Triveni Journal

1927 | 11,233,916 words

Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....

Reviews

1. The Great Liberation or Mahanirvana Tantra (Samskrit Text with Translation and Commentary by Arthur Avalon. Third Edition. Pp. II plus 421 plus 473. Price Rs. 30.)

2. Hymn to KaLi-Karpuradi Stotra with Introduction and Commentary by Vimalananda Swamy. Translation and notes by Arthur Avalon. (Pages 158.Price Rs. 6)

Both books published by Ganesh & Co., Madras 17.

Tantrikas believe that Tantras are the only available practical guides for all aspirants after truth, who in this Kali age cannot withstand the strain of severe Vedic rituals and the Upanishadic Upasanas, prescribed for the realisation of the supreme God-head. Mahanirvana Tantra is one of the most authoritative texts followed by the Kaulaschool of Saktas, to whom indeed Arthur Avalon has rendered invaluable service by bringing out this book.

This book contains 14 chapters dealing with the liberation of beings, the worship of Brahman and Sakti, Mantras and purification, Mantras and rites, Hymn and amulet (stotra and kavacha) Varnas and Asramas, Rites and initiation, expiatory acts, the eternal Dharma, installation of the Devata and consecration and advantages.

This Tantra will be of interest not only to the Kaulas, but also to the modern reformers and students of Religion and Sociology, inasmuch as it introduces some departures from the traditionally known orthodox principles and customs in the Hindu society.

Kula, according to this Tantra, is Prakriti, (including Jiva, space, time, ether, earth, fire and air) and looking upon them as Brahman is Kulachara, and those that practise this are known as Kaulikas. Within the Kula circles (Bhairavi Chakra and Tattva-chakra) distinctions of caste should not be noticed, though without the circle, every one must follow the customs of his own caste. Sadhakas whose minds are not distracted by lust and who can look upon woman as the Parasakti, can, with many restrictions, take to wine, woman, meat, fish and fried rice, generally known as the five Makaras, but others must substitute the three sweets (sugar, honey and milk) for the wine, and meditation upon the lotus feet of the Devi and the inward recitation of the Ishta mantra for the sexual union.

There are only two Asramas of Grihastha and Bhikshuka (householders and mendicants) and mendicants need not carry Dandas. Samskaras or purificatory rites are essential to all but they should be performed according to the injunction of the Agamas but not the Vedas. A Vira Sadhaka can have two wives, the Brahmi wife wedded according to Sastraic rites and the Saiva wife who ceases to be so without the Kula circles. Constancy in conjugal relations is insisted upon and the violation of marital laws is severely punishable in law. A child widow is eligible for remarriage and Sati custom is strictly prohibited. Fasting is not at all necessary, and instead alms are prescribed. Debauchery and drinking of liquor are serious crimes, and adherence to the cardinal virtues like truthfulness etc., is insisted upon. These are someof the noteworthy points mentioned in the book.

The Samskrit text itself is very easy to understand and the Samskrit commentary thereon also explains the technical words clearly. The notes in English added to the excellent translation give much information from other commentaries also, thus making the book a valuable treatise for the Kaulas.

Karpuradi Stotra contains 22 verses in Samskrit in praise of the Goddess Kalika. It gives not only the Dhyana, Yantra, Sadhana, and Svarupa Varnana of the Mahadevi but it also contains the chief Mantras of Dakhinakalika.

There are two Samskrit commentaries in addition to a Samskrit Tika on all these verses. The commentary ‘Rahassyardhasadhika’ and the Tika give word for word meaning, whereas the second commentary ‘Svarupavyakhya’ explains in detail the esoteric meaning. The Preface written by Arthur Avalon ably exposes those persons that abuse Kaula customs, and the Introduction written by Swami Vimalananda is a scholarly treatise on the philosophy and practice of Saktism. Any devotee of Sri Kalika, whether he be initiated or not, will find it a pleasure to read these verses, the teachings of which deserve to be carefully understood, digested and put into practice for realising the Bliss that is Supreme.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

