Reviews

Speeches and Writings of Rt. Hon. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri.Vols. I and II. Published by the Rt. Hon. V. S. Srinivasa Sastri Birth Centenary Committee, Madras. Price Rs. 20.

In two volumes of very attractive get-up, the committee of the Srinivasa Sastri Birth Centenary Celebrations, Madras have given a grateful reading public enough matter to peruse and enjoy. In recent times no other person of eminence had spoken such good English and written or spoken on such a varied range of topics, also as wide apart as ‘Dominion Status and Federation’ and the Ramayana of Valmiki. It is a pity that the generation in the making has hardly any idea of what a stupendous task he had undertaken in being first and last a Servant of India. There is no denying the fact that many of his contemporaries, some of whom he had embalmed in the vivid portrait he had given us, could not have claimed the same discipline for public life and the same selflessness in carrying out the plans which his early ideals taught him to follow.

Mahatma Gandhi cherished for him a personal loyalty and love which alone are sufficient to endorse the mettle of his pasture. Astute as a politician, wise as a statesman, deep and learned as an educationist and above all, graceful and enviable as a letter-writer in English, he can always captivate any reader with an earnestness for correct knowledge of English and a sober attitude in life towards progress and advance in public affairs.

Here are gathered some of his utterances, letters and other writings, which easily present to the reader a comprehensive idea of Sastri as an able Politician and patriot of the first rank. Moreover there is an incurably chaste outlook on almost every subject that he handled. Again for soundness of opinions, in times when the mass-hysteria of the Gandhites would allow hardly any room for appreciation of detached or sober views on political situations, he showed no frailty to guard himself against both the British authorities as well as his own countrymen. For an example of some of his clear, forthright attempts at convincing his opponents of what he deemed was his duty to stand by without fear or favour, let us just select from the speeches in the Imperial Council then presided over by the Governor-General and Viceroy under the British dispensation, a passage which tells in no equivocal language his alarm at the passing of the Rowlatt Bill. Warning the British Government he said, “I am always on the border land and, for personal reasons, if for nothing else, undertake to say that the possession in the hands of the Executive of powers of this drastic nature will not only hurt the wicked, but it will hurt the good as well as the bad, and there will be such lowering of the political tone of the country that all your talk of responsible Government will be mere mockery.....the bureaucracy armed with these repressive powers will reign unchecked under the appearance of a democratic Government.” We know how true were his words of prognostication, when the Jalianwalla Bhag massacre took place under the reign of terror of Michael Owdyer, the Governor of Punjab. One more example to show how correctly he had judged of the trend of indiscipline in the wake of the boycott of students from entering the portals of schools and colleges. Speaking at the Appu Sastri Memorial meeting (1939) while dwelling on the topic of ‘birthrights’ he uttered some of the most prophetic words that an experienced publicist can be credited with. “Among the demands put forward are certain unheard of rights, often styled birthrights and declared to be inalienable and indefeasible. Students must be represented on managing bodies, consulted on all important matters, especially matters of punishment and appointment and retirement and dismissal of the staff, allowed to sit for public examinations without a preliminary sitting, and guaranteed percent of passes at them. These rights will be enforced, as occasion may require, by strikes and boycotts, by picketing, blocking of passages, lying prostrate on the road and fasting.” What a word for word true picture of the very acts of violence Sastriar had spoken of, we find today happening in our colleges and universities! (Pp. 286, 287)

Sastriar laid the entire country under a deep sense of gratitude by his discourses on the Ramayana, which have been already collected in a separate volume under the aegis of the Madras Samskrita Academy. Some of the lectures selected from them are also given here in the second volume. But the most literary of his utterances are embedded in the pen-portraits of some of the leading men of light and culture of his days. Surely these sketches and studies of his will bear ample evidences to posterity of his capacity to dive into the workings of the minds of others and his imaginative understanding of their foibles.

As priceless treasures, the two volumes will prove in any library of the world, and there can be very little doubt that readers will benefit greatly in studying these volumes for gaining a proper perspective in life of values which had endeared, some of these worthy sons of India to posterity.

The volumes could not have been better introduced to the world than by a noteworthy writer as Sri N. Raghunathan, whose credentials for the task cannot be doubted or questioned.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Sankara and Shanmata. Souvenir Published in connection with the conference on “Sankara and Shanmata” held in Madras in June 1969. Copies can be had from M. L. J. Press, Madras, 4. Price: Rs. 12.

