Reviews

The Epic Beautiful: By K. R. Srinivasa Aiyengar. Sahitya Akademi, 21 Eldams Road, Madras-18. Price: Rs. 60.

Dr. K. R. Srinivasa Aiyengar has many feathers to his cap. His books “Sri Aurobindo” and “Mother” have won great reputation in the literary world. Apart from his writings, his knowledge of both past and present literatures is sufficient enough to guarantee whatever he writes will bear authenticity and thoroughness of study.

His present task is once again of his own growing desire to translate the Sundara Kanda of the Valmiki Ramayana in a self-adopted quatrains of unrhyming equivalents of the sloka quatrains in Sanskrit. It has enabled him to fulfil his cherished dream of rendering the beautiful Kanda into English. In his long introduc­tion, he mentions how, for want of what to do; he fell under the spell of the epic, and started the venture ofsharing his irre­pressible aesthetic joys with others who may be ignorant of the wealth lying within the choicest of poetic outpourings that ever were enjoyed by readers of literature.

Sanskrit language has its own unimpairable sound values of words and phrases which can haunt the ears of students for long. The beauties of imagery couched in unforgettable diction can allure any reader to their unfailing fascination. The more one enjoys the Sanskrit verses, the greater the depression derived in vainly trying to turn them into another language. Still, many have tried to give the epic in English both in prose and verse. Yet one more attempt may not be vain of its effect on readers, especially when it is done with enough care and conscious avoiding of redundancy of words by a modern Indian writer in English.

The Prologue from the Bala Kanda and the Epilogue from the Yuddha Kanda with the crowning of Sri Rama add to the value of this undertaking, as it is a time-honoured practice to do parayanaafter reciting the early verses and concluding the same with the Pattabhishekam.

The Sahitya Akademi has done a good service in publishing the Epic Beautiful, which, according to the author, is by itself a complete unit worthy of Rasikas’ attention of no ordinary measure.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Whom Enemies Sheltered: By Maj. R. G. Salvi. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 45.

This is a story told in the first person by one Lt. R. G. Salvi of his adventures during the last world war. Having been born of a Maharashtra family and possessing in his blood martial spirit, Salvi enlisted himself in the army. Soon the battalion in which he served had to go to the front in the Middle East where the Axis powers were concentrating. In 1942, Tobruk was stormed and captured with the result the soldiers of the Allied Nations became prisoners. Salvi too was taken captive by the Germans.

Between 1942 and late 1944, Salvi was a prisoner but the period disclosed how much of courage and desire for exploits made him seek escape from his imprisonment. Then follow some gripping incidents of his stay in an Italian village, Villa San Sebastiano, where he secured the friendship of some of the villagers, whose humanity and sense of brotherhood saved him from falling a victim either to starvation or to re-arrest as a prisoner and taken to Axis dungeons.

Within 15 pages the entire narration is given. The story was originally written in Marathi. The English version came later.

–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Correspondence with Sri Aurobindo: (Volumes I & II): Nirodbaran. SABDA, Pondicherry-605002. Price: Rs. 150.

Sri Aurobindo’s direct disciples had such rare privilege or living with the Master as earnest students, laughter-loving friends and beloved children. Like children, they never spared the Master. Even if he was not available for direct contact, the disciples could and did write regularly to him and received prompt and detailed replies. Never once did Sri Aurobindo feel irritated that he had to spend several hours a day over such correspondence. On the contrary, he took extreme care to answer each and every point raised by the questioners on a wide variety of topics. As he was their spiritual Guru, the subject was often the practical aspects of Yoga Sadhana. The letters on Yoga run into several volumes.

However, human experience was the limit when it came to questions and answers. With his divine patience Sri Aurobindo answered even those questions that appeared rather silly (“S has got bails. What about giving him vaccine injections?”) but which turned out to be significant when viewed from the answer given by Sri Aurobindo. Reading Nirodbaran’s correspondence with Sri Aurobindo means entering a world of joy, knowledge, fulfilment. And to realise that these two volumes pertain only to a mere five years (1933-’38). A Sishya who is free from fear and a Guru who is ready to teach: Nirodbaran and Sri Aurobindo appear as epic eloborations of Nachiketas and Dharma and we are benefitted by the aparaand paraknowledge gathered within the covers of this lovely edition which has an exhaustive and helpful index as well as inspiring caver illustrations of Sri Aurobindo’s study (where the letters were written) by Chinmayi.