Mahayogiby R. R. Diwakar (Book University, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay, 7. Pp. 250. Price Rs. 1-12-0)

There can be no question of the wisdom of the choice of the subject of The Life and Teachings of Sri Aurobindo, the greatest exponent of the Modern Indian renaissance, for the realisation of the objective of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan–the reintegration of Indian culture, in the light of modern knowledge and to suit present day needs, and the resuscitation of its fundamental values. The life and achievement of any of the great makers of Modern India–Vivekananda, Tilak, Tagore, Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi–would serve the purpose well, as each in his own way was true to, and had his roots in, the fundamental values of Indian culture, and sought to apply them in their life and work, with suitable adaptations, to the conditions of modern life. In fact, it is by such application that the value of the fundamentals of Indian culture and their universal validity can be demonstrated, so that India, free India, may once again take up her ancient role of guide and philosopher to the other nations and make her own distinctive contribution to the solution of the various problems confronting the materialistic and war-worn Western civilisation.

But, of all these makers of Modern India, Sri Aurobindo stands out pre-eminently as a conscious exponent of the fundamentals of our ancient but perennial culture and the role it is qualified and destined to play, in the present and future, by the very laws of its evolution. It is rightly claimed by Sri Munshi, in his Foreword, that Sri Aurobindo presented mankind with a new hope and a new mission by leading a great revolt against the scientific materialism dominating the scene which seeks to reduce man to the position of an insect, and by giving a new direction to the destiny of man.

The author, Sri Diwakar, with true modesty introduces the volume as a brief study of the life, the sadhanaand the teachings of the Mahayogi, neither an exhaustive biography nor a full picture of his life. Estimating the achievement of his hero as the greatest spiritual adventure in modern times, shedding fresh light, giving new life and expanding the frontiers of human vision and consciousness, he characterises his own attempt in the volume to be indicative and stimulative rather than extensive or exhaustive, and only in the nature of a door to the great heritage that the Maha-yogi has left to posterity.

The first six chapters deal with the facts of Sri Aurobindo’s life which have their own romantic appeal to the reader, in so far as the development of a child, brought up deliberately on alien ideas, into a patriot and politician, and later, saint and Yogi, is full of drama and adventure. But even from the beginning the endeavour of the author seems to have been to trace the seeds–and their growth–of the later Sadhana, Siddhi and teaching, to which the rest of the book is devoted. Sri Aurobindo’s was, no doubt, a highly integrated personality and his achievement in literature, journalism and education, and his prolific and brilliant writings on poetry, art, politics and human civilisation were all in tune with, and varied phases of, his Sadhana. More light on these earlier phases of the life of the Mahayogi would be welcome to the common reader, but it cannot be denied that the main achievement of Sri Aurobindo lay in the region of his inner life and the system of Yoga which he evolved, and practised. But a full picture of the inner life of a Yogi is so difficult to reconstruct, and it is impossible to write the biography of a Yogi in his own words. We should feel highly grateful to the learned author for his attempt to present in a short compass so interesting an account of the life, and such a valuable introduction to the Sadhana and the teachings of the Mahayogi.

Our Greatest Need and other Addresses by Sri K. M. Munshi. (Book University, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay. 7, Price Rs. 1-12-0)

The volume is a collection of some of the numerous addresses delivered on diverse occasions during the last few years before widely different gatherings. The collection bears, nevertheless, the stamp of remarkable unity, the stir of a vigorous life and the fervour of a deep-seated earnestness, as Dr. K. R Srinivasa Iyengar points out in his valuable Preface. The unity and consequent power of the book is obviously due to the versatile and yet integrated personality of the author, reflected all through in his outpourings of original thought and genuine sentiment on a wide variety of subjects of public importance.

Much of the credit is also due to the careful selection and skilful arrangement of the addresses so as to present to the reader a connected exposition of a synthetic philosophy and comprehensive outlook upon life, evolved by one of the foremost disciples of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Here are reflected the author’s brilliant intellect and fervid patriotism, his rich experience of a many-sided and active public life covering the first half of the twentieth century, a period of cultural renaissance, politica1 struggle for freedom, and national reconstruction in India.

