Reviews

C. Rajagopalachari: By K. T. Narasimhachar. Heritage Publishers. Connaught Circus, New Delhi; Price. Rs. 40.

The multi-faceted personality of Rajaji can profitably lend itself to any amount of good study. If anyone’s life could yield much material for rich lessons to be absorbed by the keen citizen of a future India, it is his. Within an expanse of more than sixty years of eventful public life, Rajaji had practical1y garnered great experiences that have perennial value for generations of politicians and statesmen. So, it will be no superfluity, if more writers take to give us the benefit of their understanding or analysis of his powerful brain and achievements not only as a patriot but as a winsome writer both in English and Tamil. Fine records of his memorable acts as an administrator, as also his careful conduct and behaviour in his home as well as in the public eye, deserve preserving in the amber of good prose.

Here is a volume by one with a keen perception of the springs of action of a wise man of the present age who, along with the Mahatma and many other giants among the first-rank politicians of the country, gained a place in the history of the freedom struggle. But the author’s claim to have said much of his life may not be justified, for we gather a worthy study of Rajaji’s mind only in a greater measure in these pages. True, Rajaji did not himself relate much about his own past and what few incidents that could be collected fill the need in a meagre way. Except the episode of his early explanation for the blue colour as represented in Mythology for God, which has also run into different versions, there is not much matter concerning his upbringing or his striking personal qualities till his entry into public life.

The chief merit of this book of nearly 180 pages is the successful portrayal of Rajaji’s gifts as an administrator and the chapters on him as “Interpreter of Indian Culture”, “Eminence as a Writer” and “Devotee of Dharma” are really well-chosen to instill in the reader the legitimate pride that we as Indians can feel in his mastery of understanding of our great heritage. An example of the author’s brief yet convincing manner of interesting the reader in his description of Rajaji can be availed of in the following paragraph: “Though he dealt with everyday problems of political life in India and the world, he raised his ideas to the pinnacle of elevated thoughts. He based his philosophy of life on ethical principles that are eternal and the common legacy of all great religions of the world. The result is that he elevates the reader to an atmosphere that inhibits all ideas of transient glory and impermanent achievement. He impresses on people the power of prayer and the significant part it plays in the shaping of our daily lives for their good.”

The writer possesses a clear and convincing style which adds to the merit of brevity of encompassing vast materials within a few hundred pages. The index makes the book more useful for ready references.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Rajaji: Life and Work: By R. K. Murthi. Allora Publications, Dayar Ganj, New Delhi-3. Price: Rs. 50.

This is a short sketch of Rajaji’s eventful life and political career, offering the readers almost some of the same details which have been dwelt upon by other earlier publications in this centenary year of Rajaji’s birth. But because of the incidents mentioned being the same, the narrative does not on that score lack intrinsic quality for engaging us. Each writer tries to view the thoughts and activities of the great man from his own particular angle. Therefore naturally the stress changes with everybody’s reactions and so provides the general reader ample material to peruse and ponder over.

The author has very usefully added the last seven chapters containing enough peeps into the versatile mind, regulated behaviour and clean habits of Rajaji which, despite again of the already familiar anecdotes, prove of immense source of interest. The fact they are so rich of objective lessons to most of our leaders in public life, they are sure never to reach the limit of saturation.
–“SAHRIDAYA”

Rajaji and Gandhi: By B. K. Ahluwalia and Shashi Ahluwalia. Allora publications, Dayar Ganj, New Delhi-2. Price: Rs. 50.

This is another new publication upon Rajaji to mark his birth centenary. It contains the incidents in Rajaji’s political life which inevitably was connected intimately with Gandhiji. The writers of the volume have spared no pains in selecting the main incidents which had a bearing upon shaping Rajaji in the Gandhian philosophy. There are parallel streams of activities in the lives of both the leaders to justify the similarity influencing the high moral purpose of both when brought among the tasks of public life. The sources, of course, for the materials gathered are almost some of the same previous publications on them. Some of the critical stages during the national struggle for freedom in which Rajaji’s part had proved the extraordinary stamina of his intellectual powers and clear assessment of men and affairs, are shown here against the ground of the intensifying drama of communal conflict and unpredictable fortunes that confronted the nation in its long story of liberation.