The correspondence, of course, defies a reviewer’s pen. Where shall we begin? The index is an affair of 33 packed pages of print and speaks of an amazing variety stretching from Abyssinia to Yudhishtir. And whatever the subject, the Lord of the English language speaks from the Charioteer’s Seat. Thus Sri Aurobindo on the actions of the Avatars that lead to seeming destruction:

“One can also act with the Rudrabhava, but without anger, though people may mistake it for anger. That is a higher stage. There is no disturbance even in the outer being, only a mass of very calm, but intense divine force in action.”

There are long answers to questions and subjects like surrealism and the overmental planes of consciousness. But never, never a dull moment! Sri Aurabindo’s sympathetic understanding far a sincere student willing to learn comes through every page. And all the time such sparkling wit too. Nirodbaran asks for blessings to relieve him of depression. Prompt comes the prescription:

“Vin. Ashirv.                 m.VII
Reeept. Chlor               gr. XXV
Aqua jollity                   ad. lib
Tinc. Faith                    m. XV
Syr. Opt.                      Zss.
12 doses every hour.”

Nirodbaran’s anxious query: “What is the second item in your prescription, Sir? Too Latinic for my poor knowledge”
The Master’s reply: “Chlorate of Receptivity.”

After paying homage to Sri Aurobindo, “The master Shakespeare of spiritual sublimity and jollity”, Nirodbaran says: “Turn a page and you find a gem.” It is heven so and this rich treasure-chest of Aurobindoniana is a must for the library of every cultured ousehold in the world.
–DR. PREMA NANDAKUMAR

Amritanubhavaof Sri Jnanadeva. Samata Books, Kamaraj Building, 573, Mount Road, Madras-6. Price: Rs. 30.

Jnanadeva is a celebrated saint of Maharashtra who lived some 700 years ago and authored a number of authentic expositions of spiritual knowledge and experience. His commentary ort the Gita is regarded as an unsurpassed guide to the heart of the scripture. The present work expounds his own realisation of the supreme Bliss, the way thereto and the conditions for prac­tising this discipline. This teaching is based on the Siddhat Shivadvaita and the Vedanta of the Upanishads. The language is archaic Marathi and it is a blessing to have Sri R. K. Bhagwat’s translation (with notes) of the text. In the course of his brilliant introduction he gives a succinct analysis of the philosophy under­lying the poem. Jnanadeva explains how he attained his state of realisation of the immortality: “Self-surrender at the feet of the master ‘Nivrittinatha’ (not any individual as such but the personified Supreme) by dissolving even the subtlest state of ego and getting rid of ignorance by Shambhavi Mudra or by practising the natural state (amanaska sthti).”(P. xxi)

The work consists of ten chapters which posit the goal and lay down the process to reach it. In the course of the treatment the views of other schools are taken note of and rebutted where called for and underlined where necessary.

The second work Changadeva Prasashti, appended to the main is the famous reply of Jnanadeva in 65 verses to a blank letter sent to him by another saint, Changadeva–who had nevertheless a bloated ego of his learning – and deals with instructions to him on how to dispel his ignorance and realise the true state of Bliss.

The book has a happy aroma of the pragmatic spirituality of the old Maharashtra mind and provides instructive reading.
–M. P. PANDIT

100 Great Lives: Edited by John Canning. Rupa & Co., 3831, Pataudi House Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110 002. By arrangement with Souvenir Press Ltd., London. Price: Rs. 60.