The book is especially deserving of careful study at the hands of the younger generation, alike for the significant reaction, evident in it, of one of the most representative figures of the older generation to the various cultural and social problems confronting the country, and for the admirably constructive manner and hopeful temper of the reaction to the needs of the nation, in education, culture, books, national language, law, philosophy, character, and integrity.
M. S. K.

Silver jubilee Souvenir (1928-53): (Andhra Chamber of Commerce, Madras-I. Price Rs. 7-8-0)

For a country like India, agriculture is its bone, industry its sinews, and commerce its very life-blood. It is only when all these are equally well-developed and harmonised that there can be any real prosperity, and the economic future of the country depends almost entirely on these three factors.

Andhra Desa is admittedly one of the richest and best States of India, with vast natural resources and industrial possibilities not to speak of agricultural prosperity. Trade flourished here even from the days of the Roman Empire, and there was a time when ships sailed from its coast to distant lands carrying merchandise. Within India, Andhra always carried intensive trade with the other parts. Now that it has emerged as a State, it is bound to have even greater industrial and trade potentialities than before. The task of “mobilising and formulating commercial and industrial opinion of the new State so as to shape and mould its economic and commercial policies” rests with the Andhra Chamber of Commerce which, having completed twenty-five years of activity, has recently celebrated its Silver Jubilee–by a happy coincidence–at the same time as the inauguration of the Andhra State.

It is to the foresight and imagination of some Andhra businessmen of an earlier generation, of whom the late Dewan Bahadur K. Suryanarayanamurti Naidu was the foremost, that the Chamber owes its inception. “Progress through Commerce and Industry,” is significantly its motto. The Chamber which was registered in the year 1928 with a modest membership of 35 has today a strength of 700 and a big building of its own in Madras. In the words of no less a man than Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya, the Chamber has acquired “a considerable moral and political influence in South India because of the solid and substantial work that lies to its credit during the past quarter of a century.” If today the Chamber enjoys an added prestige and importance, it is due in no small measure to the energetic guidance and indefatigable efforts of its present President, Sri P. Suryanarayana, the well-known industrialist and merchant of Madras.

It was a happy idea of the President and the Office-bearers to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of the Chamber by bringing out a Souvenir. The Jubilee Committee well deserves the congratulations of the public on this fine effort. They have presented a highly interesting volume which contains valuable information on a wide variety of subjects relating to the Andhra State–its Agriculture, Irrigation, Power, Minerals, Industries, Commerce, Banking, Insurance, Transport, Communications, Finance etc.–written by men who are acknowledged authorities on the subjects dealt with. Almost everyone of the contributions is of a high standard while some are particularly good, as for instance ‘Place of Andhra in Indian Economy’ by Mr. V. K. Narasimhan, ‘Agriculture in Andhra State’ by Dr. B. Visva Nath, ‘Food Production in Andhra’ by Sir S. V. Ramamurty, ‘River Basins in Andhra’ by Dr. K. L. Rao, ‘Power Development in Andhra’ by Mr. B. R. Somayajulu, ‘Industrial Potentialities in Andhra’ by Mr. V. Ramakrishna, and ‘History of Andhra’ by Dr. N. Venkataramanayya, to name only a few.

No efforts have been spared to make the Souvenir worthy of the occasion. Maps and statistics enhance the value of the articles, while photographs of some distinguished personages add to the interest of the book, which also contains some of the more important messages received in connection with the Jubilee. Elegant printing and attractive get-up give the volume a certain distinction. As an authoritative reference book on the economic aspects of the State, the Souvenir surely deserves a place in every library and institution in Andhra.

K. K. PRASAD

‘Beginners’ Guide to Typographical Layout: By S. K. Thamba and V. S. Krishnamurty. (Published by S. Srinivasa Rao, 30-A. Audiappa Mudali Street, Madras, 7. Demy Quarto size. Pp. 62 plus appendices. Library Edition Rs. 12.)