It was an unusual sight, during the nine days from the first of June 1969, to find both scholars of varied countries and general public interested in religious subjects, attending in crowds the conference arranged with the blessings of the Acharyaswami of Kamakoti Peetham. Many were the papers read and many were the informing lectures delivered during the very active sessions on all the days, that people would have felt it a great want had not Sri N. Ramaratnam collected all the learned papers and published them without delay and priced the volume, nicely got-up, for a very nominal amount.

The volume is divided into sections appropriate to the contents therein. Thus we have a General section; then the Shanmatas of Ganaptyam, Kaumaram, Shaktam, Vaishnavam, Saivam and Sauram; the third section deals with the Advaita preceptor, Adi Sankara; and the fourth section contains tributes and studies of the present Acharya of the Kamakoti Peetham. It is needless to single out any particular article for comment or criticism. Yet one cannot pass without mentioning the contribution of Dr. Raghavan who has brought out the salient points of a worth-while study of the Shanmatas as Adi Sankara classified and established in their proper setting. Our grand old leader, Rajaji, has not failed to stamp his personality in an article entitled ‘Godlessness’ in which he deplores the growing scepticism of our people in our ancient faiths.

(Our learned reviewer has himself contributed an essay On “Rama–The Ever-crowned” to the volume,–EDITOR)

Also we find in the other sections important topics like ‘The Origin and Development of Kaumaram,’ ‘Sri Kamakoti Peetha of Sri Sankaracharya’ which give us a clear view of the birth and gradual intensification of worship of the deities and the aspects in which devotees should view such worship.

There are also articles by eminent scholars and savants from foreign countries. Either they are extracted with permission from extant publications of theirs, or they are fresh writings from their pens. The section on the present Acharya of Kamakoti Peetham contains soulful estimates of his services to the cause of spirituality and ‘bhakti’ especially.

A number of photographic blocks as well as tri-colour plates enhance the value of the publication. Except that the volume of such significance and usefulness had no page of Contents and Index in the end, there is little want for us to feel about the entire work of dedication, which those connected with it have been capable of bestowing upon it.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Sri Vallabhacharya by Bhai Manilal C. Parikh. Published by V. M. Parikh, Harmony House, Rajkot. (Gujarath) Price Rs. 20.

This is a satisfying account of the life, teaching and tradition of Sri Vallabhacharya who flourished in the 15th century A. D. and revived the Bhakti movement in the western parts of India during the period of onslaught by Islam. The author has made first-hand research study in his subject and presented in this volume a historical and also a critical survey of the work and influence of the Teacher. The treatment may be discursive at times but on the whole it is informative and well-documented.

The special contribution of this system, writes Sri Parikh, is the doctrine of Grace. To the surge of Bhakti, devotion, from the human end there must be a response from above; it is Grace that consummates and builds up, pushti. “Try to refer yourself to God by faith, hope and charity, surrender wholesale and turn all that you are and have into an instrument of divine grace by a sincere consecration, and God will lift you to his own plane. The efficacy of divine Grace comes out most beautifully in his system. Grace works by itself, provided we open ourselves to it by the wholesale surrender implied in our consecration. Lastly the goal to which Vallabha invites us is the highest possible, It is nothing less than a formal  participation in very life of GOd, Beatific Vision. For Vallabha maintains that at the end we shall know God in himself, in his own Light and Warmth.”

The book contains an interesting chapter on the abuses that have crept into the practice of the teaching and the measures that have been taken to correct the wrong tendencies.

Eternity in Words: Sri Sri Aurbindo’s Savitri by Rameshwar Gupta. Published by Chetana Prakashan, 44 Yusuf Building, M. G. Road, Bombay 1. Price. Rs. 16.

This study of Sri Aurobindo’s epic of 23 thousand lines, Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol, is specially welcome coming as it does, not from a devotee but by a scholar of English literature. Prof. Gupta presents his understanding of the work in a rational frame and shows how Savitri is the archetype of Future Poetry. In a telling comparison with the other notable epics in English and European literature, he points out how the thought range of Sri Aurobindo is more than cosmic and the spirit that breathes here is not of the earth but of the transcendent spheres. The World is not left out; on the other hand, there is a series of worlds that have claimed treatment and the sweep of the imagery covers even the television.

The author discusses the origins of the story, variation from the theme in Mahabharata, the conversion of a didactic story into a symbol of the spiritual evolution of man, the technique employed to express high spiritual experience into terms of human language and examines the worth of the poem purely as a poetic tour de force. He illustrates his points and communicates to the reader something of his enthusiasm.

The study is prefaced with a brief account of the life and work of Sri Aurobindo with particular attention to the literary side of his genius.

