Reviews

Swami Vivekananda: His Second Visit to the West: New Discoveries: By Mary Louise Burke. Advaita Ashrama (Publication Department), 5-Delhi Entally Road, Calcutta-14. Price: Rs. 32.

There has been a growing literature about Swami Vivekananda from his own disciples both of the West and East. Others also have tried to limn in his greatness from records and letters preserved by friends of the Swami. The author, to whose credit already a book with the title Swami Vivekananda in America: New Discoveries has made its appearance in 1958, has again added another equally heavy volume.

Readers, familiar with the Swami’s life and activities, sofar believed that his second visit to the West in 1899, was mainly with the purpose of recouping his lost health. But on the contrary from the new materials at the disposal of the author, much work in the name of the ‘Mother’, on whose mission alone he had been commissioned to go to the West by his Master, was then finished. Between the covers of the present volume one finds the “Swami rising again to the awe-inspiring heights of his ministry, unravelling the profound depths of his mission on earth, and uttering words of power, the promise of which has become the most precious spiritual heritage of man.”

Not only his utterances, some of which for the first time, find a place here, are recorded as taken from intimate notes and epistles reserved by his Western admirers, but even his daily habits and routine of attendance to classes where he taught Vedanta to his ardent disciples, have been faithfully recorded without much editing. Instances given of some of his words in answer to questions from intermittent questioners while staying in America, which are collected here, evidence the utter sincerity and adequacy for the talk of the author. He was once heard to say to a question asked of him why he had proposed to talk with enthusiasm of the Vedanta of his country, “My ideal can be put into a few words: and that is, to preach unto mankind their divinity and how to make it manifest inevery movement in life.”

It is most elevating to read how the Swami was teaching his students in the West along the Himalayan climb of spirituality to Realization. He taught them with care and attention, giving them his warmth of Love, joking with them to ease tensions, rebuking them if they showed waning efforts, assuring them of his guidance if they grew apprehensive of failure and in every way pouring upon them his limitless, grace. His magnetic personality with both his beaming face and vibrant voice was sufficient to strike whomsoever he met with growing attraction, and no wonder thousands became his instantaneous followers. Some of the important dailies of the place reported his speeches and concluded thus: “We Occidentals busy ourselves with the manifold. We can, however, have no understanding of the manifold if we have no sense of the one in which the manifold exists. The reality of the one is the truth, which the East may well teach us: and we owe a debt of gratitude to Vivekananda that he has taught us this lesson so effectively.”

Controversial topics such as the historicity of Sri Krishna raised by some of his questioners in the West has been answered by him in a manner that evokes our appreciation of his quick intellectual readiness of debating. He has shattered arguments of researchers with his own conclusive reply of the inability of a measuring rod, applicable to ordinary persons, trying to assess an author of such a great scripture as the Gita.

Save for the extensively collected materials, some of which for the sake of focussing pointed attention on more important matters and events, could have been normally eschewed, the volume under review gains in value because of some of the precious words of the Swami, hitherto not seen the light of day.

The profuse illustrations of photographs of the Swami himself in Western dress apart from other ones add considerably to the quality of the publication.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Twilight in China: By K. P. S. Menon. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 22-50.

Readers of the Sunday Standard may remember the weekly serialled articles in the form of letters from the pen of Sri K. P. S. Menon during the years 1969-’70. They were appearing in the press because of the interest they created in knowing about China, which had by then become India’s enemy by its invasion of the Himalayan borders and scraped territories originally belonging to us. The letters by themselves, apart from their contents as information about the political life there, are informed by a sense of keen perception of human values, apparently lacking in some of the activities of the new wave of Communism engulfing China.

Sri K. P. S. Menon was appointed the Agent General to the Foreign Office between 1942-’45 during the British Rule in India, and later as Ambassador of India during the transitional period till 1948. For more than six years he had served in one important role or other. His letters then addressed to two English officials and later to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru form the body of the entire volume under review. They are certainly full or lively comment the situation in China under the reign of Chiang Kai-Shek as President of the Kuomintang party. He has portrayed in graphic language some of the outstanding figures in Chinese and international spheres, such as Chiang Kai-Shek, Madame Chang Kai-Shek, Dr. H. H. Kung, the Finance Minister, Mao Tse-Tung, Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Chou En Lai, The Soong Sisters, Lord Mountbatten, Generals Sitwell and Marshall.