“100 Great Lives” which is under review, is no new book. It is a proven contribution to the literature of people, an old wine in new bottle. There are not 100 great lives as the title claims, but there are 101 lives – studies of the lives of scientists and inventors, writers and poets, leaders and reformers, artists and musicians, great women, discoverers and explorers and soldiers and statesmen, all presented in easy-to-read-and-remember style. The book has been extensively revised and updated no doubt. It would have been very much updated, if the lives of great sportsmen and of spacemen were also included.

There are 65 illustrations of men and events of invaluable importance from an international point of view. It is interesting to note that four great Indians like the Buddha, Asoka, Tagore and Gandhi find their place of pride in this prestigious volume.

There is a “List of Illustrations” covering all the sixty-five names. At the end of the book there is an exhaustive index of the names of the 100 great lives with important events of their lives so that it is of very great help in quick reference. John Canning, the famous editor writes a simple, readable style which attracts even an average reader of English.

Many books are for no time. Some books are for some time. But a few books are for all time. “100 Great Lives” is a book for all time.       
–V. V. TONPE

Foundations of Esoteric Philosophy: From the writings of H. P. Blavatsky. The Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, Madras-20. Price not mentioned.

Works by H. P. Blavatsky come under books for all time and her Secret Doctrine is a magnum opus, that brought to the attention of not only the Western but modern Eastern world also the teachings of the wisdom-tradition, the sacred sciences of the East. All the oldest tenets are gathered together in the Secret Doctrine and presented as one harmonious and unbroken whole. This brochure containing collection of statements made by her in her works is intended to serve as an Ariadne’s thread through the vast labyrinth of information. Basic teachings are presented in a readable form. “One Fundamental Law”, “Four Basic Ideas”, “Three Fundamental Propositions”, “Six numbered Items”, “Five Proven Facts” “Three New Propositions” and “Isis Unveiled” are the self-explaining titles of the chapters. Every chapter is prefixed by a short note. This book is a boon and also a stepping-stone not only to those that could not wade through the Secret Doctrine and other works, but also to those that desire to study Blavatsky’s works.        
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Fourth Eye–Excellence Through Creativity: By Pradip N. Khandwala. A. H. Wheeler & Co., P. Ltd., Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Allahabad. Price not mentioned.

Achievements of excellence through effective methods of Management has been a prime objective of the systematic study of Management, whether it is treated to be a science or an art or a combination of both, which is now the basis of development of studies and formulation of methods for effective management. Achieving excellence cannot obviously be limited to some pre­scribed methods or paths. In fact many are the disciplines that are being harnessed to formulate the distinctive Discipline of Management. Besides physical sciences, the social sciences, especially the Human Behavioural Science, have been contributing factors.

In this context, the possibilities of fostering creativity as a means of achieving excellence have notperhaps been investigated and studied adequately. This book under review is a very laudable effort and achievement to fill the gap.

The great contribution of this book is that it is not just a theoretical exposition but has a very “Practical” part incorpo­rated. At every stage how the practical steps can and should be taken are indicated.

The book is divided into nine chapters titled – Landscape of creativity, the creative process, the creative personality, the armoury of the creative, techniques of creative problem solving, the creative environment, creative encounters, the management of creativity and the design of a creative society.

Whether creative potential of an individual can at all be increased is answered confidently and assertively in the affirmative and brings out how some studies have already indicated is not proved how this can be achieved by “high motivation to be creative, appropriate training and an encouraging environment.” In the chapter on the creative personality, the motivation that would impel a person to be more creative have been analysed. Identifying, harnessing and encouraging are the paths for fostering creativity. Many studies have however brought out the fact appropriate motivation is essential; “motivation” itself is a “complex if not a tricky process” and creating an encouraging environment is much more complex and difficult. Training, of course, is the most practical and scientifically achievable aspect and presently all aspects of “Motivation” form part of any training course or programme. How effective most of the training programmes have been is required to be evaluated.

In the ninth chapter, the Design of a Creative Society is analysed–what such society is and how it may be brought about.

There can be some doubt only regarding the concept of “creativity” being organised as an effective tool at the organisational level and very much more so at the social level. We may also recognise that “society” is not one integrated entity but differs very widely from place to place in India. Micro-level studies may provide basis for designing differing methods and programmes, to suit “local conditions.”