A systematic thesis focussing attention on a Poem that is unsurpassed for its Mantric potency, occult accent and spiritual appeal.
–M. P. PANDIT

Religion of Tirukkural by Dr. Muthuraman, Professor of Philosophy, Pachaiyyappa’s College, Madras-30. Published by the Author. Price Rs. 5.

Along with the Bible and the Das Capital, the Tirukkural shares the distinction of being the most widely translated work of literature in the world. Nothing definite is known about the exact age, faith, class, parentage, etc., of the great Tamil bard Tiruvalluvar. In 1330 epigramatic couplets spread over 133 chapters, the poet deals with all the ideals to be cherished and practised in the pursuit of Dharma, Artha and Kama in everyday life. Moksha was deliberately left out of the purview of the great Kural, leaving us to infer that it will be the automatic culmination of a life led in accordance with the ideals of the Kural.

The Kural is undoubtedly recognised as a universal treasure but in stressing its universality Dr. Muthuraman could have avoided certain needless controversies, especially when he makes no claims to originality in bringing out an addition to the existing works on the great masterpiece. Thiruvalluvar was an idealist par excellence but he can be called a saint or a sage only in a loose sense. He was extremely secular and catholic in his approach to life and appellations like “age,” “religion” etc., in relation to such a universal thinker detract from the glory of the poet. Dr. Muthuraman’s work starts with the usual accolades for the ancient past, the glorious heritage, etc., of the Tamils. One wishes he had pursued this subject in a mote scholarly way, citing authorities pro and con regarding the age of the Sangam poets instead of merely repeating the shibboleth of the modern Tamil chauvinists. And the author is treading dangerous ground when, in his zeal to be in tune with current political trends in Tamil Nadu, he tries to allude that the post-Sangam literature in Tamil represents a decline and decay compared to the glory that Tamil once was! It does no service to the cause of Tamil not to feel proud of Kamban, the Alwars and Nayanmars and a host of poets of the medieval era. And then, is it necessary to involve Tiruvalluvar in current controversies on Family Planning?
–T. C. A. RAMAN

A Study of Telugu Semantics by Prof. G. N. Reddy. Published by Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Price Rs. 4-50.

Semasiology, a branch of linguistics, is a most pleasing and interesting subject. But this did not receive as much attention as it deserved from the linguists. Especially is this the case with semantics in Telugu. As such this Study of Telugu Semantics, a thesis submitted for the Ph. D. Degree, is a welcome addition to the library of linguistics.

Part I of the volume deals with the meaning of the word Semantics, the relation between the word and meaning, meaning of meaning, the theory of Sphota, Dhvani, and context and cognition. Theories and conclusions of Western linguists like Bloomfield, Gray, Sanssere, Palmer, Ogden, C. K. and Richards are considered and compared with those of our ancient scholars like Patanjali and Bhartruhari. Some of the conclusions here are noteworthy: “The Phonemes or the Phonematic pattern with normal time sequence is analogous to the sphota of Patanjali and the Sound to his Dhvanis.” “We thus see that the explanation of relation between a linguistic form and its content as explained by the modern linguists and psychologists is more or less similar to what was postulated by the ancient Indian grammarians and philosophers.”

Parts II and III are devoted to descriptive and historical semantics respectively, wherein the author takes up many words and phrases from Telugu and considers the changes in meanings thereof. The chapter on the Historical Semantics is more interesting and scholarly. In fact a study of comparative and historical semantics of all Dravidian languages taken together is a long-felt desideratum and we hope that all the universities in Andhra, Tamilnad, Mysore and Kerala will bestow their serious thought on such a project ere long. The volume deserves to be possessed by every library and linguist.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Sabda Vrittis by Dr. Marula Siddiah. Published by the University of Mysore. Price: Rs. 13-50.

Vritti or the powers of words is an unexplored topic in Sanskrit linguistics, and the credit goes to Dr. Marula Siddiah for having made a comprehensive and comparative study of the same and presented his findings in this volume. Definitions available of the word Vritti in almost all the branches of Sanskrit literature, as far as they relate to linguistics, are discussed in detail and the author concludes that Vrittis are mental faculties to coordinate words with speech sounds. Likeness in the thoughts of ancient Indian linguists and modern linguists is brought to lime-light. “Discussions on Abhidha, Lakshana and Dhvani are amicably settled in the light of the views of Western scholars.” Finally the learned Doctor concludes that Vrittis unite Psychology, Epistemology and Philosophy. According to the author Anvitabhidhana theory “bears testimony and withstands any critical test as is based on scientific grounds. This book is most useful to post-graduate students of Sanskrit literature in particular and to all Sanskrit lovers in general.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Song of Life (Poems) by Dr. Sankara Srirama Rao, Eluru 2.

