Reviews

The Gandhian Way: By Amlan Datta. The Director of Publica­tions, North Eastern Hill University, Midland Compound, Gowri Road, Shillong-3. Price: Rs. 20.

Professor Amlan Datta belongs to the North-Eastern Hill University and has himself led a Gandhian way of life. His devotion to the principles of the Mahatma which held his soul in integrity have influenced the professor to the extent of making deep studies of the fundamental basis of the Gandhian way of life as also analyse the perspectives which guided the Mahatma while alive.

Four lectures are recorded in this volume under four heads which easily tell their tales of how scientifically the author tries to divide his topics. In the first lecture he traces Gandhiji’s criticism of the industrial society which has come to stay. His remedy is not in a total destruction of what has obtained during the age of science and technology, but his suggestion or rather his belief is more to reduce the centralisation of power, a strong beauracracy, a materialistic ethic and culture and a strong competitive spirit. His belief that a centralisation of this kind can only base itself on violence, needs no repetition here. Gandhi felt that those belonging to commanding heights in society should perform their functions in a spirit of Trusteeship, and to effect such an outlook, public opinion should be trained enough to make this obligatory.

In the second lecture on parliamentary democracy. Gandhiji’s views on the parliamentary system are explained. Gandhiji only conceded to parliamentary system as better than other systems which are worse. He placed a high price on individual freedom which, according to him, runs the risk of compromise in preserving party loyalty. Under any circumstance moral consciousness has to be kept in tact which may prove difficult for an individual in a party. If at all he could try to save his freedom, it can only be done by his efforts to suffer in attempting change of mind within the party. Gandhiji also suggested decentralising politically down to the level of the, village Panchayat of governance which alone could save people from corruption with high stakes in elections. In the third lecture, National Integration, which today is the raging problem, could be only restored, according to the Mahatma, by the non-violent method or Satyagraha of wedding Love with Truth. The leadership of an individual or a group not belonging to any party but with high ideals of selflessness and a sense of mission, which on occasions should rise to cleanse the evils in order to gain a better order in society. National integration cannot be easily secured in a country like India with its various castes and creeds constantly conflicting with each other, unless a band of workers with no personal motives, work for peace and freedom from corruption of every kind and variety. Soul-force engendered in an individual could do more than all talks of peace and unity in solving such problems. The last chapter on “Gandhi and God” gives in a nutshell Gandhiji’s favourite belief of Truth as more than even love-making for slipperiness in life.

These lectures on the whole preserve a unity of Gandhiji’s thought, philosophy and action interpreted with great clarity and conviction. They are free of over-elaboration and the very brevity add beauty to the expression.
–K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Structural Depths of Indian Thought: By P. T. Raju. South Asian Publishers, Daryaganj, New Delhi-2. Price: Rs. 73.

Modelled on the History of Philosophy by the German historian, W. Windelband, this latest work of Dr. Raju is of significance not only to teachers and students at the universities but also for the general reader who is interested in the spirit and drive of Indian philosophy. The author explains that Indian Philosophy has been clubbed with religion in the academic circles of the West and therefore its thought-content has not received as much attention as it should have. His approach to the subject is to keep out the element of religion as far as possible and delve into the profundities of the Indian mind; keeping in view, however, the interest in life-values on the part of the system-builders. He underlines the importance of the Mimamsa system particularly because it has provided the general basis for social organisation in India. That this philosophy is action-oriented but also ethic-based is emphasised.

Beginning with the ideas of the Upanishads, he studies the main principles of each system, Charvaka, Jainism, Buddhism, Nyaya, Vaiseshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta schools, Saivism, Saktism, Bhagavadgita and takes a brief look at contemporary thinkers like Radhakrishnan, Sri Aurobindo, Tagore, etc. He notes the increasing preoccupation of modern philosophers with the problems of social life, their attempts to dilute the meaning of maya. He posits the truth of aham(I-am) which is the basis of “freedom, responsibility, duty.” It is also the supreme goal.

This work represents Dr. Raju’s maturity at its highest and will surely influence evaluation of Indian Thought for a long time.
–M. P. PANDIT

1) No Other Path to go 2) Truth, Beauty and Goodness: Both by Radha Burnier. Theosophical Publishing House, Madras-20. Price: Rs. 17-25 and Rs. 16.25.

