BOOK REVIEWS

 

ENGLISH

 

RANDOM NOTES ON THE GITA: D.Sitarama Rao, 151, 2nd floor, Peters Road, Chennai, 600 086; pp 112 (Unpriced)

 

In the introduction to the book, the author says “ I call this book ‘Random Notes’ because the Notes do not dwell on all the verses.  Those verses which put me in a reflective frame of mind have been commented upon”.  One notices, however, that most of the random verses commented upon by the author are verses which express the very essence of the Gita while a few others, are verses whose meaning is difficult to understand and which are capable of yielding different interpretations.  As regards the former kind of verses which deal with the different paths of Self-realisation like Yoga, Bhakti, Jnana etc. and nishkaama karma, work without desire or attachment, and the concept of lokasangraha, the author has added perceptive comments of his own on each verse, referring at appropriate places to views expressed by great saints and thinkers and, in the light of the present day conditions in society.  He has stressed the concept of lokasangraha taught by the Gita which stands for the unity of the world and the interconnectedness of society.  As regards the few verses which are “riddles wrapped in mystery” the author expresses wonderment as to their real meaning, inducing the thoughtful reader to make the further in-depth study.

 

The Bhagvad Gita is perhaps the most commented upon book in the world and as Dr.S.Radhakrishnan observes “Many apparently conflicting beliefs are worked into a simple unity to meet the needs of the time, in the true Hindu spirit, that over all of them broods the grace of God”.  Though different commentators on the Gita have emphasized different aspects of the teaching, the brilliant synthesis made in the text, has been accepted by the Indian tradition as illuminating and fostering the true eternal life and unity of the spirit.  No book on the Gita is therefore one too many, because its teaching is perennial and is of universal application.  The author’s comments on some of the verses are creative and insightful and throw additional light on their purport in the context of the present day conditions in society, and are certainly useful and instructive to the earnest student to the Gita.                                               

-N. Sriramamurty

 

Bhagavadgita –Treatise of self-help: B. S. Murty, Self imprint, Hyderabad, ppxi+227, Rs.145/-

 

Mr. B.S. Murthy’s book under review defies usual classification.  It is not either a ‘translation’ or a trans-creation in the usual sense of the terms.  Published by Self Imprint, the work is innovative, exploratory if adventurous.  The writer claims that certain interpolations could be read into the hoary discourse and tries to give a widely secular interpretation if not a complete exegesis of the putatively interpolated portions.

 

The GITA, the sacred and mellifluous song has been holding readers under a mighty spell down the ages but this is perhaps the first time that an imaginative devotee of the Supreme Being feels that some portions appear to be ‘out of tune’ and thus gives rise to the idea of possible interpolations.  The very feeling of any interpolation would baffle many a reader with the faintest acquaintance of this awesome song celestial.  But the author tries to argue his case with what result only the individual reader can understand.

 

The work is in attempt to ‘re-call’ in a language the author thinks is nearer to the contemporary idiom.  In the intro piece ‘Awe unfounded’ Mr. Murty explains that his attempt is to attract new readers to this universally wholesome discourse, which is valid and valuable for all time.

 

Here is a sampling of the author’s rendering of the slokas (the first few words are given along with Chapter and Verse) in English:

 

Chapter 1.1

dharama-kshetre kuru keshetre….

What’s in air in awe awaited

Breaking news of battle royal!

Chapter 2.23.

nainam chindanti shastraani:

Wound not weapons

Know spirit eternal,

Nor scathe elements

Wind, water and fire.

Chapter3.14        

annandbhavati biutaani:

Sourced  is life verily in food

Lie in sacrifice latter’s roots,

Deeds selfless well prompt sacrifice

And born to duty are deeds selfless

Chapter 4.13       

chaaturvarnyam mayaa srushtaam*

Going by natures well I ordained

Birth beings attain that suit them

Environs in such which govern life,        

Nonetheless know none doth I tend.

Chap 5.18

    vidya vinaya sampanne

    Weak or mighty

    Noble or naughty

    Treats all equal

    One well learned.

 

The Gita no doubt is a treatise on self-help and action without expecting recompense with total detachment, disinterest, if you will.  There have been elements coming up regarding unintended discrimination, which this work hopes to put in the right perspective.  Thus, the author hopes would make the work accessible to all those under an unfounded awe.

-Dr. V.V.B. Rama Rao

 

“Culture Capsules – Art of Living” by Sri I.V. Chalapati Rao; Sri Yabaluri Raghavaiah Memorial Trust, Hyderabad; (second edition) 2002, Rs.60/-, Rs.150/- (deluxe edition). 

 

The cover page is a pictoral or photographic representation of the author growing from a youth into an octogenarian.  Incidentally it also symbolizes the three sections of the book.The  book contains three          sections –

       First Section                         – Culture capsules

               Second Section                     – Art of living

               Third Section                         – Twilight years

 

There seems to be a progression from youth to middle age, middle to old age.  This book is not meant for lighter reading, it needs to be reflected upon and slowly internalised.  The word ‘Capsules’ is appropriate as knowledge has been administered in small doses, huge doses being unpalatable and undigestable.  India’s cultural heritage is too profound to be squeezed into a section of 78 pages, however the author has put to use his scholastic discretion to choose what he thinks is useful for his readers.  The author’s sincere attempt to reach out to readers of all ages is commendable.

