Triveni Journal

1927 | 11,233,916 words

Triveni is a journal dedicated to ancient Indian culture, history, philosophy, art, spirituality, music and all sorts of literature. Triveni was founded at Madras in 1927 and since that time various authors have donated their creativity in the form of articles, covering many aspects of public life....

Mahayana Buddhist Meditation: Theory and Practice: Edited by Minoru Kiyota. Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi-7. Price: Rs. 150.

There are two major traditions in the Mahayana Buddhist thought and practice: Indo-Tibetan and Sino-Japanese. Their meditational techniques differ though the goal is very much the same. Here are nine papers by specialists contributed to the festschrift volume in honour of Dr. Robinson who was a noted scholar and guide in Mahayana studies. The meditations dwelt upon are naturally of different types: Minoru Kiyota writes on Devotional meditation; Leon Hurvitz on Mindfulness; Charlene McDermott on Yogic direct awareness as means of valid cognition; Geshe Sopa on the two leading Principles of Buddhist Meditation.

Yuichi Kakiyama narrates an interesting incident in the history of Buddhism in Tibet in the 8th century. A Chinese monk Hva-shan was propounding the theory of sudden enlighten­ment “which maintained that one can attain perfect emancipa­tion instantaneously by means of mystic intuition and without the accumulation of learning, moral merits, and gradual training in meditation.” The contemporary Tibetan king, Khrisong sde­tsang, invited Santarakshita and later Kamalasila for a public debate on the Indian theory of gradual enlightenment vs. sudden illumination. Kamalasila won and the occasion marked the beginning of the waning of the influence of Chinese Zen in Tibet. Kamalasila argued that a Bodhisattva can attain the highest enlightenment only by a combination of karuna, upaya and prajna, with a prolonged training and discipline.

There are helpful lights on the various levels of meditation, the practice of “emptiness” and the role of concentration in the practice,

M. P. PANDIT

Adi Sankara: The Saviour of Mankind. Edited by S. D. Kulkarni. Bhagavan Vedavyasa Itihasa Samsodhana Mandira (BHISHMA), B 7-8, Shreepal Apartments, Panch Pakhadi, Thane-400 602. Price: Rs. 240.

This is the second publication of BHISHMA, an ambitious project aimed at publishing 18 volumes on Indian history­ – social, political and cultural – and presenting a correct chrono­logy, based on authentic sources. This work is a study of Sankara’s life, philosophy and message of love and integration to humanity. This is prepared after consulting the available Sankaracharitras and Mathaamnaayas. After a thorough examina­tion of internal and external evidences, 509 B. C is fixed as the year of Sankara’s birth.

It is further stated that Sankara after establishing the four Mutts on the four quarts assumed the leadership of the Sarvajna Peetha at Kanchi. Life sketch of Sankara in detail and short notes on his four disciples are given. Sankara’s tour throughout India is correlated with his Stotras of different gods. Twelve important Stotras, in Samskrit with English translation, are a source of inspiration to all devotees. Dialogue with Mandana­misra is dealt with in detail.

Above all, the first chapter entitled “Constructive introduc­tion to Advaita Vedanta” is the crest jewel of this work. It is a succinct, but clear and analytical exposition of the Advaita philosophy with all its subtle nuances. Sree Ramanuja’s seven charges levelled against Advaita are met with and rebutted. That Sankara is not a pseudo Buddhist is established. Many such misgivings are cleared and doubts dispelled.

The intrinsic value of this work can be understood from the fact that a noted Christian Bishop at Bombay, who had scant, respect, and nothing but disdain, for Sankara and his teachings, confessed in writing his ignorance of Sankara after reading this book.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

1) The Philosophy of a Guru 2) Vedanta Revalued and Restated: Both by Nataraja Guru. Published by Narayana Gurukula, Srinivasapuram, Varkala-695 145.

Late Narayana Guru was a great thinker and saint of renown. Nataraja Guru, the author of these two books under review, was his disciple. He founded the Narayana Gurukula. Atmo­padesa Satakam and Darsanamala are two of Narayana Guru’s precious writings. They propound Advaita philosophy.