With a strong Krishnamurthian flavour, these writings which appeared originally in the Theosophist, throw light on many of the problems that the mind is confronted with when one takes to spiritual life. It is emphasised, first, that there is no set path in this domain for everyone to follow. Each one has to discover his direction. The journey is not smooth; there are stages of preparation, purification, illumination and arrival. Purity of motive, feeling and action is a must. Gurus are insisted upon by tradition but unless the seeker is ready, the Guru can do little. To seek for personal salvation is indeed selfish; to invoke the Truth of Love and surrender oneself to this Love of God inthe world, in this creation at all levels, becomes the heroic spirit.

In most of the spiritual traditions, especially those of the ascetic variety, there is a total shunning of the aesthetic element in life. The second publication emphasises the need of perceiving Beauty in external Nature and building beauty in the inner. Satyam, Sivam, Sundaram–thus is defined the goal of the awaken­ed man. Radha Burnier underlines the truth that beauty is not only of form; there is a beauty of thought, beauty of feeling, beauty of conduct. Goodness is Beauty in action. All the three verities are to be cultivated by Right Living, a conscious effort to harmonise all movements of the being, within and without.

Both the books are feeders to the spiritual evolution of consciousness.

–M. P. PANDIT

The Future Poetry: By Sri Aurobindo. Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. Price: Rs. 40.

Sri Aurobindo’s creative consciousness was illumined by the Sun of his Realisation and hence his writings on Yoga, philosophy, literature and criticism are all of a piece. If his Yoga posited the emergence of the Gnostic Being, the series of essays that grew out of his review of J. H. Cousins’s New Ways in English Literature explicated how this new man would evolve his own literary theory of the Gnostic Age. Subsequently published as The Future Poetry, this study of poetry is a connoisseur’s delight. Both poetic theory and history of poetry find niches in its vast spaces and the Orient and the Occident come together as an overwhelming cascade of wonderful English prose.

The first part is generally about the heritage of English poetry. Poetic expression at its best – in whatever language – is Mantric and that is possible only when the highest intensity of rhythmic movement, interwoven verbal form and thought-substance, and the soul’s vision of truth meet and become indissolubly one. Sri Aurobindo opines that among modern European tongues it is the English language which has produced “the most rich and naturally powerful poetry.” Shakespeare is, of course, the one great and genuine dramatic poet...He stands out too as quite unique in his spirit, method and quality.” Sri Aurobindo is aware of Shakespeare’s limitations too. “He is not primarily an artist, a poetic thinker or anything else of the kind.” Sri Aurobindo’s overview brings us up to Meredith and Phillips, A. E., and Yeats. He bids welcome to Walt Whitman’s poetry that sends forward “an arclight of prophetic expression on what is at the very heart of the new movement of humanity.”

The “new movement of humanity” according to Sri Aurobindo will be towards an increasingly intuitive mind. The poetry of the future would reflect this, bring the Mantric utterance of the Vedic times and embody the same in the common life and action of man. Thus will life here be transformed into life divine as man’s poetic vision comes forward to help his spiritual realisation:

“It is in effect a larger cosmic vision, a realising of the god­head in the world and in man, of his divine possibilities as well of the greatness of the power that manifests in what he is, a spiri­tualised uplifting of his thought and feeling and sense and action, a more developed psychic mind and heart, a truer and deeper insight into his nature and the meaning of the world, a calling of diviner potentialities and more spiritual values into the intention and structure of his life that is the call upon humanity, the prospect offered to it by the slowly unfolding and now more clearly disclosed Self of the universe”.

–Dr. PREMA NANDAKUMAR

The Rise of the Religious Significance of Rama: By Frank Whaling. Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi-7. Price: Rs. 100.

This is not just another book on Valmiki’s Ramayana, but one with a distinction. This is a study of three texts, Valmiki’s Ramayana, Adhyatma Ramayana, and Ramacnarita-manas of Tulasi Das. “Rise of religious significance of Rama”, as found and viewed historically, symbolically and theologically, in the three texts is the main theme of this work. Western historical objective method, and Indian traditional approach are harmoni­ously welded together in this study. A sympathetic understanding of Indian point of view runs throughout as an undercurrent. A comparative study of Rama, Krishna and Christ is another special feature of this work.

Summaries of the three texts, grounds to the latter two Ramayanas, and deviations from Valmiki’s Ramayana therein are given. Historically the three texts represent stages in the growth of Rama tradition. Symbolically, Rama was at first a man ideal to all respects, an incarnation of Dharma, then a succession to Indra, then Avatar of Vishnu and deeper still Brahman, the Absolute. Theological development also by stages is similarly shown. Presentation of the growth in the symbolic representation of Rama, the author claims, is his major contribution to the subject.