Notwithstanding this limitation, however, the emphasis on “fostering creativity” extremely valuable and this book is an excellent addition to the literature on Management, bringing out how through fostering creativity and developing the individual, excellence in Management may be achieved.
–S. M. Y. SASTRY

The Sculptural Wealth at Mallam: By D. Subrahmanyam Reddy, Ramamurti Nagar, Kavali-529201. Price: Rs. 20.

Mallam, a village in the south of Nellore district, is known to historians and art historians for its late Chola temple of Subrahmanyesvara and for its proximity to Durgarayapatnam, conspicuous in the early British history of Madras as Armagon. The Chola temple has been little studied, but it amply deserves scholarly attention. This is what Mr. Reddy provides in this book.

The temple is rich in both architecture and sculpture. The earliest of its twenty-seven Tamil inscriptions belongs to the reign of a Pallava king, but the structure, as it stands today, is late Chola, probably belonging to the reign of Kulottunga III. Till that late date the Chola empire included what are now Andhra areas. But the Telugu Cholas were raising heed, and their influence too is felt in this temple.

In fact, this temple may be considered as representative of the religious art of a border tract, like Kolar, now in Karnataka. Since it must have existed in Pallava times, it is clear that it has been rebuilt and expanded from period to period. It assumed its present form mainly under Kulottunga III, or perhaps under Rajaraja III. There are some other temples of this period in Nellore district: the Karumanikka Perumal in Tummuru, the Manumasiddhesvara in Nellore town itself, the Siddhesvara in Krishnapatnam. The Mallam temple should be studied not only by itself but in its relation to contemporary or near-contemporary fanes.

It would have been useful if the author had studied the architecture of the temple as well as its sculpture. For, what he says suggests an impressive and handsome structure. It has a magnificent Kalyana Mandapa which is also a Ratha Mandapa. The author is not quite correct in stating that a Mandapa that is both “Kalyana” and “Ratha” occurs frequently in Chola temples of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. None of the examples be quotes is actually a “Kalyana Mandapa” also. In fact, the shrine in the Sarangapaniswami temple in Kumbakonam is in the form of a ratha. “Kalyana Mandapas”, strictly so called, are not located in the Mandapas built in an axial line from the main shrine, but in the Prakara, outside the main body of buildings. They were chiefly elected in Vijayanagar times.

Apart from the image in the main sanctum, there are two reliefs of Subramania, the presiding Deity in this temple, on Kalyana Mandapa pillars. There are also reliefs of Ganesa and of Mahasadasiva, and of Parvati and Durga. It is hardly surprising that the temple also contains reliefs of Lord Vishnu as Bhuvaraha­murti, Yoganarasimhamurti, Govardhanadhari and Venugopala.

The author says that scenes from the “Ramayana” and the “Mahabharata” are depicted on the Adhishthana of the Kalyana Mandapa. These too could have been discussed as part of the temple’s sculptural wealth.

The author deserves credit for drawing attention to a temple with fine art and history. There are many other temples in Andhra Pradesh which need to be studied in similar fashion, or, for that matter, in every part of the country. But the author has made a good beginning in his district.
–N. S. RAMASWAMI

Love and Animality: By Ramesh K. Srivastava. Writers’ Workshop, Calcutta-45. Price: Rs. 40.

Six short stories are gathered in this publication of the Writers’ Workshop series, Calcutta. Invariably all of them carry a point of acute understanding of human psychology in both domestic life as well as public relations. Fantastic as may appear, the first of the pieces here “The Living Doll”, it no doubt contains, a pinch of truth how even mentally retarded individuals should on no ground be victimised to the whims of people lest they become obstacles to normal behaviour. Every other story grips the reader’s attention. Still, “Hospitality” takes the first place the order of merit.
–K. C.

With Eyes from Eye Bank: By Sri Nikhilananda. Writers’ Workshop, Calcutta-45. Price: Rs. 40.