The first book under review contains English translation of one hundred verses. This book is mainly a commentary on those verses, arranged topic-wise. Guru’s philosophy is also summarised in the last chapter. The purport of the Slokas is elucidated upon in the light of the old and the latest findings in mathematics, linguistics physical sciences, metaphysics, Western philosophies and psychology, etc.

Maayaa as understood in Guru-philosophy is the overall philosophical category of all possible errors, starting from simple optical illusions through eidetic representations of phenominalism, to the noblest and subtlest forms of philosophic error even though such factors as science (Vidya) and nescience (avidya) and nominalism and conceptualism. All horizontal factors are meant to be covered by this omnibus term Maayaa, and it stands equally for the negativity by Hegel, and the uncertainty principle of Heisenberg. It comprises all phenomeno­logical, eidetic, ontological or psychological presentiments.” (P 141) This book abounds with such statements as these.

The second book Vedanta Revalued, takes up some statements of the Upanishads and of Sankara and analyses them in the light of the modern sciences and Guru’s philosophy. According to the author, Vedanta is the science of sciences or the philosophy of sciences, expressed by the seers of India in a picturesque language which he calls proto-language, which has always been adopted by seers at all times and climes. Relying on this proto­linguism the author revises, revalues and restates Vedanta. The concepts of Sat, Chit and Ananda and their relationship is thoroughly examined.

The chapter dealing with the Absolute as word-value significance should be studied carefully. The author declares that Sankara’s Vedanta rests finally on semantics. The section entitled “Schematic protolinguism in Vedanta”, favourite examples in Vedanta, Seven questions and answers in Bhagavadgita are worth reading. The book closes with a summarized running review. An explanatory glossary of technical terms, if appended, will highly enhance the value and usefulness of this invaluable work.

B. KUTUMBA RAO

Tennis Players of Andhra: By Dr. A. Prasanna Kumar. Triveni Publishers (P) Ltd., Machilipltnam. Price Rs. 20.

Dr. A. Prasanna Kumar, Professor, Department of Politics, Andhra University, is a seasoned writer and journalist. His doctoral thesis on Dr. B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya is a monumental work and is considered to be a standard reference book. He has to his credit three more books and hundreds of articles in newspapers and magazines, including “Triveni”. The book under notice is a collection of fifty articles on famous tennis players. These sketches were published earlier in The Indian Express (Vijayawada) and were very well received by the lovers of the game. These articles are the result of sincere effort on the part of the author who has gathered the material from several sources, including personal interviews with veteran players.

The book opens with a fine sketch of C. Ramaswami who excelled not only in tennis but also in cricket and hockey. He represented India in the Davis Cup and he was a member of the cricket and hockey teams who played a series of test matches in England in 1936. Then follows Narumanchi Narayana­murti, who was the first player to put Andhra’s on the tennis map. He was admired by renowned British players and he, in his turn, inspired many young tennis players. Readers would be delighted to notice the careers of famous tennis players like Ghaus Mohammed, N. Krishnaswamy, P. L. Narayana Rao, R. V. V. S. Prasad, N. Rama Rao, M. Balachandra Rao (Baachi), M. R. Appa Rao, S. P. Mishra, J. Veerabhadra Rao and a host of tennis luminaries.

Dr. Prasanna Kumar, who is a brilliant sports commentator of Davis Cup ties and major cricket matches, presents here charming pen portraits of a galaxy of tennis players who brought fame to Andhra Pradesh. The book makes very interesting reading and should be read by all lovers of the game particularly the younger generation.

BHAVARAJU

From Crisis to Liberation (The Gita’s Gospel in Sri Aurobindo’s Light): By H. Maheswari. The Aurobindo Book Distribu­tion Agency, Pondicherry-2 Price: Rs. 25.

When Sri Aurobindo was in Alipur jail he had a unique experience of the Divine. Sri Krishna placed the Gita in his hands. Sri Krishna’s strength entered into him. Sri Aurobindo had the divine vision Vasudevassarvam. It was after that vision that Sri Aurobindo wrote twenty-four essays on Gita. To those that cannot wade through those essays, this book as an introduc­tion and guide to it, is highly useful. It gives the essence of Sri Aurobindo’s views.

