him is the monster of the status quo” (page
103). She seems to incline to the view that Shakespeare’s tragic plays are as
much tragedies as they are debates, no doubt endless ones. Perhaps it is this
open approach that is responsible for the choice of the theme of isolation
instead of a problem for solution.
Dr
Urmila Khanna devotes a
chapter for each of the major tragedies of Shakespeare–Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, Antony and
Cleopatra, Corialanus–for detailed study of the cause
and consequences of the respective type of dramatic isolation. Her scheme of
study does not permit to include Othello. According to her Othello has
‘more a sociological than a tragic significance’. While other tragic heroes
like Hamlet search for identity Othello ‘negates’ his identity. This
identity, we remember, is national identity. Hence it follows that which is
significant at individual level has no value and validity at national level.
“His death”, she says, “involves no national destinies; he is a foreigner who
is discarded by Venice without any social upheaval.” While we appreciate the
logic of it, we wonder whether by the same token it is not right to discuss
Julius Caesar as a tragic hero as he does not suffer the loss of identity at
any level and the consequences of his assassination were dire and disastrous.
We wonder why she should consider Brutus as the hero of the play and find him
wanting the weakness which Macbeth has?
Lucidity
of thought and expression, forceful presentation of argument together with
soundness of scholarship mark the book and make it eminently readable.
–DR
G. SRIRAMA MURTY
Essentials of Vedanta: By
G. Srinivasan. Bangalore
Printing and Publishing Co., Mysore Road,
Bangalore-18. Price: Rs. 6.
A
concise and accurate presentation of the three schools of Vedanta, e.g., Advaita of Shankara, Visishtadvaita of Ramanuja, Dvaita of Madhva. After giving a
helpful background of the Vedanta thought, the author traces the main doctrines
of the three systems and then draws attention to the
philosophy of Purna Advaita
of Sri Aurobindo in recent times, reconciling the spiritual bases of all of
them.
Dr
Srinivasan points out that in Sri Aurobindo’s
approach to the integral Reality, the transcendent and the universal states are
not contradictory but complementary to each other. Secondly, the “concept of avidya is explained by locating it in the
cosmic evolutionary process of Brahman or the Infinite Spirit.” Thirdly,
“Brahman assumes not only the dynamic, universal status through a process of
self-differentiation but also the individual status of an infinite number of
souls through a process of self-multiplication without however being divided
between them.” He explains further how Sri Aurobindo bridges the gulf between
Soul and Nature, Brahman and the Universe without allowing any original
falsifying power to convict the cosmos of unreality, ultimate or otherwise.
–M.
P. PANDIT
Know Thyself: By
S. S. Haksar. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay-7 Price: Rs. 6.
‘Self’
to the author does not mean only the soul inhabiting the individual body. It
means the reality, the truth of oneself and of others, the truth of this
world and of other worlds. The Self in this context is the omnipresent reality
which manifests itself in diverse forms for the play of the manifestation of
its inherent powers and potentialities. What precisely is this Self, in what
sense it constitutes the essence and also the form of this universe, forms the
subject of the first part of the book. The factors that blind man to the vision
and experience of truth and mar his efforts for happiness and peace are
described in the second part. The third part discusses the four main lines of
effort that have been developed for self-perfection and self-realisation, e.g., paths of Knowledge, Action, Devotion and
Meditation. The treatment is broad-based and couched in terms acceptable to the
modern national mind.
–M.
P. PANDIT
Meditation: By
Monks of the Ramakrishna order. Sri Ramakrishna Math, Madras-4. Price: Rs. 4-75.
It
is good that this Indian edition has been brought out and the writings by
various Monks of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission in
England and America, on Meditation are made available to readers in this
country. Indeed there are many books these days on Yoga and Meditation, but few
can compare with this publication in its authenticity and
understanding of the difficulties of the practitioners.
