Reviews

Yoga for the Modern World by Yogi Suddhananda Bharati. Published by Ganesh & Co. (Madras) Ltd., Madras 17. Pocket size. Pages 165. Price Rs. 1-8-0.

Patanjali’s Yoga system has stood the test of time and science. It has its votaries now throughout the world and has given solace to thousands of savants, both Western and Eastern. Sri Suddhananda Bharati, the author of this book, is one of such blessed souls, whom the publishers of this book introduce to us as one who has practised all systems of Yoga and all religions and achieved realisation. The author too in this book asserts that he has attained siddhis in Yoga and that he is the Seer of a powerful mantra “Aum Suddha Sakti Aum Siva” (P. 110). Emanating from the pen of such a Siddha, this book is necessarily bound to be of much interest and utility to all that seek after Truth.

Though small in size this book gives a fund of useful information about Yoga which, as the author describes, is “Harmony with the Divine Nature.” He rightly believes that it is possible, with the help of this Yoga, even for the common man of the modern world, “to act in the world without any hitch of bondage.” A Yogin, to achieve success in his attempts, must keep his body strong and energetic, and hence the author in the preliminary chapters of this book describes the various exercises like “Rhythmic exercises, Rhythmic breathing, Pranayama and poses for Health.” Naturopathic methods like Sun-bath, water-cure and fasting are also described in detail. Fasting, according to the author, is a “panacea for all diseases.” “It controls the animal nature, wild passions, sexual cravings, bad appetites, violent temperaments etc., and conduces to concentration and meditation” (pages 91 and 92). The author says he “achieved his ideals by fasting” (P. 93). This Swami advises fire worship also which he believes “will help in conquering sexual dreams and preserves Brahmacharya Sakti” (97). Chapters on “Prayer”, “Meditation”, “Realisation” and “Easy Way” form the essence of this block. The gradual process of withdrawing the senses into the mind is described in detail.

The effect of meditation is given thus: “By ceaseless dynamic meditation, the cosmic fire begins to possess the whole body and then meditation goes on naturally.” Thus this book is “a practical guide to Yoga for all”, and a Home doctor for those that suffer from ailments, physical and spiritual. We commend this to all lovers of Yoga.

Tantra Raja Tantra–A short analysis by Sir John Woodroffe. Published by Ganesh & Co., Madras. Pages 140. Price Rs. 6.

Tantra Raja Tantra, as its very name signifies, is a King of Tantras dealing with the three important branches of Srividya, kadi, Hadi and Kahadi. The first part of this book dealing with the Kadividya is now in print, and the book under review is a short analysis of the same in English. This part contains 36 chapters of hundred verses each. They deal with the worship of Nathas, 16 Nitya deities, Lalita Vidya, Homas and Yantras in detail, and each chapter is named after one of the thirty-six Tattvas. In the Introduction Sir John Woodroffe gives a description and the significance of Srichakra and its worship, and it is worth the attention of all. The 35th Chapter of this book is also very important in that it explains the esoteric meaning and the effect of many technical terms and rites that we find in the Tantras.

The following statements are noteworthy: “The word “Yoni” in this worship does not mean the “generative organ of a woman but means Karanam or cause, the womb of the Universe” (Page 6). “The consummation of worship (upasti) is meditation on one’s self”. (p. 103). “The worship of the Srichakra is the unification of these three–the knower, the knowledge and the object of knowledge.” (103) “By Nyasa, the body is made like that of the Devata; Japa produces a sense of identity with the Devata. By Homa is destroyed the sense of multifariousness” 104. We eagerly await the publication of the original in Sanskrit, with a lucid commentary on it.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

English Language Teaching Vol. X: Number I: Oct-Dec. 55. Published by The British Council, 65 Davis Street, London, 1. Pp. 46. Annual Subscription 4 Sh.

A high-class quarterly devoted to English Teaching. Though few, the articles in this number deal with the different aspects of the problem of English Teaching–of reading, grammar and literature, and seem to indicate on the part of the editors, a meticulous attention to, and careful distribution of emphasis on, the different kinds of problems that arise for the teacher of English in the High Schools and Colleges. In the changed and changing context of the place of English in the reorganisation of Indian education, a fresh and lively interest in the teaching problems is all the more necessary to realise the twin objectives of confining English to its proper and legitimate place in our national system of education, and at the same time preventing any deterioration in the standards of attainment and proficiency in the language. English is no longer the language of the ruling race, and may cease to be that of administration and higher education in the country. But still it is of vital importance as the language of international communication and modern knowledge.

Indian Inheritance–Vol. I: Literature, Philosophy and Religion. Published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. Pp. 288. Price Rs. l-12-0.

The objectives for which the Bhavan stands are by now well-known and very much appreciated all over the country. They are the reintegration of Indian culture, in the light of modern knowledge to suit our present-day needs, and the resuscitation of its fundamental values in their pristine vigour, through a study of the forces, movements, motives, ideas, forms and art of creative life through which it has expressed itself in different ages, as a single continuous process.