What strikes readers most is the self-imposed arduous journey undertaken by the author to reach China by the overland route. As in the days of yore when travellers like Fa-Hian, Hsuan Tsang from China scaled the mountainous route to reach India, he also climbed the Himalayan heights for nearly 125 days, drinking of the beauties unravelled before his sight of the mysterious Himalayas, frequently covering and uncovering by the clouds settling over its eternal snows. One has to admire the intrepid spirit which goaded the author to make the difficult journey for the sheer delight and thrill it provided.

The epilogue is one of the very attractive chapters of this enjoyable volume, giving us his assessment of the crucial period ahead of his own stay in China.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Selected Poems: By Manmohan Ghose. Compiled by Lotika Ghose. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Price: Rs. 15.

It is in the fitness of things that the Sahitya Akademi has been able to bring out the Selected Poems by a great son of India, Manmohan Ghose. If Sri Aurobindo was the Sannyasi, Manmohan was the householder who experienced all the tribulations and sorrows of a family life and expressed them in his poems. The biographical sketch given by his daughter Lotika Ghose gives a very comprehensive picture of this great poet, philosopher, scholar and educationist whose works are a great link between the cultures of India and Europe. The annotations at the end of the book are also very helpful in understanding the poems.

The Selected Poems includes a number of lyrics of his early and later years, his epic poems Perseus, The Gorgon Slayer, Adam Alarmed in Paradise and Nollo and Damayanthi which the author has described as an Indian mystery play.

Too often has the great Manmohan Ghose been overshadowed by his great brother Sri Aurobindo Ghose. As a poet, Manmohan Ghose’s poems are close to the heart of the common man, as they are the fruits of his own painful experiences of life. The Selected Poems with the preface by Prof. Norman Jeffares, foreword by Dr Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, the Memorial address by Rablndranath Tagore serve as a good introduction to the poems. A study of Indo-Anglian poetry can never be complete without the poems of Manmohan Ghose.
–DR MRS. ILA RAO

Epictetus: By John Bonforte. Philosophical Library, New York. Price: $ 6.

The present volume presents the Discourses of Epictetus, translated into English by Higginson into a series of dialogues in readable contemporary English. The philosopher lived in the first century A. D. and was a representative of Stoicism. He was taken to Rome when he was young and served as a slave there for a long time. He was lame in his legs as an effect of the torture imposed upon him by the Emperor. Most of his discourses are lost. The four remaining books were translated from Greek into English in the 18th century.

Epictetus believed like his successor Marcus Auruleus that human happiness consists in living according to the laws of nature. The book covers as many as 76 topics, comprehending the varied problems of human life and the differing situations in which man is placed. The conflicts and the contrasts in human nature and the allied attributes that lend weight to them are discussed. The teachings of the sage are neither old nor new but eternal. They have a terrific topicality to the clamouring demands and problems of our age. The sage’s views on anxiety, affection, family affection, fortune-tellers, God and man, obstinacy, the worried scholar, etc., are rewarding reading and supremely instructive. The difficulty about Stoicism to the Indian student is that it is calculated to increase one’s egoism. The stoic believes that man by his own powers, unaided by any external factors can save himself. The stoic asserts the exclusive autonomy of man. The theist parts company and insists on devotion to God and his grace as necessary for redeeming man of his weaknesses. Mere self-control will not avail and we need the saving grace of the Lord also. This aspect is stressed by Christianity. The book is an excellent introduction to the study of the great philosopher.
–DR P. NAGARAJA RAO

Mystic Approach to the Veda and the Upanishad: By M. P. Pandit. Ganesh and Company, Madras-l7. Price: Rs. 10.

Following the blaze trailed out by Sri Aurobindo and based on the commentary Siddhaanjana of Sri Kapali Sastriar, these studies of M. P. Pandit are valuable contributions in the field of the esoteric interpretation of the Veda and the Upanishad.

The only sensible interpretation of the Veda has been shown to be the esoteric interpretation, as otherwise the Veda cannot deserve the time-honoured appellation, the Book of Revelatory Knowledge. The esoteric interpretation always gives an all-round, cogent and consistent sense. The mystical is no longer misty and the occult reveals itself to the discerning eye. If the Vedic Soma is taken to mean, not some liquor, wine or intoxicating drink, but the essence of existence, the sap of life underlying everything, the rasa, the savour of delight that sustains, then one understands why the Vedic Rishi devoted a whole Mandala to the laud of this godhead. Quoting Rik after Rik, Pandit explains the esoteric significance of the Vedic Soma, the rite of extraction and the occult Sadhana.