Dr. Srirama Rao offers in this slender volume an exquisite collection of a hundred intensely spiritual outpourings which justify Wordsworth’s dictum that poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings. In these days of rank materialism, spiritual poetry comes upon like an Oasis in an arid desert and brings “to weary feet the gift of rest.”

Dr. Rao’s spiritual vision is not precluded by any creed or dogma. Behind these poems gleams the shining image of the silent master, Meher Baba, who has come down to the earth not to preach but to awaken. Soaked in the spirit of the Gita, Dr. Rao derived from the silent master abundant inspiration that has sustained and enriched every activity of his fruitful life. Not content with prescribing only remedies for the ills of the body, Dr. Rao has found a spiritual tonic which vitalizes the drooping souls of those who grope for a richer and fuller life. Endowed with rich poetic imagination which promises a new earth and new Heaven, Dr. Rao expressed alternating moods of exultation and agony in his simple impassioned verse. His spiritual quest runs like a golden thread through the multi-coloured beads of his poems and bestows upon them intrinsic unity of tone and temper.

Dr. Rao’s poems display art which conceals art. The simplicity of his utterance is matched by artistic sincerity which is the prime requisite of all spiritual poetry. The rhythm and flow of his verse vary according to the fluctuations and inflexions of the feelings pulsating behind the line. Dr. Rao has displayed a remarkable ease and mastery in handling free-verse which exactly suits his purpose. It  is  quite a creditable attempt at English verse.
–DR. C. NARASIMHA SASTRI

The Revival of English Poetic Drama by Professor H. H. Anniah Gowda, Department of English, University of Mysore. Price Rs. 20-75.

Professor Gowda surveys poetic drama in England during the Edwardian and Georgian periods. This competent study examines the causes for the decline of poetic drama in the nineteenth century and describes the attempts at revival in the present century. More than a hundred plays by English and Irish writers have been critically scrutinised. The approach is fresh, sensitive and perceptive. Sanskrit poetic dramas and the technique of Noah dramas of Japan are brought under the purview of this illuminating study. According to the writer the poetic drama can better fulfil the purpose of drama though the condition of the modern stage may not be conducive to its development and acceptance. He goes on to point out that though the prose play is easier, more Popular and more in consonance with the temper and tempo of modern life than the poetic play, it falls short of achieving the aim of real drama. The writer offers a close study of renowned poets like Yeats, Bridges, Stephen, Phillips, Flecker and Binyon. His interpretation of T. S. Eliot’s plays is marked by insight and erudition.

Had the study been more uptodate it might have proved more useful and rewarding. The poetic dramas by the famous playwright, Christopher Fry, should have received attention in such a study of poetic drama.

However, this study is instructive and informative as far as it goes. Particular mention must be made of his brilliant exposition, and analysis of Thomas Hardy’s poetic drama The Dynasts where he perceives a new depth and beauty hitherto unnoticed by many Western critics as H. W. Wells observes in his fine foreword to this book.
–Dr. S. NARASIMHA SASTRI

Education in the Fourth Plan by J. P. Naik. Nachiketa Publications, 148 Mahatma Gandhi Road. BombaY-1. Price Rs. 7-50.

A nation-wide experiment in educational Planning has been going on in the country for the past two decades and there is a pressing need for an objective evaluation of the resulting problems and achievements as well as the errors of omission and commission. The book under review provides such a review and analysis by a person who has every qualification to undertake it.

Mr. Naik’s present book is a passionate call for a radical reorientation of the entire system of national education as an instrument of national development. And this call comes to us in ringing tones throughout the course of discussion on feasible core programmes devised to bring about a thorough internal transformation of education rather than quality improvement and expansion.

Countering the cynical criticism that there is very little to plan with in education or that educational planning must necessarily be long-term spread over a period of 15 or 20 years, Mr. Naik asserts that planning is not an exercise meant for times of plenty but is most called for in times of scarcity.

The most impressive chapters are the first and the third. After reading these one cannot but sympathise with the tremendous difficulties and formidable challenges faced by the educational planner in India. The annexure on the Education Commission’s recommendations adds to the value of the third chapter.

Written in a simple, direct and clear style, and with a critical approach to the issues, the book deserves to be read and brooded over by all espousing the cause of education in India.
–C. R. PRASAD RAO

Folk Tales of Bihar by P. C. Roy Chaudhury. Published by Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi, Price Rs. 8-00

Almost every land has its own heritages, and folk literature is one among them. According to some authorities like T. Benfey (who published Panchatantrain 1859), the source and store-house for the folk tales of other nations is India. Yet in India, there does not seem to be any organised effort at collecting and collating the folk literatures of the various ages and regions of India. True, folk tales amuse and entertain children mostly and the great majority of such stories are but feats of imagination and make-believe. But imagination is a mental exercise in its own right. Besides, each story has a moral, and a discourse in virtue is best inculcated through absorbing tales.