The
discussion is simple and graded. The climate for meditation, the preliminaries
like mental purity, physical facility emotional readiness are first dwelt upon.
Then follow instructions on the lines of the Yoga of Patanjali.
The science of Mantra, the theory and practice of Kundalini
and the scientific bases of these concepts form the subject-matter of a
separate chapter by Swami Ghanananda. This is by far
the most important and comprehensive contribution to the volume. Meditations
from classics like the Upanishads are added to help the seeker get into the
spirit of the communion. Swami Yogeshananda is
extremely helpful in what he writes about the role of the Guru in Sadhana. “If the disciple is ready,” he concludes, “the
Guru will appear; he will come to us. The summons is our earnestness.”
–M.
P. PANDIT
Toward the Maitreyan Revolution: By Karl Heussenstamm. International Co-operation
Council, 17819, Roscoe Blvd., Northridge Calif., USA. Price: 5 Dollars.
The
author is a dynamic worker in the cause of world unity and is engaged in active
coordination of the activities of various organisations
wedded to this ideal. He believes in the emergence of the Universal Man as the
next step in the human evolution. This advent of ‘Maitreya’
is being heralded by significant developments in the spheres of Art,
Literature, Religion, Yoga, Polity and Sociology. He discusses these themes chapterwise, with illustrations of his own, and confidently
predicts the dawning of a new age in which most of the present acute problems
will find their natural resolution.
He
observes: “I have come to see with ever greater clarity that the whole earth is
undergoing a radical transformation, is being renewed by what I call the Maitreyan Revolution. A life impulse of creative
synthesis–a force unknown to humanity until just recently–is beginning to
subtly change the established forms of society, An incarnation of the
spirit as an inclusive unitive power is flooding the
feelings, thoughts, and motives of attuned people everywhere, igniting a common
vision of a new organic earth.”
An
earnest and powerful presentation heralding a New Age.
–M.
P. PANDIT
Ashtanga
Sangraha of Vahata:
Edited by N. E. Muthuswami, College Book House, M. G.
Road, Trivandrum. Price: Rs.
30.
Charaka, Susruta and Vagbhata are the
three pillars of the ancient Ayurvedic science and
the book under review is by Vagbhata, also known as Vahata.
Ashtanga
Sangraha is a collection of all
the essential materials from the ancient works in Indian medicine, presented by
Vagbhata in a concise and precise form. The text is
in Sanskrit, mainly in metrical form, interspersed here and
there with passages in prose. Ayurveda
is the knowledge of life as it should be lived and Vagbhata
stresses that disease is caused when one falls away from
one’s Dharma, law of being. The outward symptoms are the vitiations of the
three humours, wind, bile and phlegm and the
precursor of most of the diseases is fever.
The
two chapters on diagnosis and treatment are dealt with here. Beginning with
common fever, symptoms of major diseases like tuberculosis and diabetes are
detailed along with their method of cure.
The
book is bound to be useful to all those who believe in indigenous therapy.
–M.
P. PANDIT
Sri Ramanuja
on the Upanishads: By Prof. S. S. Raghavachar.
Published by M. Rangacharya Memorial Trust, Triplicane, Madras-5. Price: Rs.
10.
Some
uncharitable critics conjectured that Sri Ramanuja
did not write commentaries on the Upanishads in the formal and conventional
way, because be found their teachings antagonistic to his Visishtadvaita
philosophy. It is to refute this charge that the learned author has taken upon
himself the burden of collecting together Sri Ramanuja’s
elucidations of the ten major and five minor Upanishadic
passages, that are most important and controversial, and that are found in his Bhashyas on the Brahmasutras and
the Bhagavadgita, and his independent
work Vedardha Samgraha
in one book, making it thereby Sri Ramanuja’s Bhashya on the Upanishads. A commendable job is executed in
a commendable way. The last and the sixth chapter sums up the conclusions
arrived at in a nutshell. The author’s own preface gives a critical estimate of
the Visishtadvaita philosophy in the light of the
modern scientific theories and philosophies.