The idea conveyed by the word Lokasamgraha is explained as follows: “As such the life of the people is to advance by following the leading example. In that advancement and evolution is included the development of spiritual consciousness and also conscious and highly developed performance of action ‘Karmakusala’ have their great significance.” (p. 27)

The purpose of Avatara is to help man to attain to the divine, to inspire man for a divine life, to establish the ideal of divine knowledge and divine work, to secure and to enthuse man for the perfection of divine consciousness and divine will by His living example.”(p. 36) Thus Sri Aurobindo’s indi­vidual approach is there in many interpretations which we can find here.

B. K. SASTRY

SAMSKRIT

Goda Sahasra Kamala Maalika: By K. S. Ramanujacharya. Sri Goda Grandhamaalaa, Musunuru - 521 207. Price: Rs. 8.

This book is a valuable addition to the Stotra literature in Samskrit. It is akin to the Lalitaa Sahasranaama Stotra in some respects. Goda’s life, her prayers, teachings, her form and beauty and her deep attachment to Srihari are all portrayed and described in the thousand names that are but sentences. There is no “naama” that is either repetitive or insignificant. Author’s command of Samskrit language reflects therein. A minor poem “Goda Suprabhatam” is prefixed to the Sahasranaama, as though to rouse Goda from her sleep so that she may hear this prayer. It is highly mellifluous and appealing.

“KAASYAPA”

SANSKRIT - ENGLISH

Upanishads in Sankara’s own words, Part I: By Vidyavachaspati V. Panoli. The Matrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co., Ltd., Calicut. Price: Rs. 170.

The book under review, containing four Upanishadic texts, Isa, Kena, Katha and Mandukya With the Kadkas of Gaudapada, in Samskrit, together with a correct English translation, exhaus­tive explanatory notes and above all, an inspiring foreword by the well known savant Sri V. R. Krishna Iyer, a retired Judge of the Supreme Court, is unique in many respects. For the first time we have here reference to Karikas on the Isavasya Upanishad, written by Gobhila and Narada. Interpretations there­in are compared with those of Sankara. Similarly interpretations of Sri Aurobindo, Narayanaguru and Vivekananda are also referred to. In his introduction Sri Panoli, in addition to citations, points out the significance of the word Upanishad and narrates in brief the life of Sankara and his philosophy.

The English translation is elegant. The texts of Karikas in Samskrit of Gobhila and Narada should have also been included in this volume. To understand the text proper in detail many more explanation are necessary. To point out one, Mandukya II/26 cannot be understood without some elucidation. These in no way detract the overwhelming merits of the work. We eagerly await the release of the other volumes.

B. K. SASTRY

Prasamarati Prakarana: By Vaachaka Srimad Umasvati. Edited by V. M. Kulkarni. Published by Mrs. Nita M. Bhogilal, Near Nagari Eye Hospital, Ellis Bridge, Ahmedabad - 380006.

This is a Jaina work consisting of 313 Samskrit verses with English translation and explanatory notes written by Mahesh Bhogilal. It is more didactic than philosophic like Bhartrihari’s Subhashitas. The great passions, Karma, politeness and humility, the nine concepts of reality, the stoppage of the activities of mind, speech and body and the rock-like state are some of the topics dealt with.

Many preachings are illustrated by fine examples. c. f. “Just as the body of one who has massaged it with oil gets covered by dust particles, similarly the Atman which has become sticky by the presence of Raga and Dvesha gets covered by the Karma particles” ( of the eight types mentioned in verse 34) and this is called bondage. Verses 41 to 45 exemplify the harm done to us by our sensory organs and these echo the teachings in Sankara’s Vivekachudamani. Sometimes preaching is illustrated by a story also. Thus this precious book is a practical guide to a perfect life and has its universal appeal.

“KAASYAPA”

TELUGU

Praacheena Andhra Mahaakavula Devi Pratipatti: By Dr. Kundurti Satyanarayana Murthy. For copies: Kundurti Baalaa Tripura­sundari, Door No. 11-47-46, Kalyanamandapam Veedhi, Vijayawada-520 001. Price: Rs. 116.