The Legend of Sunah-shepa is explained in depth and the whole symbolism and significance of the sacrifice are clearly brought out with the correct interpretation of the Riks themselves. The Purusha Medha, the author points out, is not to be confounded with narabali, human sacrifice. In Purusha Medha, the Yajamana who does the sacrifice offers to the Vriat Purusha, the Universal Person, gives what rightfully belongs to Him.

In a striking study of the Upanishads, the author emphasizes that they do not run counter to Vedic thought and tradition, but are a continuation and amplification of the great Vedic wisdom.
–S. SHANKARANARAYANAN

Current Trends in Indian Philosophy: Editors: Dr K. Satchidananda Murty and Dr K. Ramakrishna Rao. Asia Publishing House, Bombay-1. Price: Rs. 25-00.

Philosophic thoughts of more than twenty professors of philosophy in modern India are found recorded herein. Prof. Satchidananda Murty in his introduction explains how philosophy in modern India is closely related to politics and social conditions, and some of the articles herein bear ample testimony to that statement. Dr N. V. Banerjee comes to the conclusion that Advaita Vedanta failed to fulfil the demands of philosophy both theoretical and practical. Dr K. BHattacharya asserts that metaphysics, unlike science which studies a relatively empirical structure, proposes to arrive at a deeper structure primarily through non-sensuous intuition. “Scientific Humanism” is an interesting study. Dr S. N. Chakravarti suggests that our philosophers must give philosophic form to the naturalistic and democratic socialist temper of the age. Dr J. N. Chubb pleads for the cultivation of the attitude of the Saakshin and believes that the dilemma confronting an anti-metaphysical philosopher does not exist to him who accepts the spiritual philosophy like the Vedanta. “Appearance and reality” is a searching article. “Truth an Error” is a good comparative study of the subject. The suggestion thrown by Dr. S. C. Chatterjee for formulating a world philosophy deserves serious consideration and is practical in its approach. Dr C. Kunhan Raja believes that God and Religion, the two causes of disruption of humanity should be removed from the life of man. Dr. K. C. Varadachari feels that there is a need in philosophy to become a person integrated and undivided, and dilates upon this topic. Dr K. Ramakrishna Rao’s practicalistic approach to philosophy is quite realistic in approach and in tune with modern thinking. Other articles too have their share of contribution to modern thinking and provide food for thought.
–SANDILYA

The Nature of Our Seeking: By N. Sri Ram. Theosophical Publishing House, Madras-20. Price:

Each of these twenty-one essays has something enlightening to say about the life-situations of every thinking individual. Dr. Sri Ram subjects human feelings and thoughts to a dispassionate scrutiny and exposes their self-centration. He analyses the collective life in evolution and points out how the underlying impulsions tend towards an eventual brotherhood. Speaking of the new era that is imminent at this stage in the history of humanity he focuses the newness in the quality of the consciousness that man is to grow into. It is spiritual–not in a world-negating sense–but in an all-comprehending awareness. Quoting a German poet, he writes: “The choice is brief and yet endless. Brief because it has to be made within a very short period of time, before one is overtaken by calamity. The consequences of the choice are endless. For this fateful choice every single one of us has a measure of responsibility.” (P.246)
–M. P. PANDIT

Some Aspects of Vedanta Philosophy: By Swamy Siddheshwarananda. Sri Ramakrishna Ashram, Puranattukara (Trichur). Kerala. Price: Rs. 8.

Containing some of the lectures delivered at the Toulouse University in France, this volume is a reliable guide to the fundamentals of the Vedanta philosophy, especially the Advaita of Shankara. After giving a ground of the Vedas and the Upanishads, the author considers the place occupied by the Bhagavad Gita in the Indian tradition. He describes how the Gita has defined the approaches and goals of the three Yogas, e.g., Jnana, Bhakti and Karma, and has laid down the connotations of important concepts like Self, Brahman, Avatara, Prakriti, etc.

The Reality as Sat-Chit-Ananda, the dichotomy of the Sankhya, the phenomenon of dreams, the doctrine of sacrifice and its key role in the evolution of Indian religion and spirituality are themes of the remaining chapters. The discussion is both scholar and appealing.

The Hidden Teaching Beyond Yoga: By Paul Brunton. B. I. Publications, 13 Dayarganj, Delhi-6. Price: Rs. 7-50.

