Book Reviews

‘VRUDDHULA PRAPAMCHAM’. (Telugu) (The world of the Aged); Prof. Turaga Somasundaram; 16-2-836/C/5, Madhavan agar, Saidabad Hyderabad - 500 659; Rs. 40/­

This is one of the rare books that will be of real use to the aged and ageing persons, particularly those who are retiring from service. It is a comprehensive guide covering all aspects of turn light life - health, medical care, problems of adjustment and spiritual advice. It gives valuable information on “Planning for old age”, family relations and management of old age homes.

The book is chapterised so that material is methodically arranged for the convenience of the reader. Even youth should read this moderately priced but exhaustive book. It is recommended for all public and college libraries.

I. V. Chalapati Rao

THE TEMPLE ON THE HILL AND OTHER POEMS; C. S. Srinivas, Gana Bharati, 2nd Main Road, Padmanabha Nagar, Bangalore - 560 070. Pages 52+8. Rs. 30/­-

There are atleast half a dozen poems in the little sheaf of thirty odd pieces which are memorable and could achieve immortality. And it is no small achievement. The poems are “modern” in the sense of being in the spoken rhythm and not singing tone. They are reflective rather than lyrical. ­
No poet has dared so far to show that a “prostitute” is not worse than a housewife. “At the Window”, a prostitute spends the evenings looking for her customers. She is not without regrets for her calling. But she does not prefer to be a housewife. She knows that marriage is no better than “legalised prostitution” - The housewife is a cook, a drudge and a slave without economic independence. She had once an offer from a paramour to marry.

She has spurned the offer
For then, she would have been a slave
From dawn to dusk,
Toiling at her task all day
And in the night to the cot
To satisfy his lust.
She is her won mistress now

Has her freedom and made some lucre too...One may call her immoral. In another beautiful poem, THE PAINTER AND HIS MODEL he shows how the painter after finishing his masterpiece with the model in the nude before him succumbs to his lust. One wishes the poet had depicted the “morality” of many women (and men) in the “permissive” spheres of our society.

He points to the hypocrisy of praising the dead on the Tombstones for whom they had no regard when they were alive. If one came from the dead, he would feel some fulfilment in death he missed in his life. He exposes the hypocrisy of the politicians who spurn beggars but are no better than they at the election time.

There are also poems of positive praise like the one on the great singer M.S. There are poems of various types revealing the rich and varied experience of one who has lived for eighty one years. Let us wish him the traditional “Satamanam”, the full measure of one hundred years.

K. B. Sitaramayya

REFLECTIONS ON “UPADESA SARAM” OF BHAGAVAN SRI RAMANMAHARSHI by Sri M. Bhimesena Rao. Pages 170. Price Rs. 70/- Published by Sri. M. Bhima Sena Rao, 2nd Military Line, Berhampur ­1.2000.

The book is an erudite commentary on Sri Ramana Maharshi’s classic composition of the above title. These reflections were written down by Sri Rao over a period of one year whenever he found himself in a tranquil mood.

The origin of UPDESA SARA makes interesting reading. The poet muruganar found it difficult to explain Lord Siva’s exposition made to certain egocentric Rishis about the redeeming knowledge of the Self in the work he was writing. Muruganar appealed to Sri Ramanas for help. Sri Ramana readily agreed and composed in Tamil thirty verses known as ‘Upadesa Undiyar” and later translated the same into Sanskrit. These verses are being chanted in Arunachala even to-day from the day they were written, verses which explain how one can live happily in the service of god and man.

Sri Bhimasen Rao who is deeply read in scriptural and vedic literature renders the meaning of each verse of “Upadesa Sara” in English in a clear and lucid manner, choosing words which fall within the range and grasp of the common man. The Sanskrit verse is given along with the English transliteration and word meanings followed by the summary and the commentary.

The work is surely the result of spiritual inspiration.

The book will be eagerly read by the devotees of Bhagavan Sri Ramana as well as laymen with benefit.

D. Ranga Rao