The last few chapters describing the personal qualities of both the leaders easily prove of absorbing interest, though even there anecdotes mentioned of Rajaji’s wit and humour have been extracted from earlier books like Bimalesh Chatterjee’s Thousand Days with Rajaji. The brief but very perceptive introduction of Prof. K. Swaminathan is more his own contribution to the thought upon Rajaji than any real introduction to the present volume.

–“SAHRIDAYA”

Beginnings: By Penelope Farmer. Copies can be had from B. I. Publications, Dr D. N. Road, Bombay-23. Price: Rs. 68-85.

This is a unique anthology which brings in one volume several myths which have been prevalent in the ancient world.

The author demonstrates not only the astonishing variety, the intriguing illogicality, and the ancient wisdom of myth, but also the inexplicable and extraordinary way in which the mythical thinking, recurs again and again in every corner of the world. The book contains more than eighty stories and poems taken from South Africa, Borneo, India, Ireland, Russia, etc.

The author clubs together the fundamental myths under seven headings ‘Earth’, ‘Man’, “Flood’, ‘Fire’, “Death’, ‘Food Plants’ and ‘The End of the World’. Each of these sections is preceded by an illustration done by the well-known American artist Antonio Frasconi. Each section also contains a very useful preface by the author herself, where she discusses the scope and significance of her findings.

Taken as a whole, the series of myths, presented here points clearly and distinctly to the basic idea, that there is some kind of unity behind creation, which seems for ever disunited, but which always unites again. Modern physics postulates that matter and space alike are composed of the same varieties of basic particles in ever-shifting combinations, and ancient myths seem to anticipate this finding. The recreation involved in the very destruction seems to be a common factor of universal life. This is reflected in an oblique manner, in the message of the myths, that in order to create something, something has necessarily to be destroyed first.

Of particular interest is the chapter of compilations of ‘Death’. The various stories taken from China, Africa, Japan, Babylonia, Navaho, India, Nigeria, etc., all display a startlingly common broad outlook, which is as unique as it is unknown. Similarly the last compilation ‘End of the World’ from such diverse places as Maya, Iceland, Aztec, Russia from the Atlai Tantars, India, Persia, West Africa and saying for the New Testament, all again show the same broad pattern of thinking in the beginning of human evolution.

Woven from these ancient myths is to be seen, the same broad story of ancient man’s wonder at the beauty, the complexity, and the variety in creation, and his attempts through various philosophies of logical understanding and intuition, to explain and to synthesize them. The myth makers arrived at the truth, that to live one has to die, and to die one has to live. “In my beginning is my end…In my end is my beginning...” said T. S. Eliot. But the myth makers arrived there long before he did.
–DR. N. RAMESAN

Golden Harvest: By K. Chandrasekharan. Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 15.

The present collection includes the nine lectures delivered by the author as the Tagore Professor of Humanities at the University of Madras during 1968-’69, and constitute the second series of his lectures delivered in that capacity, the first having been published already under the title, “Culture and Creativity.”

Mr. K. Chandrasekharan has himself a poet’s sensitivity, and responds inwardly to the most delicate intimations. He is, therefore, eminently fitted by natural endowment to experience, appreciate and echo the subtle nuances of feeling and affective vicissitudes implicit in a poet’s utterances. This is amply borne out by the profusion of poetical extracts that fill the pages of the book as one advances from chapter to chapter. The citations are not from Tagore alone. Indeed, in some of the chapters the central luminaries are Kalidasa, Valmiki, Vyasa and Kamban, while Tagore comes in for purposes of a summing up and by way of a brief mention, which contains more through suggestion than explicit expression. The chapter on “Thought and Imagery” would serve specially to show how close Tagore is to Kalidasa, for instance. Tagore, as Mr Chandrasekharan demonstrates, is next only to Kalidasa in his similes.

The chapter on “Fact and Fiction” illustrates by means of copious references not only to Tagore but to Valmiki’s Balakanda of “Ramayana,” Henry Warren’s “Wise Reading,” Virginia Woolf’s “Granite and Rainbow” and to other English literary critics like Somerset Maugham and Kenneth Payson Kempton, that the garb of facts are too tight a dress for Truth while “in fiction she moves with ease.” The author has in this chapter succeeded high- lighting Tagore’s excellence as a story-teller.