Readers in India know of Paul Brunton as the author of A Search into Secret India and particularly as one who publicised Sri Ramana Maharshi to the modern world. His writings during those years on the Maharshi have still a powerful appeal and draw many to that magnet of Arunachala. But Dr Brunton himself felt the teaching of the Sage inadequate to his needs and went on to speak of the philosophy of the ‘Overself’ beyond the doctrine of the Self to which Indian tradition attaches so much importance. In these pages he tries to justify himself and answer criticisms. He writes that Yoga or mysticism in themselves are not enough to make one know the Reality; he pleads for a combination with philosophy and metaphysics. Perhaps that is Brunton’s dish. Most spiritual seekers, however, will shy away from it.
–M. P. PANDIT

Plato on Man: By A. N. Zakopoulos. Philosophical Library, New York. Price: 7-50 Dollars. 

A clear analysis of the thought of Plato on the being of man. Whether man consists mainly of the body or of the soul or both, the nature of the soul, its origin and destiny, and its relation to the body, the concept of immortality and allied topics are discussed in brief. A survey of pre-Platonic thought on the subject as also a look at the modern science of behaviourism and humanistic psychology give a helpful perspective to assess the contribution of Plato in this field.
–M. P. PANDIT

Gems from the Veda: By M. P. Pandit Ganesh and Company, Madras-l 7. Price: Rs. 6.

This is another valuable ornament from the hands of Sri M. P. Pandit added to the existent literature on Vedic studies. This is in line with his previous book “Gleanings from the Upanishads.” Selection of the Gems, the author says, has been made from the standpoint of Yoga Sadhana. All the translations of the Riks are by Sri Aurobindo. Explanations are based on Sri Aurobindo’s interpretations of the Veda. Riks are given in Devanagari script. There are 102 Riks covering about 90 topics like Consecrated Service, the Aditi and Dawn, Divine Doors, Peace three-fold, Seven ecstasies, Surrendering, and Thought and Heart, etc. Each Rik has a universal appeal and message to be heeded to. As long as man exerts himself in the service of his own ego goaded by personal desire all action becomes a means for bondage. He stays confined to the lower levels of existence, crabbed and cabined in his limited movements. But if he moves away from this slavery to desire and ego, and learns to act in dedication to the Divine, offers his energies in the service of the Divine Truth without regard to personal calculation of fruits, action becomes a lever for upliftment to the higher and wider levels of the unbound Spirit. Work becomes a force for liberation.” Sincere Sadhakas should go in for these Gems.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Vedantasara Sangraha of Sri Anantendrayati in English: By Dr T. M. P. Mahadevan. Ganesh & Co., Madras–17. Price: Rs. 3-00.

This is a Primer of Advaita Vedanta. In 224 verses it expounds the quintessence of Vedanta following the pedagogical tradition. Contrary to the usual view Anantendra holds that liberation in life (Jivanmukti) and liberation without body (Videhamukti) can be had even while living. The translation is very lucid. E. g.,

“That wise one, who is liberated in life, becomes, verily, liberated from the body, through remaining always in Brahman, O the-twice-born one!......

“Since there is not the manifestation of the body, it (that state) is regarded as liberation from the body.”

Translation of 41 verses selected from “Vivekachudamani” with the text in Roman script is given as an appendix to this text. An introduction of twenty pages by Dr T. M. P. Mahadevan gives an analytical resume of the text. Inclusion of the original text also in Roman script will add to the value of the book.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Stories of King Madana Kama: Retold by V. A. K. Ayer. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 5.

The stories of Madana Kama Raja are popular in South India. The author of these stories is believed to be the Tamil poet of the twelfth century, Pugazhendi. Using the structure of a frame-tale, like in the Panchatantra and the Arabian Nights, a number of captivating stories are narrated with great skill. Indeed, this collection has certain similarities to the latter book where the Vazir’s daughter, Shaharazad, narrates over one thousand tales to Sultan Shariar over an equal number of nights. In order to escape the punishment of death, she stops in the middle of a story at a very suspenseful point on the pretext that it was daybreak. She obtains daily extensions of her life because the Sultan’s curiosity was roused. In the Stories of Madana Kama, the Prime Minister’s son and the Prince’s companion, Buddhi Chaturya, narrates stories to two Princesses (who visit him on alternate nights) on twelve successive nights in order to postpone the consummation of his “marriage” to them because he wanted his friend, Prince Madana Kama, to marry one of them first. Buddhi Chaturya does not stop in the middle of a story at day-break as Shaharazad does, but he could easily persuade the princesses to go to their room in the mornings.