The word “pratipatti” can variously mean respect, intelli­gence, skill, knowledgeability and attainment. The work on hand is an effort to investigate the “pratipatti” of the ancient Telugu poets (beginning with Nannaya to the end of Srinatha’s Age) with reference to Devi, whatever it may mean. The word “Devi” is derived from the root “divi” which carries at least some ten senses. It is generally understood in the sense of “The Effulgent”. “The Sporting”, “The Ever-Winning” Sakti or Power, the prime mover of all the creation. The Devi Sukta of Vedic literature is well-known as also the Durgaa Sukta. This latter is said to be a non-Vedic Deity. The history of Sakta literature traces the worship of Durga as a Mother-Goddess to the area of Caspian Sea under the name of “Truqqa”. Perhaps the name of Turkey is also a cognate word.

Historians say that the tradition of “Ishtadevataastuti” in literary works started in the courts of Kalachuri kings and spread to the Rashtrakuta and Chalukyan courts influencing mainly the Kannada and Telugu works. While the Sanskrit works contain just one or two Slokas the Kannada and Telugu works contain more number of verses wherein the poets expressed their devotion to various gods and goddesses. Any investigation regarding the Devi or Sakti worship has to remember that the Alamkaara Saastra has used the word “sakti” in the sense of “pratibhaa” connoting the literary talent or genius saktirnipunataa loka saastra kaavyaadyavekshananaat, etc.) This makes it appear as though all the poets are worshippers of Sakti. Of course, poetic flow is one of the concomitant results of all Devi worship but the converse cannot be taken to be true. The second point is that one has to bear in mind the influence of tradition on the generality of poets, and when a poet devotes a verse for Saraswati in a tradition-bound manner one has to be wary in declaring him to be a devotee of the goddess. One finds it difficult to believe, as the author seems to suggest, that Nannayabhatta, nay all the Eastern Chalukyan kings, were Srividyaa Upaasakas. The author’s views regarding Nannichoda, Tikkana and Gona Buddhareddy are others that came under this category. The difficulty arises because of the fact the author chooses to attribute any mention of the Devi or Sakti to the poet’s devotion to Her. Ketana’s mention of “Bhairavi” is a clear statement of his devotion to the Deity and has to be accepted as such. Tikkana’s mention of Durga in Virata Parva is embedded in the story and cannot make him a Sakta even if he has added a few more details than its original. The poet being a Saakta and the subject matter lending itself to an interpretation in terms of Saakta are two different things.

Be that as it may, the reader has a rewarding access to a lot of remote and recondite information. One can get to know the concepts of Mahaa Kaali, Mahaa, Lakshmi, Mahaa Saraswati, Durga, Lalita, Kaamaakshi, Chandrabhushakriyaa Sakti, Kaameswari, Prabhaa, Ekaveeraa, Sita, Chandi, Visaalaakshi, Annapoorna, Yoga Maaya, Bhadra Kaali or Krishna, Vijaya, Kumuda, Kanyaka, Isaana, Kaatyaayani, Ashta Maatrikas, Kumaari, Baalaa, Somaapeedaa, Gangaa and Krodha Kaali, etc.

The work is a Doctoral thesis. While the work exudes the author’s enormous acquaintance with the Tantra (which is generally referred to as Mantrasastra in the South) one cannot help feeling that more objectivity could have been brought to bear on the work, avoiding a lot of confusion and obfuscation in the process. One is bewildered to read that “Pratyamgiraa Rik Paarayanakrama” is none other than “Vana Durgaa Mahaa Vidya Pancasati.” (page 227)

The author is to be congratulated for his effort. While it is good in parts, it bears better writing. The printing is atrociously bad.

DR. SALVA KRISHNAMURTHY

Adhunika Andhra Sahityamulo Chaitanya Sravanti (Stream of Consciousness in Modern Telugu Literature): By Y. Ramakrishna Rao. Publications Division, Vedika, 1-1-261/798, Chikkadapally, Hyderabad-20. Price: Rs. 40.

Krishna Sastry Krishnapaksham Oka Pariseelana: By Meruva Venkateswara Rao. Visalandhra Publishing House, Vignan Bhavan, Bank Street, Hyderabad-500 001. Price: Rs. 10.

Kattamanchi Musalamma Maranamu: By K. Damodara Reddy. Price: Rs. 10.

Vimarsakuniga Rallapalli: By V. Ramanjani Kumari. Price: Rs. 10.

Vachana Kavita: Aspashtata: By M. Ravindra Reddy. Price: Rs. 10.