–SANDILYA
Contribution of Yamuna to Visishtadvaita: By
Dr M. Narasimhacharya. For copies: M. C. Krishna, 16 Sunkuwar Street, Triplicane,
Madras-5. Price: Rs. 15.
This
is a most informative and scholarly study that has not been undertaken by any
one up to now. The fourth chapter of this work is both a compendium and an
exhaustive study of Yamuna’s five works, viz, Sristuti, Stotra Ratna, Gitardha
Samgraha, Agama Pramanya and
Siddhitraya. Yamuna’s
philosophy is summed up in the fifth chapter. Sixth and seventh chapters deal
with Yamuna’s influence on Ramanuja
and the evaluation of Yamuna’s contribution. The
author concludes that Yamuna’s works are the source
books to the Sri Bhashya and other works of Ramanuja. The concepts that the relationship that exists
between the Universe and the Lord is that of the body and the
soul, that the Jiva possesses knowledge as his
inseparable and inborn attribute and that the self is identical with the entity
called aham, three cardinal tenets of Visishtadvaita, are all found in Yamuna’s
works. In stressing the value of Bhakti and Prapatti Ramanuja closely
followed Yamuna’s footsteps. “Thus Yamuna was mainly responsible for the building up of the Visishtadvaita system.” How can we desist from recommending
this book to our readers and libraries?
–B.
KUTUMBA RAO
Uma
Sahasram: By Vasishtha
Ganapati Muni. Edited with
his own commentary “Prabha” by Sri Kapali Sastry. Published by M. P.
Pandit, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry-2. Price: Rs. 15.
Written
by Sri Vasishtha Ganapati Muni, a poet of high order, a scholar of eminence and a
sage of spiritual experiences, and commented upon by no less a person than the
renowned Kapali Sastry of
Sri Aurobindo Ashram, and ensconcing in itself gems of mystic thoughts, a
reading of this, a devotional lyric containing 1000 verses divided into 40 Stabakas of 25 verses each, all in praise of Uma the Supreme Goddess, is sure to give a thrill of joy
and divine bliss to any devotee. In these verses written in simple and chaste
Sanskrit in different metres, there are descriptions
of different Goddesses, and the ten Mahavidyas,
methods of meditation and the experiences of a Sadhaka,
an outline of the Saptasati, and many secrets of Srividya and Mantrasastra, all in
one book. There is at the same time a bumper crop of good poetry full of
imagery and devotion. The commentary also is written in simple Sanskrit, on
the lines of famous Mallinatha’s commentaries and
there is nothing left unexplained.
A
short review cannot do justice to the merits and beauties of this Stotra, the poetic beauty and the spiritual efficacy of a
recitation of which are acclaimed by all the readers and devotees.
–B.
KUTUMBA RAO
Bhai
Vir Singh: By Harbans
Singh. Sahitya Akademi, New
Delhi, Price : Rs. 2-50.
The
author Harbans Singh has presented the salient
features of the life and work of Bhai Vir Singh who is regarded as the father of modern Punjabi
literature. Appearing on the literary scene during the closing years of the
last century, Bhai Vir
Singh responded to the upsurge of national consciousness. He distinguished
himself as a literary artist endowed with a versatile genius which expressed
itself with equal ease and mastery in various media. He bestowed upon the Punjabi
language a vivacity and dignity hitherto unknown by his artistic
sincerity and spirit of experimentation. This monograph shows how he moulded generations of Punjabi readers and led them into
new modes of thought and new fields of achievement.
–Dr C. N. SASTRY
Nazir
Akbarabadi: By Dr Mohammad Hasan. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Price: Rs.
2.50.