“Humour is life-belt” is eminently readable and keeps the reader’s attention buoyed up. “The Art of Biography” offers substantial fare. “Failure of Freedom” could have drawn more fully from “the Religion of Man”, and “Materialism and Spirituality” from “Creative Unity.” Mr Chandrasekharan’s scholarship is well and truly reflected alongside of his poetic perception in the pages of the present publication.
–PROF. K. SESHADRI

Vedanta and Bengal Renaissance: By Niranjan Dhar. Minerva Associates, 7-B Lake Place, Calcutta-29. Price: Rs. 40.

A novel approach and a still more novel conclusion. In the elaborately argued view of the author, Vedanta has always represented an anti-rational movement in India. The progressive mind of the nation, so ably represented by the Charvakas of old, the Buddhist philosophers later, and the Navya Nyaya movement of more recent times, has been checkmated and effectively put behind by the feudal and reactionary religious movements like Sri Ramarishna-Vivekananda. It is certainly interesting to know the mind of the author and elements like him who see in Ramakrishna nothing more than a befuddled self-repressed psychotic, Vivekananda little else than a split personality consorting with princes and nobles, Nivedita an Irish firebrand and frustrated lover to whom spirituality was a temporary aberration which did not last long. His heroes are Dr Mahendralal Sircar who scoffed at mysticism, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar who led a crusade against the Brahmos–again a reactionary revivalist group.

The book would be amusing but for the mischievous intent.
–M. P. P.

The Autobiography of a Free Thinker: By S. Subramanya Iyer, Devi adana, 2nd cross, Left NMC, Old Town, Bhadravati (Karnataka). Price: Rs. 5.

“I shall be a lifelong student of Nature and a correspondent to humanity”, thus vowed a young man in his teens and it has taken four decades for him to blossom into a free thinker with cosmic horizons on his mind. The present volume is in a sense his testament to humanity, coming as it does after a series of books of universal themes in which he has identified himself with whole Nature at different levels.

He traces, in these pages, how his mind has developed, what books have influenced him most, which personalities have played a part in his evolution, and what he thinks of the present day problems and life-situations. “A comprehensive vision and an integrated outlook on life” is his goal and who shall say one has reached it? It is a constantly developing movement.

The book is interesting and educative.
–M. P. P.

Tapovan Katha: By Kalipada Guha Roy. Pongi Publications, Sri Vaishnavi campus, Madras-52.

It is stated in the introduction to this book that the same Divine Flame that took the form of Rishi Yajnavalkya in ancient times, has been periodically embodying itself in each yuga, and in the present Kali age it has taken the form of Dada Kalipada Guha Roy. Many were the conversations that devotees had with him and the volume under review contains a selection from these. We are taken again and again in these pages to what Dada called the Maharshi’s Tapovan where elevating things take place. The subjects covered pertain largely to Sadhana of the soul which provides for the beautification of worldly life and communion with Nature as part of the discipline.
–M. P. P.

Dr Pattabhi Sitaramayya: By Dr A. Prasanna Kumar. Published by the Andhra University Press, Visakhapatnam-3. Price: Rs. 40.

This regular study of the incessant work done by Dr Pattabhi Sitaramayya for nearly sixty years in the political field of this country is a very useful chronicling of the times also. Since the Madras Congress of 1908, his active part in the deliberations of the Congress is carefully scrutinised and the assessment of due credit paid to the veteran patriot. From early, Dr Pattabhi’s slant towards Linguistic Provinces and the States’ Peoples Movement are given their proper evaluation. His loyalty to Gandhiji from the time of his emergence into the freedom fight, had been exemplary and the author has shown the many instances in which Gandhiji had supported him in his programme of Congress work. Dr. Pattabhi had been continuously a member of the A.I.C.C. and his sense of responsibility in moving resolutions never vacillated at the stoutest opposition. His utter independence was such that on occasions, even when offered, he was for rejecting office, because of his consistency in being a “no-changer” since the famous Congress of Gaya at which the emergence of the Swaraj party happened at the instance of C. R. Das and his supporters. Even when Rajaji, who changed his outlook and accepted office as Premier of the Madras administration in 1937, Dr Pattabhi would not be persuaded to take a place in the Cabinet of Rajaji when he was chosen.