These stories are very entertaining because they deal with adventures which often belong to the realm of fantasy. Mr. Ayer’s principal aim in “retelling” these fine stories is to make them available to a much larger world. That this worthy aim has been fulfilled is borne out by the fact that this is a second edition of the book which appeared a decade ago. Mr. Ayer’s translations are full of wit, wisdom and grace, and they are written in impeccable English.
–E. NAGESWARA RAO

Guru Nanak and the Origins of the Sikh Faith: By Harbans Singh. Asia Publishing House, Bombay-1. Price: Rs. 18-75.

“As the Lord sends His word so do I deliver it,” said Guru Nanak, the great prophet. Hence in his sacred verses he left no account of himself or of his time. Sublime were his themes–God and man.

Yet his disciples and admirers lost no time in gathering anecdotes about the Guru. It has been a long way from the first account of the Guru’s life, the Janamsakhi, to the present one, historical perspective and objectivity playing a greater role gradually.

The Janamsakhi recorded that on looking at the infant Nanak, the astrologer, Pandit Hardyal, had exclaimed, “Both Hindus and Turks will reverence him; his name will become current on earth and in heaven. The ocean will give him the way; so will the earth and skies. He will worship and acknowledge but One Formless Lord and teach others to do so...”

In the first quotation the emphasis is on the inborn greatness of the soul. In the second the emphasis is on “the response of sensitive and humanitarian spirits to situations potent with ferment and challenge.”

The truth perhaps lies in a synthesis of the two ways of looking at the phenomenon. The greatness of a soul, independent of the time, is a fact. But such souls choose a relevant time to manifest themselves.

Sardar Harbans Singh’s work is a milestone in the genre of biographical literature. Rich with informations yet non-pedantic in tone, the author recreates the time with a rare calmness, without a single bubble of passion that the memory of subsequent events could have produced in an average historian.
–MANOJ DAS

Dr C. R. Reddy: By D. Anjaneyulu. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Price: Rs. 2-50.

This book on Dr C. R. Reddy, is in the nature of a biography. I have purposely used the words “in the nature of biography”, since it is not strictly one, though it gives a brief life-sketch of Dr Reddy. It is a monograph, being one of the series of “Makers of Indian literature commissioned by the Sahitya Akademi.

These monographs in English–nearly two dozen in number so far published–are proving to be highly useful in bringing about an understanding amongst different linguistic groups of India.

Dr Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy had a brilliant mind and showed much promise. The Telugu people had every reason to entertain high expectations of him. With his extraordinary ability and equipment, Dr Reddy could have been one of the foremost leaders of the renaissance of the Telugu people. But, alas, those hopes were only partly realised, though his contribution to the growth of Telugu culture was of a high order.

However, this book, mainly concerns itself, with the literary facet of Dr Reddy’s life. It gives an assessment of his literary contribution. As all Telugus know to their chagrin, that contribution could have been very wide, but is in fact very limited. Limited though it is, it is trend-setting and in a way epoch-making. It is Dr Reddy who introduced into Telugu literature, literary criticism, from modern and scientific perspective.

Well-versed, as he was, in the trends of modern languages, Dr Reddy sought to project those perspectives into the growth of his own language. He had an incisive and original mind and that greatly added to the style of his criticism of Telugu literature.

In his attractive and engaging style, Mr Anjaneyulu brought out all these features of Dr Reddy’s literary activity, besides narrating briefly his life and other pursuits. Every one of the 65 pages of this monograph is highly readable. For an easy reference, landmarks in Dr Reddy’s life and bibliography of his writings are also given. Dr Reddy’s speech on Sri Veeresalingam entitled ‘Literature as a means of action’, which is included in this volume, depicts vividly, not only his appraisal of Veeresalingam’s work, but also his own views on social renaissance.

This book gives us a proper assessment of one of the greatest of the Telugus, and in addition, provides an enjoyable treat and feast of excellent English.
–JUSTICE A. SAMBASIVA RAO

Landmarks in Telugu Literature: By C. R. Sarma. Distributors: M. Seshachalam & Co., 14 Sunkurama Chetty Street, Madras-1, Price: Rs. 8.

The history of Telugu literature spreads over the last ten centuries during which period it had a phenomenal growth and it ranks today as one of the richest languages of India. There are several books in English dealing with the growth of Telugu literature but the present work is a monograph which highlights its landmarks within a self-imposed size. The treatment of the subject is also novel and direct.