Nazir Akbarabadi
(1735-1830) was a remarkable Urdu poet who displayed zest for life, objective
outlook and a distinct tone of realism which is rare among Urdu poets. He
adopted a new idiom which had its deep roots in the soil. He established a
direct link with the masses by his bold acceptance of life in all its varying
phases and articulating the joy’s and sorrows of the common man in phrases
which readily found an echo in every unsophisticated heart. Dr Hasan brought out in this monograph the biographical
details and the poetic achievement of Nazir Akbarabadi.
–Dr C. N. SASTRY
Maharshi
Debendranath Tagore: By
Narayan Chaudhuri. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Price:
Rs. 2-50.
Maharshi Debendranath
was the worthy father of the gifted poet Rabindranath
Tagore. He was the direct inheritor of the rich legacy of Rammohan
Roy. His life was marked by a ceaseless quest for the realisation
of the eternal verities of life enshrined in the Upanishads. “Atmajivan”, his spiritual autobiography, shines as a
landmark in the history of Bengali prose. His style is well-known for its
symmetry, balance, sincerity of feeling and keen appreciation of the beauties
of Nature. Though he could seek the protection of the laws of the land to
escape payment, Debendranath
took upon himself the responsibility of clearing all the debts incurred by his
father. Even the creditors felt surprised to note that
there existed in Calcutta, a city obsessed with money, men who were capable of
rising to such heights of self-denial to honour the
commitments of their deceased father. Debendranath
planted his feet firmly on the path of Dharma and embraced
voluntary poverty.
The
heroic element of his personality, his quest for truth, his contribution
to literary, spiritual and social aspects of life around him are finely
delineated in this well-written monograph. The deep spiritual nature of Rabindranath owed its inspiration to his venerable father.
As a token of his grateful appreciation of his father’s spiritual attainment, Rabindranath dedicated his first volume of spiritual verse
“Naibedya” which marked a turning point in his poetic
career.
–Dr C. N. SASTRY
Kamban:
By S. Mahajan. Sahitya
Akademi, New Delhi. Price: Rs.
2-50.
In this
monograph, Justice Mahajan dealt with the genius of Kamban the Tamil poet of the 9th century A. D. He was
acclaimed as the greatest epic poet of Tamilnad. Kamban continues to cast his spell on the minds of
generations of readers because like classics of all lands be grapples with
age-old problems which await an answer. He chose the theme of Ramayana in order
to demonstrate the greatness and divinity of poetry. The source of his poetry
is a boundless sympathy for all things. His success as a poet is due more to
the manner of saying a thing than what he says, remarks the author. Kamban’s art lies in concealing art. Justice Mahajan’s verdict on the literary merits and achievements
of Kamban is very judicious.
–Dr
C. N. SASTRY
C. F. Andrews:
Representative Writings: Compiled and Edited by Marjorie Sykes.
National Book Trust of India, New Delhi. Price Rs.
11-50.
This
collection of Andrews’s writings aims at depicting the evolution of Andrews’s
spirit and the “diverse ways in which he served our country and humanity.” One
feels that the volume does this job quite adequately.
First
comes the introduction by Marjorie Sykes, where she brings out Andrews’s
crusading zeal to alleviate the lot of the downtrodden. The method behind the
arrangement of Andrews’s writings is stated here. There is a useful
biographical sketch of Andrews following the introduction. The writings
themselves are presented in five sections: “The Twice-Born”, “Andrews and
Tagore”, “Andrews at Work”, “Lessons from History” and “The life of the
Spirit.” The first section deals with Andrews’s “itch” for social service and
his “discovery” of India. He considered himself reborn when he landed in India.
Hence the title of this section. The mood of national awakening that prevailed
in India at the time of his arrival is graphically described here. His sense of
shock at the plight of the untouchables also becomes evident.
The
last section “The Life of the Spirit” displays an attitude of mental retirement
on the part of Andrews after his relentless struggle to better the lot of the
downtrodden.
Two
very useful features of this collection are the “Chronological Record” and the
Index at the end. Altogether, the volume is a worthy tribute to
a noble soul.