All the statements throughout the text are substantiated by appropriate quotations or references from the texts.

In his preface to the book Prof. Ingalls rightly remarks that the “theology of Rama had a great future.” The emotional attitude in the Ramayana “bears a striking resemblance to that of traditional Christianity.” Exposition of the subject throughout is brilliant and scholarly. The statement of the author, “Guha’s fear that the contact of Rama’s feet would change his boat into a stone has no meaning in the Bhakti context” (166) does not appear to be correct. It deserves to be reconsidered. This is a book that all Rama-lovers must own. Students of, comparative religion will also be benefited by this study.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Living in the Absolute [Studies in Visishtaadwaita Philosophy]: By N. C. Ramanujachary. For copies, Author, Olcott Bungalow, The Theosophical Society, Adyar, Madras-20. Price: Rs. 15.

Quintessence of the system of Visishtaadvaita Philosophy, as expounded by Sri Ramanujacharya, is presented herein a very lucid language. Peripheral discussions are not resorted to. The three chapters in this monograph deal with the essential teachings, the five bases for wisdom and a code for human conduct. The last chapter is a practical guide for a good life to one and all, irrespective of their faith. This is a nice introduction to Visishtadvaite system of philosophy to a lay man also.
–B. KUTUMBA RAO

Concept of Cow in The Rigveda: By Doris Srinivasan. Motilal Banarsidas, New Delhi-7. Price: Rs. 25.

The present work, a thesis for Ph. D. from Pennsylvania University, is the first ever book-length study of the concept of cow in Rig Veda from economic, ritual, mythological and epithetical angles. It offers fresh insights into life and culture in Rig Vedic age through philological analyses of the cow-terms–aghnya, usraa, usriya, dhenu, go, vasa and stari. The author examines a little over three hundred and fifty hymns culled from the ten Mandalasof Rig Veda to conclude that in addition to representing material well-being, the cow is a symbol through which Vedic man’s knowledge of the unknown is widened. He says in fine: “Through similes and metaphors, the cow, known so well through daily observation, is able to clarify and then identify cosmic phenomena as well as gods and goddesses. Even so, there is no evidence in the text that cows are regarded as sacred, or, that a taboo against cow killing exists. Moreover, in daily life cows were slaughtered for food.”

It is difficult to come across another book of such thorough documentation and authenticity. But however authentic and authoritative it appears to be, it cannot be taken as last word on the subject since it depends heavily on the nineteenth century western scholarship, and ignores the more recent native Indian Vedic scholarship, which corrects some of the mistakes com­mitted by Saayana, Sankara et al, not to speak of the western scholars like Goldstucker who refused to tread the beaten track. Purely ritualistic meanings of many of the Rig Vedic hymns have been successfully repudiated by Dayananda Saraswati, Sri Aurobindo, Kavyakantha Ganapati Muni, Kapaali Sastry and Pandit Sripada Damodar Satvalekar, not to speak of the ancient Madhwa­charya, propagator of dual philosophy, and Hiranya Kesi’s Grihya Sutras. It is now well established, for example, that Vasadoes not stand for a barren cow as the author takes it to mean and that maamsaneed not as often does not denote ‘flesh’. By far the most interesting and valuable contribution seems to be the author’s interpretation of the myth of Panis and its com­parison with the myth of the Vritra. In spite of its inherited western attitudes the book is a very important contribution to Vedic studies.
–DR G. SRIRAMA MURTHY

Art of Indian Dancing: By Projesh Bannerji. Sterling Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd., New Delhi-16. Price: Rs. 175.

Terpsichorean art, besides being a performing art, is also a composite one consisting of dance, song and rhythm, all aesthetically blended. All these are performed with a ground of colourfully set stage suited to the theme of the performance. The history of dance, its components and other allied topics have been dealt with by the author in an expert manner.

These composite arts are symbolic. Creation consists of eternal vibration (spandana) and movement (sancara) of the planets, solar systems and other innumerable stars of the universe. This is epitomised in the figure of Siva-Nataraja. The music of the spheres is symbolised in the euphonic sounds that emanate from the grand and majestic movement of the heavenly bodies. Mahesvara Sutras are the alphabet. The primeval monogrammatic sound of Omis also an epitome and from this emanated the sapta svara. Moreover these movements in dance convey to the audience the ideas (bhavah),emotions, feelings and sentiments.          It is an art of communication. This is semantic attitudinisation–­meaningful poses and postures.