The poet-trio were the harbingers of the glorious era that was to follow in Telugu literature and were succeeded by giants like Somanatha, Srinatha and Potana who became the makers of the literature. The period of Krishnadevaraya was the Periclean Age and some of the greatest poetic works in Telugu were the products of this era. After the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire, Telugu moved South-wards to Thanjavur and Madurai and the Southern school in Telugu literature was unique in several respects.

With the nineteenth century began an entirely new period of Telugu literature, brought about by the influence of English rule in India, the impact of European civilisation and the introduction of Western scientific methods of research and ideals of scholarship. Dr Sarma has had to deal with a vast mass of material in this section, viz., modern poetry, novel, short-story, drama, biography, literary criticism, etc., and it is creditable that he has compressed so much of detail in about 30 pages without any significant omission.

The author is a prolific but discerning writer and this little book is eminently readable. The bio-date of more than 130 authors forms a very useful appendix.
–T. S. PARTHASARATHY

Introduction to Saint Gregory Palamas: By George C. Papademetriou. Philosophical Library, New York. 1973. Price: 5 Dollars.

The book is a product of George C. Papademetriou’s research on the life and works of Saint Gregory Palamas, “great fourteenth century Saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church”, sponsored by Archbishop Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the Taylor Scholarship Foundation.

Saint Gregory Palamas was born in Constantinople of the Byzantine Empire in 1296. A brilliant student of Aristotle, he became a monk chosen by the monks of Athos to guide them to the Holy Land. He practised the hesychia, complete silence and contemplation. Around 1335, he became abbot of the Monastery Esphigmenou; later he was ordained Archbishop of Thessalonica. He was imprisoned in Constantinople by the anti-Palamites for some time. He died on November 14, 1359. In the Religious Council of 1368 in Constantinople, “he was proclaimed a Saint and placed on the official Calendar of Hagia Sophia, and later on that of all the Orthodox Churches. He is venerated as the champion of Orthodoxy and as a great doctor of the Church.”

Myriad are his writings: he has written (i) Concerning the Holy Spirit; (ii) Letters to the first leaders of the anti-Hesychasts (like the Greek monk Barlaam) regarding the procession of the Holy Spirit and the distinction between the essence and energies of God; (iii) In defence of the Hesychasts explaining the relation of body and soul, holy illumination and perfection; (iv) Confessional writings expressing his Orthodox faith; (v) Letters referring to Hesychastic Controversy defending his views against his opponents; (vi) Treatises referring to Hesychastic Controversy explaining the unity and distinction in God; (vii) Against Akindynos; (viii) Against Nicephoros Gregoras giving an account of his debates with Gregoras in Constantinople refuting Gregoras; (ix) On His Pastoral Activity; (x) Ascetic and Spiritual Life; and (xi) Sermons concerning ethical, social, and liturgical life of the individual Christian. Through his writings Saint Palamas contributed much to the treasures of Christian theology.

The book reveals the author’s dedication to research, profound religious consciousness, and scholarship in Greek, Latin and English languages. Another fine feature is his graceful and free style. His observations often bear resemblance with some of the Vedic and Upanishadic facts. The book is no doubt interesting and a must to all who are interested in philosophy and particularly Christian theology.
–DR K. V. S. MURTI

The Imperial Guptas: By P. L. Gupta. Vishwavidyalaya Prakasan, Varanasi. Price: Rs. 45.

P. L. Gupta’s book under review is a detailed, comprehensive study of the political history of the Guptas. After a thorough review of the source material, inscriptional and otherwise, the author takes up the study of the political history, detailing each successive reign of the great monarchs. The first important aspect of this book is the exhaustive treatment of the source material. Not only the inscriptions but also seals and coins are analysed and discussed in a scholarly manner. In dealing with the literature, the author has taken pains to acquaint the reader with gleanings from Sanskritic, Buddhist and Jain literature. The entire extract of Devichandraguptan is furnished with English translation.

The author discusses the genealogy and chronology of the Guptas in a lengthy chapter (pages 169-204). After citing the elaborate evidence, the author comes to the conclusion that the Gupta era started in 319 A. D. The author’s treatment of the reign of Chandragupta is particularly noteworthy. The later chapters contain an account of Mihirakula, the Huna leader. The book contains an exhaustive index. On the whole the treatment of the subjects is scholarly and up-to-date.
–DR. K. SUNDARAM

The Supreme Master (Sri Akkalkot Maharaj): By E. Bharadwaja, M.A., Vidyanagar, Nellore District. Price: Rs. 2-75.