–Dr
D. LAKSHMANA RAO
Maha
Tripura Sundari Pujakalpam of Soubhagya Chintamani: By Durvasa
Maharshi. Sri Karunananda
Mandali, 37-A. Moorthy
Street, West Mambalam, Madras-33. Price: Rs. 6.
This
is a practical guide to the worship of the Goddess Sri Maha
Tripura Sundari. In
addition to all the Mantras that are preliminary and final with slight
traditional differences here and there, we have herein the texts of Rasmimala Ajapa, all the three Sandhyas and Amnayamantras,
making the book a self-sufficient practical guide. The order in which the Avaranadevatas are to be worshipped in each Chakra is not given. An introduction in Sanskrit or English
instead of the one now in Tamil would have been more useful.
–SANDILYA
Sri Matrupanchakam:
By Sri Bhashyaswami. K. K. Sankaran. 2 Krithika, 14th Road, Chembur, Bombay–71, A. S. Price: Rs.
3.
This
is a hymn of five verses in sweet Sanskrit in praise of mother. The poet here
imagines Sri Sankaracharya addressing his mother in
her last days. These verses breathe in themselves lofty ideals enshrined in our
Vedic culture. An English translation of these verses is followed by a detailed
and explanatory commentary in English giving excerpts from many ancient
scriptures, showing the importance given to a mother in our tradition. Five
other Stotras including Ganesa
Panchakam of Sri Sankara
are also added to the main hymn.
–B.
KUTUMBA RAO
Gita
in Sankara’s own words–Chapters
I-III: By Pravachanacharya V. Panoli.
Published by S. Paramasivan, Auditor. No. I. C. V. Raman’s
Road, Alwarpet, Madras-18. Price: Rs.
14.
This
is an accurate translation of Sri Sanskara’s Bhashya into lucid, graceful and appropriate English. The
text of the Bhashya is divided into paragraphs. The
importance of this work lies in the footnotes which explain the significance
and the derivative meanings of some technical terms we come across in the text
and the relevant quotations from the Upanishads and other works, wherever
necessary. Numbering of paragraphs will facilitate ready reference. The
translation of the text in the second paragraph in the 45th page can be
improved by bringing out the meaning of the word “Vaa”
more clearly. The introduction by Sri Paramasivan
brings to light a new interpretation given by H. H. Sankaracharya
of Kamakoti Mutt to the first verse–“Dharma Kshetre Kuru Kshetre.”
Adorned with a foreword by Sri B. D. Jatti, President
of India, this volume is highly useful as a good for an easy understanding of
Sri Sankara’s Bhashya. We
await the publication of the other parts also.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO
Rudrama
Devi: By Nori
Narasimha Sastri.
Translated into Tamil by Dakshinamurti. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.
Price: Rs. 18.
This
historical novel is devoted mainly to deal with the major venture
of the translation of the Mahabharata into
Telugu by Tikkana Somayaji,
who succeeded in that monumental work started by Nannayya
earlier. The author’s purpose evidently is to bring out the three stages of the
Mahabharata translation by the three
poets Nannayya, Tikkana and
Errana in the three novels of his entitled as Narayana Bhattu, Rudrama Devi and Malla Reddi.
The
Kakatiya dynasty of Warangal
which ruled with sufficient enlightenment over its subjects, had to face
enemies from both the North and the South in the invasions of Maharattas, Pandyas and Karnatakas. Rudrama Devi, the powerful sovereign, whose image has been painted
well here strove to establish Dharma of this ancient Bharatavarsha, after wresting release from the clutches of
foreigners. Her devotion to her country and its culture gets amply surveyed in
this novel when prominence is allowed to the episodes concerning the various
arts such as enactment of dramas of Bhasa by the Chakyars of Chera country and the
compilation of the Mahabharata and Harivamsa. In her eventful life, the queen did not
yield herself to her own husband, a scion of the Chalukya
dynasty, but sought to bestow the crown on her grandson (through her daughter) Prataparudra, in succession to herself.
