Literature

Literature Jan 24, 2022

Aśvaghoṣa, Śūdraka

Aśvaghoṣa clearly states that his work is principally a scripture. It is structured as a poem, yes, but that is only a veneer, a convenient pretence. Neverthele...

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh | Trans: Shashi Kiran B N

Literature Jan 21, 2022

Critical Appreciation of Prahasanas - Part 11

While Parivrājaka seems to be miffed, he is also compassionate enough to reconcile that Śāṇḍilya being in this ephemeral world is bound to be behave that way! T...

Raghavendra G S

Literature Jan 20, 2022

Kathāmṛta - 74 - Śaktiyaśo-lambaka - The Story of Yaśodhara and Lakṣmīdhara and the Story of the Fools

  A fool went to a lake to drink water; he saw the reflection of a bird called svarṇa-cūḍa and thought that there was gold fallen in the waters. He jumped...

A R Krishna Sastri

Literature Jan 17, 2022

Vyāsa, Aśvaghoṣa

Modern literary theory usually insists that a poet should not come in the way of the natural development of events and characters. If he gets personally involve...

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh | Trans: Shashi Kiran B N

Literature Jan 12, 2022

Critical Appreciation of Prahasanas - Part 10

Though instantly smitten, Śāṇḍilya realises he needs to be rich once he comes to know that she is a courtesan! Meanwhile the Yamapuruṣa, invisible to everyone,...

Raghavendra G S

Literature Jan 06, 2022

Kathāmṛta - 72 - Śaktiyaśo-lambaka - Stories of the Fools (Continues)

  There lived a man who had a beautiful wife; fearing that she might have an affair, he monitored her at all times. Once, he had to travel to another plac...

A R Krishna Sastri

Literature Jan 05, 2022

Critical Appreciation of Prahasanas - Part 9

We move on to the next prahasana, Bhagavad-ajjukam. Bhagavad-ajjukam Bhagavad-ajjukam as mentioned before is a śuddha-prahasana, like Mattavilāsa is one among...

Raghavendra G S

Literature Jan 03, 2022

Bhagavān Vyāsa - 4

               At the outset of the Mahābhārata Vyāsa outlines its literary qualities that...

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh | Trans: Shashi Kiran B N

Literature Dec 30, 2021

Kathāmṛta - 71 - Śaktiyaśo-lambaka - Stories of the Fools

Narrating this story to Sañjīvaka, Damanaka said: ‘Thus a wise man remains steadfast when danger approaches. Now, this is what you must do. When Piṅgalaka rises...

A R Krishna Sastri

Literature Dec 23, 2021

Kathāmṛta - 70 - Śaktiyaśo-lambaka - Stories of the Clever Hare, Stupid Tortoise and others

The Story of Śūryavarmā There lived a royal servant called Śūryavarmā. Once, when he came home, found that his wife was in the company of his friend. He withhe...

A R Krishna Sastri

Literature Dec 22, 2021

Critical Appreciation of Prahasanas - Part 8

Unmattaka is redirected to give the bowl to someone worthy. While this brings in the lofty principle of charity which says to give anything only to a worthy per...

Raghavendra G S

Literature Dec 20, 2021

Bhagavān Vyāsa - 3

In the next verse Vyāsa describes a defining trait of great poets. He intends this as a lodestar of sorts of his work: इतिहासप्रदीपेन मोहावरणघातिना। लोकगर...

Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh | Trans: Shashi Kiran B N