Kathakali has specialised in detail and subtle movements of the body, angabhinaya. For palm-poses, they follow the text of Hasta Dipika. Its performance can be appreciated only by an initiated audience, who have studied the science of dance. Odissi’s migration to the Eastern lands is dealt with and, Manipuri system is narrated in detail of its technique.

Pradyumna in page 125 is not the correct name. It was Manmatha that shot the flower arrow at Siva, while the latter was in askesis and met with disaster.

For a connoisseur the book affords good reading, for an amateur it is informative and for a professional though its reading is surfeit of study yet it refreshes him.
–N. S. KRISHNA MURT

Buddhist Monuments of China and South-East India: By I. K. Sarma. Sandeep Prakashan, C-2/9,Community Centre, Ashok Vihar Phase II, Delhi-52. Price: Rs. 350.

Each country in the world has got its own glory while China is conspicuous by its unique glory, both secular and sacred, intellectual and aesthetic. Its material and non-material cultures ran like parallel lines in co-existence. Moreover, Chinese ancient patriotism did never discourage the universal fraternity and the international spirit of mutual exchange of cultures with other countries, especially India.

Dr. Sarma is a profound scholar endowed with meticulous observation and penetrating introspection – observation of the phenomenon and introspection of the noumenon and thus he is able to comprehend the shapes of the appearances as well as the mysteries of the realities–the objective exterior and the subjective interior.

The visual perception of the monuments of a country fails to reveal its past unless the perceiver has the historical knowledge of the country, its kings and the people. As the author happens to be a talented archaeologist, an art-critic and a man of letters, his monograph has become more than a mere monograph. The most interesting aspect of this monograph is its illustrations, apart from the illuminating text.

Leaving aside the pre-historical times and coming to the historical periods, ruins of Hindu temples were discovered around Quanzhou, the port town in South-East China. It is well known about the Buddhist contacts between China and India but about the Hindu links it is less known and even unknown. Dr. I. K. Sarma is able to reveal these concealed truths.

National integration is desirable, no doubt, but international integration is more than desirable and for such international integration, human integrity, humane amity and universal psychical affinity, such luminous volumes as the present one by Dr. Sarma are indispensable. especially in this nuclear age. All nationalism, all rationalism, all emotionalism should work towards re-establishing compassion, wisdom and freedom in order to annihilate the present dark forces which hanker to extinguish the triple-flame of cognition, conation and affection.

–Dr. SANJIVA DEV

The Winged Gods: By Amal Ghose. Published by Tagore Institute of Creative Writing, International, ‘Diparun’ T-29, 7th Avenue, Besantnagar. Madras-90. Price: $ 6, £ 5.

Oscar Wilde said about his fairy tales that they were “an attempt to mirror modern life in a form more remote from reality ... to deal with modern problems in a mode that is ideal and not imitative.” One might say that Amal Ghose in these short stories has tried to mirror contemporary life in India in a mode that is decidedly not “imitative”. As the publishers’ blurb says, he has tried to “explore decadence and degeneration in family and social life in particular and hellish living in general.” And for this purpose he has avoided the easy, imitative mode of holding a non-distorting mirror to life or Zolaesque naturalism which resembles the technique of the newspaper reporter rather than that of a literary artist. On the other hand, Amal Ghose has achieved an effective blend of fantasy and Orwellian satire to portray life and its problems in today’s India.

The most significant stories in the collection, judged from the point of view of the present situation in India, are The Equal of the Winged Gods and Where Dame Luck Favours. The former points to the way political and social life in India has been steadily deteriorating. Even the Independence Day, which was once a day of great rejoicing, is no longer celebrated with enthusiasm. Where Dame Luck Favours is a story about a traditional Brahmin family which has lost its moorings and fallen into evil ways. The women of the family pretend to be wealthy and an innocent woman whose only son needs expensive medical treatment in a foreign country is taken in by their hypocrisy.

Considering that the seven stories in the volume under review make really interesting reading, one would welcome many more volumes of short stories from Amal Ghose’s pen.

–K. S. VENKATARAMU

Sapta Svara (An Enchiridion of seven essays on Biography, Art and Literature): By N. S. Krishna Murti. Edited by A. Venkata Raman. For copies: The Author, Mulapet, Nellore-3. Price: Rs. 15.