In Khadi work as well as in Harijan uplift programme his eminent services were much appreciated by Gandhiji. Gandhism as distinct from Socialism of Nehru actuated him from the beginning and he never yielded his views to persuasion from the other side.

His “History of the Congress” in two volumes was a laborious undertaking which added much credit to his solid contributions : Congress. Strongly opposed to Communism, he would not also be guided by the Leftists in the Congress led by Subhas Chandra Bose.

His memorable role in bringing about to successful completion of the States’ Peoples Conferences paved the way for the later work of consolidation by Vallabhbhai Patel of the Native States into the Indian Union.

Enough spade-work in collecting materials has preceded this writing which is quite readable. Though Dr Pattabhi’s autobiography itself could have supplied some early details, there is hardly any doubt that the attempt here to give an almost complete picture of Dr Pattabhi Sitaramayya’s political life is crowned with the success it deserves.

With the pages of copious references, bibliography and index, this volume will be of very instructive help to students striving to know of the hard times before the independence that we got.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Socialist Thought of Jawaharlal Nehru: By Benudhar Pradhan. Academic Press, Gurgaon-1, Haryana. Price: Rs. 44.

Jawaharlal Nehru and his Economic Policy: By Mrigen Bose. Published by Smt. Anita Bose, 152 Dum Dum Park, Calcutta-55. Price: Rs. 15.

The former Prime Minister of India, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, has come in for a great deal of adverse comment during recent times, especially after the defeat of Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s government at the Centre. It is, however, a matter for great disappointment and dissatisfaction that the very leaders who fought alongside of him and who at one time regarded him as the hero of the nation should have gone about decrying all that Nehru stood for. They have even tried to devalue the importance of this great man in the national context. It is, therefore, refreshing to note that some books have come out recently to put across to the people the precious ideas of Mr. Nehru and what he stood for.

In the first book under review, Mr. Benudhar Pradhan gives a graphic description of the evolution of Mr. Nehru’s socialistic thought. Nehru was an aristocrat by birth in the sense that he commanded all the riches that one could hope for; his father had already made a name as a distinguished lawyer and the surroundings in which Mr. Nehru lived in his younger days were such that they would not promote exactly any kind of socialism of which he was to become a great champion later. Nehru developed the concept of socialism as he understood in his book entitled “Glimpses of World History.” It was his firm view that the shortcomings of capitalism and democracy would make socialism inevitable. Imperialism and capitalism cannot be improved and “the only real improvement is to do away with them altogether.” His association with Gandhiji no doubt mellowed him a great deal. Gandhiji himself said that while he and Nehru differed a great deal in their political convictions, he was pretty sure that Nehru had deep down him a spirit of compromise and conciliation that had endeared him to the young and the old alike. It was at the Lahore Congress that Mr. Nehru expounded his intellectual conviction in favour of socialism. Gandhiji was, of course, not unduly perturbed at the socialistic ideas of Nehru and the radical pronouncements that he was making on and often though he was a little worried that Nehru was moving a little too fast. But he was confident although Nehru held strong views on socialism, he was not a communist or a revolutionary. Even so, it was largely due to Nehru’s insistence and perseverance that the Congress ultimately veered round to the view that social and economic issues should be given adequate consideration. As the author rightly said, Mr. Nehru firmly believed in interpreting socialism in the language of India.

For those who have lived when Nehru was in power, it is more than clear that it was the socialist in him that made him talk about the importance of agriculture. He said on one occasion that as agriculture is the principal occupation of the great majority of the people, it must be the first concern of the State. Subsequently, during his years of power, Mr. Nehru perpetually harped on the agricultural sector of the economy in spite of the industrial bias and gave it prime of place in the national economy. His concept of socialism with its emphasis on purity of means and non-violent technique, to use the words of the author, ultimately assumed the form of socialistic pattern of society as defined at the famous Avadi session of the Congress. It was to him that the nation owes the public sector for he felt that the “important thing is that the strategic points must be controlled by the State.” Nehru developed his own brand of socialism and his concept of socialism was not one as of objective necessity of a capitalist system, a system emerging out of the conflict between means of production and production relations. The concept of violence and the use of force that are inevitable for socialist transformation is for Nehru at a discount in India. The author’s elaboration of Nehru’s views and philosophy is extremely readable.