Vachana Kavitalo Kavitva Kavita: By G. Santhi. Price: Rs. 10. All published by Navayuga Book Distributors, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad-l.

Despite a conservative view that research in languages and humanities is an exercise in cutting and pasting, it has come to stay as a form of academic discipline – thanks to the incen­tives offered by the universities and overall academic awareness on the part of the countless graduates coming out of the portals of the academic citadels year after year. While it is always open to question as to what original thought has been contributed by the scholars at large, there is no denying that by dint of methodicity and organised work they are able to produce good, compact reference books on the subject of their choice. One cannot lose sight of the fact that once in a way a brilliant work makes its appearance on the scene. It is in this perspective that one has to view and evaluate the recent trends in research.

Ramakrishna Rao’s thesis on Chaitanya Sravanti in Modern Telugu Literature is a thorough-going scholastic effort deep and wide at once. He examines with a penchant for detail the school of thought as propounded by James Joyce, traces its history in English literature and examines its ramifications in seven notable modern novels. He also discusses the school of thought in relation to surrealism, expressionism and existentialism. Numerous short stories and some poetic works also came under study with regard to the school of thought. Authentic exposition and clear thought conveyed in readable prose mark this treatise which should please the expert and layman.

Among the trend-setting poets of yesteryears Krishna Sastry is unique. Unsuccessful love, and resultant remorse, sensuoue imagery, sweet lyricism and sublime thought have put him on the high pedestal of Bhavakavita (lyrical poetry). His discursive and lyrical essays, audio playlets done for A. I. R., film songs and enjoyable discourses have gone into the making of a totality of Krishna Sastry’s literary legacy. M. Venkateswara Rao’s book seeks to study “Krishnapaksham”, the poet’s magnum opus. Venkateswara Rao has admiration for his hero and involvement in the subject and so succeeds in bringing out a fine introduction to Krishna Sastry’s poetry.

Kattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy was an apostle of modern literary criticism, a poet of no mean caliber, a prolific writer on a variety of subjects, an educationalist and a great son of Andhra. K. Damodara Reddy in this critical endeavour evaluates Kattamanchi’s literary accumen with special reference to Musalamma Maranamu, an epoch-making tragic poem in modern literature. A brief life sketch, the influence of East and West on his poetry, an impassioned review of the poem, his influence on the contemporary literary scene, a collection of credible opinions on Kattamanchi form the content of the book with a journalistic approach and facile prose.

Rallapalli Anantakrishna Sarma a versatile and integrated genius is a force to reckon with in the annals of Telugu culture. He occupies a place of pride as a great critic who has held high the flag of Indian aesthetics, a scholar of rare merit, a musician and above all an introvert with spiritual moorings. Following the archetypal plan of most of the dissertation V. Ramanjani Kumari gives a life sketch, Telugu criticism prior to and after Rallapalli, a brief review of his works (Natakopanya­samulu, Saraswatopanyasamulu and Vemana, to name a few) and evaluates his total personality, thus paying a well-deserved tribute to the multi-faceted genius of Ral1apalli in an impassioned manner.

Obscurity, ambiguity, vagueness – though not synonymous – indicate that which is not clear and above comprehension and in the context of literary criticism it suggests that the poet’s thought is beyond the plane of the reader’s comprehension. While some critics have extolled the virtue of vagueness in poetry, some have flayed it to the possible extent. Lot of critical effort has already been put in this regard, especially in English poetic studies. Ravindra Reddy interprets vagueness in respect of verse-libre in modern Telugu literature. The main chapters deal with the origin and growth of vagueness, the origin and their interaction. Organised academic research, and objective conclusions mark the research work dealing with a new subject, eminently readable.

G. Santhi takes up the study of free verse in Telugu in respect of its definition of poetry, “Poetry as a subject in poetry” as she succinctly puts it. While giving the reader various defini­tions of the individual poets of the genre she traces the evolution of the free verse in the context of various political movements in Andhra. Thus Abhyudaya, Digambara and Viplava schools of poetry are analysed. A similar effort is done in old Roman­ticist and other schools of poetry to provide the necessary ground for the study. The dissertation culminates in establishing the interaction of the poet with contemporary trends in a well-documented manner.

DR. D. RAMANATHA SASTRI

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