A badly printed book is, indeed, an insult to the reader. Book production in India is still in its infancy. Book lovers in our country always yearn to possess books printed in England, America or Russia. No doubt young India has taken an active part in shaping world policies and has become today the leader of the Asian countries–thanks to its illustrious Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is earnestly hoped that India will try to emulate her compeers in the West in this great industry, viz., printing.

The book under review is perhaps the first of its kind written by Indians and published in India. The authors, who are fully qualified to handle the subject, have done their job quite well. The book gives useful information not only to printers but also to buyers of print. We wish the authors would bring out instructive and interesting books on the other branches of printing, also.

The language adopted is very simple and lucid and the treatment of the subject quite interesting. The quality of printing and get-up compares favourably with that of books brought out in foreign countries. We commend the book to all those interested in books–in getting them printed, as well as in reading them.
B. N.

TELUGU

Srimadbhagavata Mahima by Sri Minnikanti Gurunadba Sarma (Author, Brodiepet, 5th Line, P.O. Arundelpet, Guntur, Pp. 154. Price. Rs. 5).

“Where even Veda fails, there Bhagavatam rules.” “Hear Bhagavatam, in seven days; Mokshawill be at your gates.”

This in short is the message of this book, a free translation into Telugu verse by the author, for the first time, from the Samskrit original in Padmapurana.

This book contains mainly two allegorical stories in praise of Bhagavatam: (I) At the beginning of “Kali” age, Jnana and Vairagya, the two sons of Bhakti, a youthful lady, became prematurely old, and with their broken hearts and shrunken limbs were reduced to prostration, and were gasping for breath. Hearing Bhagavatam infused new life into them and they were themselves again. This allegory is indicative of two facts. Hearing of Bhagavatam promotes Bhakti, Jnana and Vairagya in the devoted hearers, and Bhakti, to be active and fruitful, must be accompanied by Jnana and Vairagya.

According to the second story, Dhundhukara, the worst type of sinner, who could not be purged of his sins evenby the observance of Vedic rites and offerings of oblations for his sake by his brother Gokarna, was liberated from his sinful condition by hearing Bhagavatam. The story is indicative of the efficacy of hearing Bhagavatam in seven days.

This book is also prefaced with an instructive and valuable Introduction by Sri J. Madhavarama Sarma.

The racy style and free flowing verses coupled with poetic flashes, in Dhudhuli’s story in particular, will surely make this book a valuable addition to Telugu literature.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

Adarsaluby A. S. Avadhani, M.A., B.L. (Published by the Lalita Kala Parishat, Masulipatam. Pp. III. Price Rs. 1-4-0)

The author’s claim, endorsed by the talented writer of the Introduction, that the play is not a translation but an adaptation in Telugu (Anusarana not Anuvada) of Oscar Wilde’s “Ideal Husband” is just and deserves to be recognised, for a proper appreciation of his achievement, by the critic as well as the reader. The author is indebted to Wilde only to the extent of the basic theme and the barest outlines of the plot and the main characters. The details of the plot and the situations and the dramatis personae through which the theme is worked out are so skillfully adapted to the conditions of modern India that the play reads altogether like an original composition and not at all like a translation from a foreign language. The publishers as well as the author deserve warm congratulations upon this admirable production, a new kind of translation of a famous modern English classic into Telugu.

The play is a valuable addition to the meagre stock of stage plays in Telugu with a powerful theme of modern interest.

Of course, the style of any classic, and especially the brilliant phrase and sparkling wit of the dialogue of an acknowledged master of style like Wilde, is clearly untranslatable, and it is unfair to compare the translation with the original in this respect. But the play bears favourable comparison with most of the modern original dramatic compositions in Telugu, in elegance of diction, crispness of idiom and force of expression.

The play offers considerable evidence of literary and dramatic talent on the part of the promising author and we are led to expect from him similar valuable contributions to modern Telugu literature.

‘RASIKA’

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