Sri Bharadwaja’s biography of Sri Swami Samardh, popularly known as Akkalkot Maharaj, presents the life and work of one of the venerable saints of Maharashtra. He was hailed and adored as an incarnation of Dattatreya. He first appeared at Akkalkot in 1856 and his mortal coil was shuffled off in 1878. During his sojourn on this planet the saint performed several miracles which transcend the bounds of petty rational analysis. He was a tower of strength and a pillar of light to the numerous devotees who looked up to him as their protector. Like the miracles of Sainath of Shirdi, these miracles also were performed not for self-advertisement but for the reinforcing of faith in doubting minds and ministering hope and joy, solace and succour to languishing spirits. It is befitting that Sri Bharadwaja should have dedicated this book to Sainath of Shirdi whose life and mission bear some points of similarity to those of Swami Samardh.
–DR C. N. SASTRI

Problems of Aesthetics: By Dr G. Srinivasan. Published by D. V. K. Moorthy, Mysore-4. Price Rs. 4-50.

The book is an expatiation on Aesthetics and its problems. The science of beauty is said to originate in reflection about art-creation and art-appreciation. It is counted as one branch of Axiology, the others being Logic and Ethics. Aesthetics provides the framework for the evaluation of beauty whether natural or artistic.  Awareness and experience of beauty is considered a generic trait of all human beings. ‘Empathy and Psychic distance’ are held as essential to aesthetic experience specially with reference to drama.

Both the subject and the object become the loci of beauty. Beauty as a quality of the object, as a feeling of pleasure, and as mere relation between the object and the subject is discussed and rejected in favour of the theory ‘Beauty as Emergent’ which recognizes the essentiality of the trinity in aesthetic evaluation. And it is emphasised that aesthetic value should be in conformity with accepted canons.

‘Rasa’ is defined as aesthetic delight, arising out of a complex of vibhavas, anubhavas, bhavas, vyabhichari-bhavas and satvikabhavas. As against these views set out in the book it may be argued that aesthetics, after all, is a science. Beauty, reduced to laws, is no beauty. It does not dwell in Art that stays trim.

Beauty is a creation of pure inspiration. The touch of ‘reflection’ spawns ugliness.
–K. SUBBA RAO

The Ruins of the Morning: By Subhas Chandra Saha. Writers Workshop, Calcutta. Price: Rs. 10.

Subhas Chandra Saha has published so far six volumes of poems (sponsored by the Writers Workshop); and The Ruins of the Morning is his latest book. Saha writes distinct prose lyrics; and the book comprises twenty poems on varied themes. The words and images are carefully selected; sometimes with a shade of ambiguity which the poet appears to have been developing as a technique.

Saha is still in his romantic twenties; and the poems are in tune with his true spirit. Some of the poems – “The Paradox”, “The Pit of Poison”, and “Tears” – are really good; and they are pointers to his crystallizing maturity.

As the title suggests, there appears a strain of tragic compassion in comic delight. There is no doubt that Saha has yet to write with ‘purpose and direction.’ However, it is a book which ought to be read by all lovers of creative literature.
–Dr K. V. S. MURTI

SANSKRIT

Sri Ramayanasara Kavyatilakam: By Madhuravani. Editor B. Ramaraju. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad, Price: Rs. 6.

“Ramayanasara Kavyatilakam” was originally written in Telugu by Raghunadha Nayaka, the King of Tanjore. Madhuravani a beloved of the king and a poetess of eminence translated that into lucid and mellifluous Sanskrit. The present book consists of only fourteen cantos and the story of the Sundarakanda is completed. The remaining portion of the book is not extant now. The poetess adopts “Prasa” common to Telugu metros in Sanskrit verses also here and there. Her fondness for Chitrakavitva is also made manifest here. Our hearty commendations go to the learned Editor, who spared no pains for editing this work. A few cantos of this book deserve to be prescribed for collegiate study.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

TELUGU

Srimad Bhagavatanusilanamu: By Dr D. Sriramamurty. Copies can be had from the author, 2-2-1105/80–A, Tilak Nagar, Hyderabad-44. Price Rs. 25.