The need has been keenly felt in the educational world also, for the institution of a regular course of lectures on Indian culture for the students of our schools and colleges.

The book under review deals with the different aspects of the Indian Inheritance in a volume and at a price within the scope and means of every teacher and student; the different sections have been specially selected from the writings of eminent persons with acknowledged authority in the respective fields.

This publication goes a long way to meet the needs of teachers and students immediately and to contribute to the realisation, in the long run, of the main objective of the Vidya Bhavan and its Book University. The task of selecting, and arranging and editing the various sections is a valuable and difficult task, ably and successfully performed. The first volume deals with Literature, Philosophy and Religion and is of such high quality in every way as to induce the reader to look forward with eagerness to the succeeding volumes.

Geographical Factors in Indian History by K. M. Panikkar. Published by the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. Pp. 108. Price Rs. 1-12-0.

This is a unique volume even among the valuable publications of the Book University of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, which are mostly devoted to the presentation of the essential elements and permanent value of Bharatiya culture in a convenient and easily assimilable form. This volume, on the other hand, is an original contribution to a new branch of modern knowledge by one of the most colourful figures in the public life of India.

It professes to be a preliminary study of the effects of Geography on the shaping of India’s history. But the earnest endeavour of the author to utilise, and seek in the results of such study light and guidance for the preservation and security of the recently won political independence and unity of the country is obvious in every page. A vigorous and intrepid thinker known for his independence and originality, he makes several interesting observations on the trends in our past history and draws several inferences with regard to many of the burning problems of the day, like the importance of Sanskrit, the need for developing Hindi as our national language, the significance of the Cauvery Delta, the Gangetic Valley, the Himalayan mountain ranges and our ports–on which we should not expect wholesale agreement of all the sections of the public with the author; but there is no doubt that his observations and reflections deserve careful attention and the new line of study indicated by him should be pursued with scientific attitude and open minds.

M. SIVAKAMAYYA

TELUGU

Streela Ramayanapu Patalu edited by ‘Krishna Sri’. Published by the Andhra Saraswatha Parishad, Hyderabad. Pp. 408+10. Price Rs. 10.

By far the most striking manifestation of the cultural ‘upsurge’ which Indian Independence has brought in its wake has been in the field of indigenous literature, particularly Telugu literature in which there has been a plentiful harvest. The emergence of Andhra as a State and the prospect of Visalandhra or the advent of a Telengana State is bound to give immense scope for the literary energies of the present generation to find expression.

Not all that is appearing in the name of literature is of the healthy kind–not a little of it is sickening to read–but here and there are refreshing evidences of a certain virility and excellence which is indeed a welcome feature and which augurs well for the future of Telugu literature. Whatever possesses the quality of inspiration and beauty, whether in the new literature or the old, deserves to be read and to be preserved. It is with this aim in view that the Andhra Literary Academy of Hyderabad, which is rendering valuable service to the cause of Telugu literature, has decided to add to their many publications a book which represents our national literature in the form of song. The result is this volume entitled “Streela Ramayanapu Patalu” a very homely title indeed. Most of these songs are time-honoured, having come down to us, sung by mother to daughter from generation to generation, in their pristine purity and beauty. Many of these are perhaps to be found in slender, scattered volumes not always available in a set. It is therefore a real service to the lovers of these songs, who are the women at home, to have brought them together in a handy volume.

Sri ‘Krishna Sri’, who has edited the book, has contributed a lengthy Introduction in which he deals with the character and history of this branch of literature. One would agree with him in his opinion that in the universe of spoken Telugu the songs of our women-folk are a separate world in themselves. The style of these is entirely colloquial, which makes it easier to read and more pleasant to hear. But the one serious defect with these songs, in general, is the prevalence of what may be termed hyperbole whose sole excuse is a certain rhyme, but rhyme that shocks reason. A very simple instance of it would suffice. In ‘Kusalavula Yuddhamu’ the procession accompanying the ‘Pancha Kalyani’ is mentioned as ‘a thousand thousands in the rear’ and ‘three crores’ in the front, while the horse itself was selected out of (or brought along with?) ‘ten crores horses’ and was ushered into the field by ten thousand warriors–surely figures that stagger one’s imagination! One wonders whether it lies in the power of those that edit to rectify such glaring exaggerations.

There is no question that these songs, as the editor asserts’ possess a certain beauty of song and of narrative. The songs ‘Raghava Kalyanamu’, ‘Rushula Asramamu’, ‘Lanka Yagamu’, ‘Sita Agni Pravesamu’, ‘Sreerama Pattabhishekamu’, ‘Urmiladevi Nidra’ and others are all fine pieces which, if properly sung, can thrill. Undoubtedly the most popular of the forty-two songs included in this volume are ‘Kusalava Kuchchala Katha’ and ‘Kusalavula Yuddhamu’ both of which afford great pleasure, whether read or sung. But the beauty of these is marred by the not infrequent printer’s devils which sometimes have a disastrous effect, as, for instance, ‘Ravanu’ for ‘Ranuva’ in line 3 of page 25–which can only be taken as an evidence of careless proofing.