The short story is undergoing many changes during recent years. Writers have started more and more allowing themselves of details of situations and happenings at the cost of a central point for artistic understanding or the kernal of literary art. Everywhere in the world of writing, particularly in most of the present day short story writing in the West, this trend is much in evidence. Our own writers naturally try to follow the same way of conceiving a short story.

Here are eight stories from Oriya translated into English with differing sizes in length of each story, the shortest of five pages and the longest of fifty-two in print. But one common feature noticeable is the successful attempt to a very humorous vein throughout the narration. The realism is greater than even the literary aim in many of them, so much so the reader is hardly able to receive the main motif contained in many of them. Still, none can gainsay the stories do really attract absorbed attention with a suspense for the conclusion to answer expectations.

One word before closing. The Writers’ Workshop needs to show greater care in proof-reading, for with all the posh get-up the printing often leaves much to be desired.

–K. C.

SANSKRIT AND TELUGU

Shankara Grandha Ratnavali-6th,10th and 11th Volumes. Sadhana Grandha Mandali, Tenali. Prices: Rs. 12, 8, 12, respectively.

Sadhana Grandha Mandali has laid the Andhra public under a deep debt of gratitude by publishing these highly useful works.

The sixth volume contains “Viveka Chudamani”, a famous Prakarana work in Advaita Vedanta written by Shankara. Sri Vemuri Sitarama Sastry, an erudite Pandit who in his last years took to Sanyasa, translated this work into Telugu. The original text is followed by a lucid and detailed exposition, based on two old and authentic Sanskrit commentaries, one of them being by Chandrasekhara Bharati of Sringeri Math. This is a boon to all students of Advaita philosophy who desire to have a ground-knowledge of Advaita.

The tenth volume contains “Sivananda Lahari” and “Kanaka­durgananda Lahari” – two Stotras in praise of Siva and Kanaka­durga. Dr. Potukuchi Subrahmanya Sastry, a versatile scholar is the Telugu translator and commentator. One need not expatiate either upon the importance of the Stotras or on the merits of the translation as both the works and commentator are well-known to the Andhra public.

The eleventh volume contains Harimide Sthuti, a prayer to Hari that teaches the essence of Advaita, “Devyaparadha Kshama­pana”, “Vishnupaadadi Kesanta”, “Tripura Sundari Maanasa Puja”, “Mantra Matrika Varnamala”, “Mantra Matrika Pushpa­mala”, “Nitya Manasika Puja”, and three other Stotras in praise of Annapurna, Siva and Narayana. These are translated into Telugu by no less a person than Sri T. Raghava Narayana Sastry, a well-known living saint in family life, gifted with a vision of Sridevi and many miraculous powers that gave protection to many in need of divine help. This volume is a must to all devotees of Devi.    
–“SANDILYA”

TELUGU

Nayani SubbaRao Krutulu – Pariseelana: By Dr. A. Bhoomaiah. Published by Smt. A. Lakshmi. 5-1-47, Laskar Bazaar, Hanma­konda – 506001. Price: Rs. 30 and Rs. 40 for Library Edition.

Nayani Subba Rao carved out a niche for himself in the galaxy of modern poets on account of his sublime romanticism, rare artistry in versification, uncanny sense for the lyric and a philosophy of life. Dr. Bhoomaiah in this doctoral thesis purports to review the above aspects of Nayani’s poetry.

Starting with a life sketch of the poet with a view to high­light the moulding influences, the author proceeds to review his works like “Soubhadruni Pranaya Yatra”, an epoch-making poem of sublime love. “Vishada Mohanamu”, a great elegy, “Vedana Vasudevam”, a philosophical poem and “Janmabhoomi”, a classic on his birthplace. Other works of the poet like translation of “Soundarya Lahari,” “Matrugeetalu”, “Bhagyanagara Kokila” also figure in this evaluation.

Dr. Bhoomaiah’s critical appraisal of Nayani’s poetry is as authentic as it is readable, and provides the reader with an in­sight into the poetic art of Nayani and a overall picture of contemporary poetic scene.

–DR. DHARA RAMANADHA SASTRY