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 in the 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 back 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, backgrounds 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 Mandalas
of 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 Vasa does
not stand for a barren cow as the author takes it to mean and that maamsa need 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 background 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 Om is 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 to the 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 setback and 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