The second book deals as the title denotes with Nehru’s economic policy. Nehru, says the author, was eager to move India into an era of progress and he was aware of the fact that progress necessitated an overall social and economic revolution. There was more than economics involved in it though he preferred to work with economic policy rather than social policy. After dealing with the thought process of Nehru, the author comes to the conclusion that Nehru was a pragmatic politician who compromised principles for policies. He adopted a policy of moderation and the method of persuasion seeking a smooth transition. Of course, Nehru did not succeed in transforming the country from a land of poverty to one of plenty. This, the author says, is because Nehru was full of contradictions. He was not able to achieve all that he wanted because he saw severe limitations when it came to a question of implementation. But to say that it was all because of indecision is only to underestimate the great work he has accomplished in such a short time. One should take note of the vast size of the country, the different cultures and peoples that comprise it and the tremendous pulls and pressures exerted on every aspect of life by men–big and small. It is no mean achievement that Nehru strode like a colossus till the end. This book throws light on Nehru’s ideas and ideals but as a work, it is only second rate–there is no imprint of deep scholarship on the part of the author.
–M. PATTABHIRAM

English Translation of Selected Palms of Kazi Nazrul Islam: By Sri Buudha Chakravarthy. Sahitya Akademi. New Delhi-1. Price: Rs. 5-00.

Kazi Nazrul Islam’s poetry overwhelms the reader like a cyclone with thunder and lightning. Revolt against all forms of slavery is the recurring theme of his poetry. Freedom from all imitations is the destination of his daring journey. Breaking all barriers he identifies himself with all, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, race and nationality, but of this universality of his world-view emerges his philosophy of humanism which glorifies man almost with religious fervour. It is true that Nazrul is not religious in his outlook. But his crusading zeal is typically religious in its intensity. The emphasis in his poetry always falls on the cataclysmic end of the existing values. He does not attempt to nationalize his intuitive perception of the oneness of all men. He feels it and therefore proclaims it, as it were, from the peaks of hills. He is like Whitman in his reckless readiness to identify himself with all.

However, the rhythm of these poems, at least in translation, is too martial and unvarying. Repetition of phrases and images makes them somewhat monotonous. However, Nazrul’s courage, candour, clarity, truth and humanity are qualities that continue to inspire the freedom-fighters of all ages to come. The translation has brought out the revolutionary spirit and the martial tone of Nazrul.
–DR C. N. SASTRY

Aspects of Indian Literature: The Changing Pattern: Edited by Suresh Kohli. Vikas Publishing House, New Delhi. Price Rs 30.

This book is thematically divided into five chapters: (1) Literature and divisive tendencies, (2) Obscenity and sex, (3) Literature and protest, (4) Literature and the law, (5) Social realism and change, and presents an elaborate survey of changing patterns in Indian literature. Present day writings are social-oriented. Slum life, proletarian aspirations, corruption, nepotism and other social evils are some of the themes covered. These are specific and immediate problems with limited objectives and a materialistic outlook and want in breadth of vision and opulence of emotions. Time-tested convictions and beliefs are jettisoned as superstitions and myths and the impact of monstrous industrialism and a soulless scientific education proves disastrous to the moral stamina of youth. This genre of literature dubbed as social realism can be bracketed with professional pidgin and subject-oriented stuff which till yesterday was a controversial topic. Realism is not idealism. On any count it is imperfect. All imperfect social organizations are breeding grounds of revolutions which in no way contribute to the cultural growth of the people. Literature is hailed as an adequate antidote to fissiparous forces in the first chapter of the book while counting human attitude too as primitive factors. This is so far true if it is not tainted by modernity. In chapter two it is contended that sex is not tabooed in Indian literature and that is a recent concept imported by the British and that there is nothing obscene when it is found in literature. No doubt sex has a place. But ugly imagery is off bounds. Obscenity is as ancient as the fig-leaf with which awakened innocence covered its nakedness (Bible). Chapters four and five are dedicated to subjects susceptible of social protest: censorship or proscription at the hands of inexorable law. All of them are Existentialist issues one has to face and live with so long as he lives and moves on this perishable earth. The literary trends and directions towards which Indian literature is moving, do not appear to be so much edificatory and do not nourish higher impulses that motivate man to nobler achievements. They are derogatory and demoralising and add no inches to the stature of a great literature of any clime whether it be Indian or foreign. Timelessness and universality are the two traits of an outstanding work of art. A lack of these essentials turns literature into jejune, anarchic and inefficacious creation useless to life.
–K. S. RAO

Advaita Vedanta: By R. Bala Subrahmanian. Centre for Advanced Study in Philosophy, University of Madras, Madras-5. Price: Rs.12.