While folk tales mirror the ethos of a particular region and a particular age, they have a habit of crossing the barriers of time and space. Panchatantrais famous in lands other than India also. Cinderella or Snow White are known throughout the world.

The folk tales in the volume under review are divided into two parts. The first one gives some stories prevalent and popular in the districts of north and south Bihar while the second part contains a few tales “intimately associated with certain famous places in Bihar as well as some tribal folk tales.” Altogether, there are some 78 short stories. Some of them deal with human intrigues and counter-intrigues (e. g., “The Two Cheats” and “The Potter and the Raja”), others are concerned mainly with animals and still others have both humans and animals as “actors”. The language is simple, the stories are short, although there are few forgivable lapses on the printer’s part. But, considering the size of the volume, the price is rather high.
–K. V. SATYANARAYANA

Sahitya Samiti Vyasavali – II, Copies can he had from Balaji Publishers, Tirupati. Price : Rs. 3.

Here is a compilation of very good essays covering a wide range of subjects relating to Telugu language and literature. All the essays were prepared by learned scholars and were read at the literary gatherings organised by the Sahitya Samiti of Tirupati. Books on literary criticism in Telugu are by far few when compared with Hindi and Bengali. It is therefore gratifying to note that the Sahitya Samiti has taken up and continuing a project which is very necessary for the development of the Telugu language. The Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Academi deserves compliments for assisting the Samiti financially in bringing out this volume. It is hoped that the Samiti would continue to publish similar volumes and enrich the Telugu literature.
–BHAVARAJU

Johannes Gutenberg: 1468-1968 by Elizebeth Geck, Published by Inter Nationes. Bad Godesberg Copies can be had from the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Madras.

“The whole world admits unhesitatingly, and there can be no doubt about this, that Gutenberg’s invention (Printing) is the incomparably greatest event in the history of the world,” says Mark Twain.

It is impossible to over-estimate the value of the contribution made by the invention of Gutenberg to the progress and well-being of mankind. It is the printing word that carried Gandhi’s universal message of peace and brotherhood all over the world. Gutenberg’s first work, significantly, was also a message of love and peace, the Bible.

The book under review gives us an interesting reading of the life, struggles and achievement of the great inventor. The printing and get-up are very good and are in consonance with the great name that is associated with the book. Indian leaders are greatly indebted to the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Madras, for making the copies available in India.
–BHAVARAJU

Studies in the Philosophy of Education by Dr. V. P. Varma. Published by L. N. Agarwal, Agra. Rs. 16.

In this volume Dr. Varma has examined the theories of education from the ancient times of the Vedas and Plato down to Dewey and Russell. After faithfully representing the diverse views on education Dr. Varma pleads for a synthetic approach. He has dwelt upon the helpful role of a teacher in Vedic India pointing out the impact of the teacher’s personality on the impressionable minds of the students. As a process of leading out the potentialities of the student, as an activity concerned with full following of the human personality, education should receive a better deal in democratic countries. It embraces culture and religion by working towards the same end. It should not be treated as Cinderella in a country which cares for the preservation of the abiding values of life. Dr. Varma’s learned essays on the different aspects of education deserve close study and careful consideration by all those who are concerned with the field of education. It is insistence upon the Greek ideal of an integrated personality should find more ready acceptance in a world which is losing sight of that oneness because of the craze for over-specialisation. Not merely a career-giving but a soul-making education is the need of the hour and such a harmonious system can be evolved only when we have proper perspective of the functions assigned to education by thinkers of the East and the West. Dr. Varma’s attempt at presenting that perspective in these essays is successful and commendable.
DR. C. NARASIMHA SASTRI

TELUGU

Samskrita Mahabharata Viseshamulu by Garikapati Krishna Murty. Published by the Author, Arundelpet, Vijayawada-2. Price Rs. 7-50.

The learned author narrates herein in simple and lucid Telugu the main events connected with the lives of Vedayyasa, the five Pandavas, Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Salya, Asvathama and Srikrishna and incidentally points out their main characteristics also, as found in the Sanskrit Mahabharata, with relevant quotations from the text here and there. Summaries of Viduraneeti, Sanatsujateeyamu, and the 18 chapters of the Bhagavadgita are also included herein. The book is worth its price and is a good introduction to the study of Mahabharata.
–B.K.R.