The
author whose earlier novel got the Sahitya Akademi Award attracted the attention of the reading public
whose avidity has been satisfied by translation of this book into Tamil. But
reading the novel a reader for the first time in a Tamil translation is struck
more by the crowding in of historical events than by either the inventiveness
of the plot or the characterisation of individuals
who play their parts in the development of the story. Here and there poetic
passages and reflections of a deeper understanding of life relieve a sense of
drag in the narration of events.
–K.
CHANDRASEKHARAN
Rigveda
Aryulu: By Rahul
Samkrityaayana. Translated by M. Subba
Rao. Visalandhra Publishing
House, Eluru Road, Vijayawada–2.
Price: Rs. 12.
This is a critical
study of the social, economic and cultural life of the Rigvedic
Aryans as found in one-sixth of the text. Thee author’s statement that he had
to write this book, because such a one is not to be found either in our
language or in other languages is true to a great extent. All the eighteen
chapters that constitute the main text and two introductory chapters are
replete with valuable information regarding caste and community,
foods and drinks, education and health, costumes and languages,
ladies,
leaders, language and poetry, etc. Relevant passages are quoted everywhere. The
table showing at a glance the evolution and progress of human society in India
from B.C. 10,050 to A. D. 1950 is superb. According to this study Aryans
destroyed Sindh civilisation
that vied with that of Mohenjodaro. Phaktoons were mentioned in this Veda, and they were
Aryans. The word Pingala means gold. Brahmins also
took to arms, they dined with Kshatriyas and entered
into matrimonial relations with them.
Eating of beef was in vogue up to the beginning of the Christian era. Onion and garlic were not used. Untouchability came into practice in 50 B. C. only. Viswamitra in the Ramayana is quite different from the Viswamitra of the Rigveda. Shaving of beard alone was in vogue. There is no mention of the seven weekly days in this Veda. Women that wrote hymns were known as Rishikas. Achievements of many sages like Vasishtha and Viswamitra are described. This is a unique book to be studied by all students of history.
–B.
K. SASTRY
Karunasri,
Kavitasri: By Gollapudi Prakasa Rao. J. K. C. College, Guntur.
Price: Rs. 3.
Karunasri has carved out a niche
for himself among the front-rank poets of Andhra by his mellifluous diction,
amazing clarity, delicacy of touch and tenderness of feeling. His Udayasri, Vijayasri, Karunasri and other collections of poems achieved
phenomenal success and established his reputation as a gifted poet. Within the
brief compass of ninety pages, the author tries to bring into focus the themes
and attitudes which lend a distinct charm to Karunasri’s
poetry. The Buddha’s gospel of love, Gandhi’s philosophy of truth and
non-violence and resurgent national spirit found their stirring poetic
articulation in Karunasri’s works which have been
hailed as classics today. It is hoped that Karunasri
would complete his project of composing a long poem on the life and teachings
of the Buddha and scale loftier pinnacles of achievement. Mr. PrakasaRao has displayed competence and balance in his
critical survey.
–AMARENDRA
Swaraalu
and Ushassu: Anthologies
of modern verse. Yuva Bharathi,
5 Kingsway, Secunderabad-3. Price: Rs 3 each.
Yuvabharati has been rendering
good service by publishing books of merit concerning divergent trends in
modern Telugu literature. This organisation has
completed a decade of fruitful activity and deserves to be felicitated. Ushassu contains 133 poems and Swaraalu introduces 25 poets. There is
diversity of theme and treatment, tone and tenor in the selections. Though all
the pieces may not touch high watermark of excellence, they do not fall flat.
Obscurity and obscenity–the pitfalls of modern verse–are avoided. Various
schools of modern Telugu poetry find representation in these two anthologies
which reflect the literary milieu of the decade.
–AMARENDRA