This is an authentic and exhaustive exposition of Mandanamisra’s Advaitic Philosophy as expounded in his work “Brahma Siddhi.” The six chapters herein deal with the means of knowing Reality or Pramanas, Khyativadas or the Theories of Error, Nature of Reality, Refutation of the Theory of Difference, Avidya and the way and goal, viz., Moksha. The dialectics involved herein are all presented in as lucid a way as possible. Arguments advanced by others like Naiyayikas, Mimamsakas, Vijnanavadins, Dvaitins, Visishtadvaitins and Bauddhas are at first presented and then are refuted as it was done by Mandana. Study of the theories of error, nature of Moksha, relation between Karma and Jnana and nature of Reality and Avidya will be of absorbing interest even to a lay man as there is not much of intricate metaphysical jargon therein. As Dr T. M. P. Mahadevan put it in his preface, this is a good manual of Advaita and should be owned by every student of philosophy. We await similar publications on Ishta Siddhi, Naishkarmya Siddhi, Advaya Siddhi and finally Advaita Siddhi also from this centre.
–B. K. RAO

History of Maithili Literature: By Dr Jayakanta Mishra. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi-l. Price: Rs. 15.

The book under review is one among many, planned by the Sahitya Akademi under its scheme of publishing, in English, histories of literature in the languages recognised by the Akademi and getting them translated into other languages, so that Indians all over the country will realise that “Indian literature is one, though written in many languages.”

Maithili is one of the languages recognised by the Sahitya Akademi in recent years. It is the native language of the inhabitants of a large tract of densely populated land in Bihar and Nepal. Dr Jayakanta Mishra, a scholar of repute in the Maithili language and literature, had earlier written volumes on the history of Maithili literature. His present work, based on his previous volumes, “omits and abridges many details which are valuable for specialists only.” It deals in a broad way with ancient, medieval and modern Maithili literature, prefacing it with an introduction to the origin and nature of the language and its script. The book is informative and fairly exhaustive in its sweep and content. It richly serves the purpose for which it is meant.

It is interesting to note the following observations of the author: “The film and the modern novel are great enemies of the drama. Fortunately, there are no films as yet in Maithili” (P. 279) and “It must never be forgotten that poetry is, of all forms of literature, the most conservative and therefore the old forms continue to elicit response” (p. 307). It is apparent that modern Maithili literature has yet to grow and is sure to grow as it cannot remain immune from the influences which modern literature in other Indian languages are subject to.
–Dr R. S. MUGALI

The Date of Kurukshetra War: By A. V. Chanda. Ratna Prakasan, Calcutta. Price: Rs. 50.

The controversy regarding the date of Kurukshetra war is a perennial one. Number of historians have already written on this problem. On the one hand there is an extreme view that the war was never fought. It is only legendary. In the text-books on Indian History, the date of the war is assigned to 1000 B. C. This view is seriously questioned by scholars. Sri A. V. Chanda in the present work refutes the prevailing view and tries his best to prove that the Kurukshetra war occurred in 3137 B. C.

In the first chapter, the ground to the Rigvedic war is traced. It is stated that the Pandava princes were reportedly born and reared in the Himalayan region. Pandu was the younger brother of Dhritarashtra, the ruling chief of the Kurus of Hastinapur. Pandu had to live in the forest region because of a curse and when he died, the Pandava children were brought to Hastinapur. The rivalry between the sons of Dhritarashtra and Pandu ultimately led to war. In the course of this chapter, the social, religious and economic ground is drawn.

In the second chapter, the date of the Vedic Era is discussed. The author banks on the evidence of astronomy. Some of the passages of the Vedic period show that Sun was in conjunction with the lunar mansion Phalguni at summer solistic. Hence the epoch took place at about 4000 B. C. In the next chapter the author examines the various views regarding the date of Mahabharata war. After rejecting the prevailing views, the author points that Krishna who plays a prominent role in the Kurukshetra war is referred in Vedic literature. In the next chapter the author points out that the antiquity of the Vedas and the date of the Kurukshetra war is placed in confusion because of wrong theories. One such theory is that Aryan migration took place in 1500 B. C. Astronomical data points out a different story. It points out that the war took place in 3137 B. C. In the next chapter the author quotes several traditional theories which corroborate this date.