Scholarship in Telugu and Sanskrit, leisurely study of the Bhagavata texts in Sanskrit and Telugu, and critical acumen of the author are all evident in every page of this work which is approved for the Doctorate thesis of the Osmania University. This work aims at a critical appreciation of Potana’s Bhagavatam in Telugu.The technique of translation adapted by Potana is elucidated clearly with illustrations from the texts. The author points out with a number of proofs that the original manuscript of Potana’s Bhagavatom was not handed over to us in tact. Many lines and words are missing in them. Later poets completed those lines and they bungled therein hopelessly. So there is a dire need now to make a comparative study of the Telugu and Sanskrit texts and bring out a corrected version as far as possible of the original Telugu text. A second noteworthy point is this. Every important story contains a keynote and this is suggested by Potana by appropriate words and phrases in his translation. This is evidenced here by a study of the stories of Rukminikalyana and Gajendramoksha, etc,

In an exhaustive study of the grammatical usages, and metres found in the Bhagavatamu the author contends that Potana is a strict adherent to the rules of grammar and prosody and the solecisms we come across are not of Potana butof those that completed the missing lines and passages. All the poetic talents of Potana are explained with appropriate citations. The last chapter dealing with Saatvatamatamu and Bhaktirasamu are scholarly and they merit a close study.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Bharatiya Tattvasastramu–Part II: (Avaidika Darsanamulu): By Dr P. Subrahmanya Sastry. Sadhana Grandhamandali, Tenali. Andhra Pradesh. Price: Rs. 3.

Sadhana Grandhamandali of Tenali is doing signal service to Hindu religion, philosophy and culture by publishing books “for all times” in Telugu language. The first part of Bharatiya Tattva Darsanamu written by Swami Nirvikalpananda was already published by this Grandhamandali. This is the second part. It deals with six non-Vedic systems of Indian philosophy, viz., Charvaka, Jaina, Bauddha, Pasupata, Pratyabhijna and Sabdadvaita. The author is a versatile scholar and a genius. The presentation treatment of the subject in a crisp style is exhaustive, and authoritative. A worthy book from a worthy author, we commend to all students of Indian philosophy.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Sweeya Jeevita Sameeksha: By Kamaraju Hanumanta Rao, Editor, Prak Prateechi Grandhamala, Rajahmundry-3. Price: Rs. 8.

The author, a grand old man of ninety years, reviews his eventful life motivated by a spirit of candid introspection. He was fortunate enough to have worked along with stalwarts like Veeresalingam Pantulu and Venkataratnam Naidu. We find in him the same reformistic zeal coupled with spiritual fervour. We find in these pages portraits of great leaders ofthought and the momentous times during which the author’s flaming spirit kept burning with undimmed lustre. Besides being a personal document the book stands as a mirror of the times, of the bygone days when the country was shaken by political upheaval and social reform which had a sound spiritual basis. The mighty figure Veeresalingam looms large on the fabric of this autobiography which deserves to be read by one and all.
–Dr C. N. SASTRI

Jnaneswari Bhagavadgita: By Sant Siromani Sri Jnaneswar. Translated into Telugu by Sri Digavalli Seshagiri Rao. Triveni Publishers, Masulipatam. Price: Rs. 25.

The name of Jnanadeva stands preeminent not only in the religious and literary history of Maharashtra but in that of entire Bharat and the world as well.

This commentary called Bhaavaarthadeepika or popularly known as “Jnaneswari” by such an original thinker who was well-trained in the school of adversity and trouble struck a new line of thought unlike those of Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhwa or other seers whose careers were entirely different, even and smooth facing none of the problems that confronted Jnanadeva. Without adhering to any preestablished doctrine he approached the text with an open mind paying attention to the description of Gita as given by Vyaasa alone. His is neither a commentary nor a translation but a restatement, as it were, of Bhagavadgita itself (its philosophy), in his own words in poetic form. With the grace of prose and the charm of poetry it is a creative work with deep insight into the mysteries of nature and the existential relationship between man and God, the great unknown, offering solutions to many of the challenges of life. Like the great Buddha, he approaches the problem of life directly, with utter humility taking the world into a reality. He considers Gita as a book of infinite knowledge and source of wisdom.

The present volume of the Telugu translation is a reprint and appears to have been done with great care. The language is simple and lucid. It does not fully conform to, either the Graandhika or Vyaavahaarika styles but appears to be a mix-up. The book satisfies a great need in the field of religion and philosophy
–VEDAM VENKATARAYA SASTRY