 

The first section introduces the reader to the glorious heritage of our country.  India is hailed as the land of Vedas, Smruthis, diverse religious, great epics and so on.  The author quotes excessively from all Indian sources of knowledge, great writers of international repute and religious scriptures.  There is no doubt in the mind of the reader that the author is a repository of immense wisdom.  It is our positive attitude to life and more so to death that distinguishes the Indians from people of the other countries around the world.  In this book, the author has not merely glorified India’s past, but inspired the people of this country to look back in pride. The book has been published at a time when India is torn between the Western concept of development and its own spiritual heritage.  The author strikes an intelligent balance between the two.  His preaching of love of mankind has come at a time when the selfishness of mankind has reached its crescendo.  While terrorism, egoism, communalism and religious fanaticism are leading mankind towards a great self-induced ‘pralaya’, here is a man, who as a ‘Stithapragnya’ sincerely desires a change in our attitude to things around us.

 

The second section titled ‘The art of living’ deals with tips on practical living.  The themes include wild-life preservation, environment, human life, the intelligentia, the importance of exercise, work ethics, human relations, thrift and so on.  This section encourages man to see how material gains like wealth and fame are but ephemeral.  Our true worth lies in happiness, health, friendship and creativity.  Being a teacher himself, the author observes that teaching is worship.  This section strives to bring about an attitudinal change in human beings in all spheres of life.

 

The third section “Twilight years” focuses exclusively on old age problems and their efficient management.  The author describes ageing as a physical process, which does not affect one’s mental ability.  Examples are given to illustrate that a person even in his old age can attain immortality through his achievements.  The author’s publication of this book in his 79th year is in itself an illustration of how mind wins over the body.

 

This is a book that needs to be read by one and all not only in India but throughout the world.  After all problems are universal.  This author has indeed done a commendable job but frequent repetitions of some quotations could have been avoided.  In his last section he could have suggested some practical solutions to retirees in terms of finance management for after all it is then that a person’s expenditure exceeds income especially for the lower and middle class people.  A word could also be put in about the help and facilities available to senior citizens.  Ultimately one can declare the book as a panacea for a majority of our problems today.  Let’s read the book with optimism.

                    -  S. B. Tara, Karnataka

 

TELUGU

 

CHITRA RANGA (VI) CHITRALU: Dr. K R K Mohan; Srimukha Publications, 101, Kandhi Residency, 11 – 19, P & T Colony, Dilsukhnagar, Hyderabad.

 

Dr. KRK Mohan is a highly ranked, truly versatile, and well-accomplished writer of the recent times. He is a prominent film-story writer and film critic as well.  His latest book CHITRA RANGA (VI) CHITRALU, based on his excellent rapport with the film industry, briefly presents his authentic survey of the ‘inside’ facts of the Telugu and Hindi film fields…now popularly known as ‘Tollywood’ and ‘Bollywood’ respectively, over the past three quarters of a century.  Glamour is artificially built into cinema, at enormous costs, for reason of commercial viability through mass appeal.  Viewed on the silver screen, this is in turn results in tremendous curiosity, as regards the ‘real’ lives of the movie artists and the intricate ‘realities’ of movie making, film distribution, and the box office.  This book provides lot of information which is not easily available. CHITRA RANGA (VI) CHITRALU, with its great clarity and easy-to-read style, successfully caters to the curiosity and suspense of movie lovers, interesting about  the glamour world.  Dr. KRK Mohan deserves compliments for his enormous effort in this direction.  This book will undoubtedly prove to be a favourite reading for many.

       -Kambhampati Krishna Prasad

 

O UDAYAM: (Long Poem): Dr. Vasa Prabhavati; Vasa Prachuranalu, Municipal Colony, Malakpet, Hyderabad, 500 036; pp 55; Rs.60/-.

 

Dawn (Udayam) represents brightness, warmth, activeness and speed.  All these qualities are present in the women dealt with  in this book.  Dr. Vasa Prabhavati, the well known writer, has conveniently made dawn (Udayam) to symbolise her optimism and progressive thinking. Intense observation of the nature and analysing the Life’s truths are evident in each of the poems included in this compilation.  This book reveals the writer as a humanist  interested in social justice and her sympathy for the weak and down trodden.  The progressive in her, welcomes the new society that is taking shape while denouncing the artificiality of the modern life.  She loves the real life – its water tanks, gardens, birds, temples and their gopurams, - which are her objects of poetry.  She is a feminist aiming at a society of equality among sexes.

 

Dr. Prabhavati’s poetry keeps away from ornamental and verbal pomposity and ends each of the pieces with an eternal truth and takes the reader along with her to the heights of imagination and ecstasy. The pictures project the thought very appropriately too.

                      - Dr. M. Padmini Devi

 

 

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