The editor in his introduction poses a question, “Are all these songs to be collectively described as national literature? and answers the question himself with a certain gusto. One can have no quarrel with him for what he thinks, but when in so expressing his opinion, he works himself into a state of frenzy, as in the last para but one, he seems to be betraying something of the heat of an excited mind on a platform instead of revealing the note of dignity and restraint that are to be associated with a literary mind.

The prime object of the book, it may well be presumed, is to bring these popular songs within the reach of the women of the middle classes. By what considerations the price of Rupees Ten is fixed, it is indeed difficult to understand. The publishers would have done a real service to the women folk if they had priced the book more reasonably.

K. K. PRASAD

Andhra Tejamu by Nanduri Bangarayya, Advocate, Rajahmundry. Pages 110. Price Rs. 1-8-0.

This is a historical play in Telugu dealing with a critical phase in the history of Andhra, bringing out the value and significance of unity for the Andhras, and hence of first-rate topical interest to the Andhras at the present juncture in their history, when the long travail of centuries for the realisation of their political destiny promises to be approaching a successful termination.

The plot and characterisation very effectively portray the salient features of the Andhra genius and temperament in its merits as well as defects with remarkable objectivity, while at the same time maintaining scrupulous fidelity to known historical facts in essentials.

The political destiny of Andhra is here presented with commendable sagacity and truth, as the preservation and fostering of the spiritual culture of Bharat, for which the unity of the different sections and regions of Andhra is made out to be as essential as the sustained endeavour of such a united people for the political unity and cultural progress of the entire country (Bharat), in the interests of her traditional culture which is the final objective of all our efforts and devotion.

The educative value of the pray cannot be over-estimated and the artistic excellence has been amply proved by the successful performance of it on the stage before cultured and distinguished audiences. The play deserves, and is bound to attain, considerable popularity.

M. SIVAKAMAYYA

Sangeetha Sabdardha Chandrika by Aripirala Satyanarayanamurthi, Gandhinagar, Vijayawada. Demy 8-vo size. Pages 516+54. Price Rs. 10.

We welcome the book as the very first and pioneer attempt at codification of the terminology relating to the age-long musicology of South India. We congratulate the author for the large measure of success he has attained, for his untiring application through years of labour and for his laudable talent in research work. The object of the author, to bring into the compass of a single volume the vast expanse of literary technique which has grown with the development of the science and art of music from the dim past of the prehistoric Vedic ages, and to present a complete picture of the scope and extent of Karnatic music in all its varied phases in one volume, is amply fulfilled. The author has not confined himself to the Sanskrit texts alone. He has rounded up almost all the well-known texts in Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam and accommodated a large measure of Marathi, Hindustani and even English terms as well.

The inclusion of the appendix dealing with the lives and works of great men, modern and ancient, who have contributed to the progress of this science and art of music enhances the value of the book. The book deserves to be read not only by students but lovers of music as well. We wish the Andhra public would extend full encouragement and support to the author to continue his exploratory work further, to enlighten and elevate the Andhra genius to its proper and deserving pinnacle in the field of musical culture.

B. V. SUBBA RAO

BOOKS RECEIVED

The Yoga of Sri Aurobindo: Part Seven, Nolini Kanta Gupta. Pp. 192. Rs. 2-8-0
The Divine Collaborators: Rishabhchand. Pp. 74. Rs. 1-4-0
The Integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo, Part Two: Rishabhchand. Pp. 278. Rs. 4-0-0
The March of Civilisation: Nolini Kanta Gupta. Pp. 115. Rs. 1-8-0
–All the above books are published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry.

The Heart of Bhagavatam: Susarla Srinivasa Rao, B. A., Retired, Deputy Collector, Ramaraopet, Kakinada. Pp. 197. Rs. 2-0-0
Mahamahopadhyaya Tata Subbaraya Sastri Mahoday (Hindi): Andhra Bharathi Prakashan Mandiram, Vetapalem, Guntur Dt. Pp. 34. Rs. 0-12-0
Nagarjunasagaram (Telugu): C. Narayana Reddi. Telangana Rachayitala Sangham, Hyderabad. Pp. 116. Rs. 1-8-0
Nagarjunakontla (Telugu): Maremanda Rama Rao. Ajanta Publications, Secunderabad. Pp. 34+17. Rs. 0-12-0
Kothapaali (Telugu): Tapi Dharma Rao. Pp. 143. Rs. 1-4-0
Kothapaali (Telugu) 2nd part: Tapi Dharma Rao. Pp. 97. Rs. 0-12-0.
Mutyala Saralu (Telugu): Gurajada Appa Rao. Pp. 56. Rs.0-10-0
Animutyalu (Telugu): Gurajada Appa Rao. Pp. 93. Rs. 1-0-0
–All the above books are published by Visalandhra Prachuranalayam, Vijayawada-2.