The date of Kurukshetra war is the result of painstaking and labourious research. In spite of what the author has written, the prevailing opinion that the war took place in 1000 B.C. cannot be pushed aside and it still holds the field.

The concluding portion contains detailed astronomical calculations and also several press-cuttings from statesmen, which refer to the date of the war. In the opinion of the reviewer this is a serious work and deserves attention of all scholars.
–Dr K. SUNDARAM

Fundamental Rights and the 42nd Constitutional Amendment: By Sunder Raman. Minerva Associates Pvt. Ltd., 7-B, Lake Place, Calcutta. Price: Rs. 25.

The 42nd Amendment Act which symbolises the highly undemocratic behaviour of the Congress Government during the Emergency has been under fire and the 45th Amendment Bill is under preparation by the Janata Government to amend the abhorrent portions of the 42nd Amendment Act. The discussion of the book under review mainly centres around the controversy over the definition and scope of Articles 13 and 368 in our Constitution in regard to Parliament’s power to amend the Fundamental Rights. The author has succinctly analysed how the judiciary is devalued, fundamental rights are curtailed and how the Constitution has become subordinate to Parliament.

The author has rightly pointed out that the duties mentioned in the 42nd Amendment should have been spelled out in more concrete form and adds that “the duties without penal provisions would not be effective.” This conclusion is of doubtful value, for there are various types of laws under which people can be punished for default of duty. In the final chapter, after cataloguing the various conclusions that follow the 42nd Amendment, the author concludes that as the Janata Party Government does not have the required majority to amend the worst features of the 42nd Amendment Act, “it is now the duty of the judiciary to invalidate the damage done by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution carried out by the previous Government.” The author has not substantiated how the judiciary can arrogate to itself a power vested in the Parliament. Moreover, the passing of the 43rd Amendment Act by the Janata Government belies the fear expressed by the author in regard to securing the required majority.

A subject like the Fundamental Rights Vs the 42nd Amendment has a common area for Political Science and jurisprudence. So there is danger of mixing up of socio-political approach with legal approach. The author hopes that “the study would be useful to students of Constitutional Law.” In analysing the decisions of the Supreme Court in the Golaknath and Kesavananda Bharati cases and the events leading to the 42nd Amendment, discussion of the concept of “committed judiciary” would have made the work spicy.

The author has judiciously confined to sections in the 42nd Amendment Act relating to Fundamental Rights only and the book is refreshingly free from irrelevancies. The discussion on the relevant aspects of the 42nd Amendment Act is simple, clear and analytical.

–V. LINGAMURTHY

TAMIL

Swami: By R. Ganapathy. Poompuhar Publications. 15, Mannarswamy Koil Street, Royapuram, Madras-18. Price: Rs. 49.

This bulky volume, in lucid Tamil, is a mine of well sifted information of the life, work and teachings of Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi, who has become the centre of so much writing and controversy. The author, who is a seasoned writer having to his credit a number of valuable books, says that he has given, from the vast mass of material collected by him, a select, unvarnished account, with “intellectual honesty” and objectivity. He gives many good reasons for styling the book “Swami” more so, as Baba refers to himself, in the third person, as such. The book is said to be specially meant for those who genuinely feel and regard Sri Satya Sai Baba as a Purna Avatara of God and a re-appearance of the Shiridhi Baba, so that such devotees and followers may have a true and authentic account and confirm themselves further in their belief and devotion. The author feels that Sri Satya Sai Baba is a Mahapurusha, a super-Avatar, beyond all analysis and tests by ordinary mortals, be they scientists, religious leaders or intellectuals. He is a fathomless ocean and the author is happy that he is able to offer by way of Purna Kumbha, as it were, a true account of His Prayaga, Prabhava, Prathapa and Prakasa, all ultimately climaxing into His Premaand Prasanthi. The book deals squarely with the “Miracles” and “Lillis”, giving answers to several of the uninformed statements and prejudiced criticisms.