The very title of this slender volume indicates the aesthetic heart and tastes of the author, whose mellow muses expressed in an elegant style are sure to enrapture and enlighten any reader on Indian culture, art and literature. In the first two essays the author pays homage to Dr. A. K. Coomaraswamy, “the master Spirit of our age”. A profile of that great savant is presented. His vast learning and culture are highlighted. Meed of praise showered upon him by eminent persons is placed before us. Above all, his likes and dislikes, his deep insights into the spirit and soul of Indian art and culture, his penchant for folk lore, myths and ancient customs all of which are symbolic, his humility, genius and selflessness are all brought to the forum.

The third essay sheds fresh light in the significance of the Indian art of portraiture, that is indicated by Bhasa in his Pratima Nataka in the scene representing the portrait gallery. This is painted out far the first time by Dr. AKC. Students of Samskrit drama should need this essay. The fourth essay an Chitralekhana is an authentic treatise an Indian painting in all its aspects, based an ancient Samskrit works on Chitralekhana. Outlines of Bharata’s Natyasastra, its theory and practice form the subject of the fifth essay. The sixth essay deals with a dance concert described by Srinatha in his Palnati Veeracharitram. The last essay presents a panoramic view of Godavari valley. A biographical sketch of the author is appended to the text proper. All lovers of Indian culture and art should make this work their own and treasure it.
–“KAASHYAPA”

SAMSKRIT AND TELUGU

Lalitaa Trishati Bhaashyam: Telugu translation by G. Krishna Murty. Bhuvana Vijayam Publications, Kaspavaari street, Governorpet, Vijayawada-2. Price: Rs. 20.

“Lalitaa Trishati Stotra” needs no introduction to the devotees of the goddess Lalita. That Sri Shankara thought it fit to comment in detail on this speaks volumes of its importance. This book under review is an authentic and almost literal translation of the Bhaashya and the introduction and concluding verses of the Stotra proper. Three important features contributed tothe excellence and usefulness of the book are - (1) This translation contains explanatory notes also on the technical and significant words and phrases in the original. (2) Telugu translation of a small text “Srividya Dipika” by Agastya is added separately. This expounds the meanings of the three parts of the “Pancha­dasi” Mantra. (3) Above all an introduction of forty pages is a masterly treatise on Srividyaa and its alliance with Advaita philosophy and Yoga, concepts of Siva, Isvara, Tripurasundari, Mantras, Varnas and their significance. Six Chakras, Hrimkara Omkara, Paraa, Pasyanti and Vaikhari sounds and Shabda Brahman, etc., are explained, as found expended in “Prapanchasaara Tantra” of Shankara, and other texts. All these make this book an indispensable one far all the aspirants in this field.
–B. K. SASTRY

Bharati Kala Tarangini: By Mangalagiri Prameela Devi, Hindu College, Machilipatnam. Price: Rs. 14.

The essays herein touch upon the musical and literary achievements of great Masters like Narayana Teertha, Munipalli Subrahmanya Kavi of Adhyatma Ramayana fame, Tyagaraja, Annamacharya, Ramadas and some modern composers too. The author exudes a deep scholarship in literature and musicology and has an eye for the finesse. However, lesser deleniation on the commonplace and familiar ideas would have enhanced the impact.

–Dr. DHARA RAMANADHA SASTRY

Hamsaladeevi: By Ravoori Venkata Satynarayana Rao. Diviseema Sahiti Samiti, Gandhi Kshetram, Avanigadda-521 123. Price: Rs. 5.

This novelette with a thin story line revolves around a composer, his father and a dansuese. The romance between the composer and the dansuese, its initial flourish, subsequent setand final sublimation in the cause of divine service are some of the threads woven into a fine fabric of this lyrical novel. The author’s museful association with Diviseema of Krishna District with its natural beauty and cultural splendour pervades all through the novelette and adds to its depth and grandeur. A fine example of atmosphere and lyrical fiction.

–Dr. DHARA RAMANADHA SASTRY

Gandheya Margam – Tatwikata: By Yetukuri Balarama Murthy. Gandheya Samaja Sevamandali, Gandhi Kshetram, Avanigadda-521 123. Price: Rs. 10.

In this small book, a compilation of Radio talks, the author, an eminent journalist and historian of Marxist hue, studies the life of Mahatma with an accent on philosophic truths that inspired him, especially Bhagavadgita. Mahatma’s failures and successes are no doubt chronicled but how Gandhiji emerged as a Sthitaprajna under the tutelege of Gita is of paramount importance here. A welcome addition to the Gandhian studies with clarity in thought and expression.
–Dr. DHARA RAMANADHA SASTRY