Notwithstanding its 1008 pages (1000 by way of Sahasrarchanaand 8 by way of Ashtaguna pushpanjali)the author says they are but a sample pick from the ocean the Swami is, all for Lokahita, for our good, peace and upliftment. No one can fully dive deep or fathom the hidden root or moolaor of the Kalpaka-vrikshathe Swami is, or understand in whole even his Karuna Lila–the visible flowers of that vriksha.

The Jeevadharaof the whole is Satya and there is no need for anyone to know or learn about Him second-hand or through miracles (which are but visiting cards whose purpose is exhausted with the introduction). He is there, for anyone, sincere and earnest, to see and know for himself, first-hand Prathyksha–by his own inner Anubhava, in a self-certifying manner.

The book is full of quotations and references to the Vedas, Agamas, the Gita, the Alwars, Bharatiyar, the Bible, etc., and points out to the great mission of Sri Satya Sai Baba, to re-establish in full measure, belief in Vaidikamarga, Asthikya and  the Dharmic way of life and liviing and to kindle, in hearts of men universal love and harmony–that God and Love are one and the same–which Baba says is the divine purpose of hisbirth and presence.

A very readable, well-written and well-produced book with 113 illustrations.

–T. V. VISWANATHA AIYAR

TELUGU

Sri Vasavadatta Vatsarajamu: By S. Ramakrishna Sastry, Pratapagiri Street, Railpet, Guntur-l. Price: Rs. 3.

Vatsaraja’s romances and Yaugandharayana’s schemes and designs are the subject matter of this Kavya of nine cantos. Delineation of love in union and love in separation in the 4th and 7th cantos respectively is pleasing. Descriptions of the movements of the elephant and the havoc caused by the intoxicated elephant are natural. Fancy and imagery, flawless characterisation, figures of speech, Upama and Ardhantaranyasas, noble sentiments expressed regarding conjugal relationship, etc., and some sayings beautify the poem. Three minor poems dealing with some pathetic incidents in the lives of Khadga Tikkana, Balachandra and Vedic Harischandra at the end of this work have their own beauty. Leaving aside some technical points the work provides a good reading.
–B. K. R.

Kalyana Kalpavalli: Edited by “Karunasri” Jandhyala Papayya Sastri. Kalyana Bharati, Ravindranagar, Guntur. Price: Rs. 15.

The first anthology of Telugu poetry was brought out by Sri Muddukrishna in the early ’Thirties. It was confined to the modern poets only. In 1950 the Sahitya Akademi published another which was edited by Sri Katuri Venkateswara Rao. That was a more representative selection–from old, medieval and modern periods. The present volume contains selections from poets belonging from 11th to the 18th centuries – from Nannaya to Chitrakavi Singaracharya.

The editor who has earned a distinct place among the modern Telugu poets has taken pains in selecting the cream of the best poets. Not only that, he has included in the book select verses for daily prayers and fine dramatic incidents from famous Prabandhas. An excellent compilation which introduces the best poets to the lay man and induces him for further study of the Kavyas.
–BHAVARAJU

Srimad Ramayana Vaibhavamu: By Dr Malladi Gopala Krishna. Sarma. Arsha Bharati Publishers, Anantavaram, Guntur Dt. Price: Rs. 20.

True to its name this work brings out the glory of Valmiki’s Ramayana in thirty-three critical essays on different topics. Valmiki wrote this work in order to preach and propagate Vedic Dharma, viz., performance of Vedic rituals like Yajnas, and other duties enjoined by the Veda to a householder in particular and to everyman in general. Truth, celibacy, obedience to parents, discharge of one’s duty–all these come under Dharma that is universal. In common with all other writers on the Ramayana, he also discusses the propriety or otherwise of the character of Ahalya and of Rama’s killing Vali incognito. The main contribution of the author to the Ramayana literature is found in his essays 2, 3, 10, 31, 32 and 33. Therein Nature, and importance of Yajnas in general, Asvamedha and Putrakameshti in particular, are dealt with, and explained with relevant quotations from Vedas also. Significance of Hindu marriages is well explained. Importance given to hospitality and Karma Marga in the Ramayana is brought home to the readers. In the remaining chapters, major and minor characters in the Ramayana are described in detail. A very useful work brimming over with valuable information.
–B. K. SASTRY

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