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Many Worlds Revisited (An Autobiography): By K. P. S. Menon. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Munshi Marg, Bombay-7. Price: Rs. 40.

This is an earlier publication revised with additional three chapters and annexures containing some of the addresses delivered by the author. In about 400 pages the life-story of K. P. S. Menon is told by him with an amount of unflagging spirit in the narration. Born a Keralite in Kottayam, his school education and later collegiate course in Madras led him to complete for the Exam of Indian Civil Service in which becoming successful he started service under the British regime in Trichinopoly. From the beginning of his official career, he sustained an eventful period of traversing many parts of India and abroad, in various capacities as administrator, ambassador, envoy, diplomat, chairman of delegation, etc., which also coincided with his service in the post-Independence India. After leaving his connection with the Government, he had been called to act in several positions because of his well-trained and mature experience as an administrator for long. On the whole he is one of the few really reputable officers whose many-sided achievement could stand the passage of time.

More than his official services, he is known for his writings which abound to a dozen volumes bearing his views upon men and events of great consequence. As a matter of fact, he seems to have delighted by the frequent transfers from one corner of the globe to the other almost, in answering the call of duty. His pen was ever active, during his stays in countries such as Western Frontiers of India, USSR, China, Japan, Korea, Sri Lanka, U. S., describing his contacts with people of every shade and colour. Not to speak of his powers of describing natural scenes, his capacity to assess situations while serving as a diplomat, his sense of humour and wisdom while narrating high class individuals who had shaped the history of recent times not only in India but in Russia, China, United States, he has earned also the reward of enduring friendships from many great and common individuals which have enhanced his reminiscent moods towards recording them with satisfaction. We get also a picture of his domestic felicities in between his other portraits of the men and women he came across. A certain amount of frankness combined with an unconcealed pride in his achievements mark his clear, sustained and even style of expression.

Few persons in official life as he has done, could have made notes of important events as well as dwelt with permeating poise in all that they had gleaned of life and surroundings. To have trekked across the Himalayan heights from India to China, is itself not an ordinary event and justifiably he has written about it in a separate volume already.

It is a book to read without losing the joy of reading, as there are no pages without drawing us to their contents, at once alive with picturesqueness and absorbing critical appreciation of whatever he had beheld.

鈥� K. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Kalidasa: By Masti Venkatesa Aiyengar. Jeevana Karyalaya, Bangalore-18. Price: Rs. 12.

This is a play of seven acts, originally written in Kannada and now rendered in English. The incidents in the old story of Kalidasa, the poet as born a shepherd and his marrying a princess and the later revelation of his being a non-entity with no knowledge of letters, and his turning out a worshipper of the muse by the boon of the Goddess Kali are well-known. Here the playwright has made the poet a prince by birth but with an early talent for poetic employment of his mind. His marriage with a princess of another kingdom, which formerly was antagonistic to his own, but by methods of reconciliation brought about by the preceptor, the wedding takes place between Kalidasa and the sister of the erstwhile enemy kingdom. Later we have scenes here of his misunderstanding with his wife owing to a trick played upon him unintentionally, his leaving the wife and roaming about the country in disguise, his pursuit of his great art of poetry, his meeting with the Emperor of Ujjain, the royal patronage bestowed on him, his first book of Ritusamharaand the great ovations received by him, the jealousy of the rival poets of the king鈥檚 court, his displeasure in imagining partiality of the ruler, his retirement in the shrine of Mahakala and the finale when the preceptor of his kingdom identifies him and a reconciliation is brought about between him and his abandoned princess.

The plot is somewhat not well-knit leaving more spaces for guesses, and the drama, though conceived well, suffers a bit by complexity of the situations. The attempt to create the necessary atmosphere for a poet of Kalidasa鈥檚 greatness in his art cannot be said to have been adequately achieved here. But without assessing the play in its original Kannada, one will be unjustified if he feels not fully satisfied in parts with the skill as a dramatist in Masti.

鈥揔. CHANDRASEKHARAN

鈥淭he Hindu鈥� Speaks: Compiled by the Editor. Inter-Press 12 A Kailas Peddar Road, Cumbata Hm, Bombay-6. Price Rs. 75.

A hundred years is no small period in the life of a newspaper or any other public institution. The Hindu of Madras had completed its first century with rare distinction in 1978 and started its second on a vigorous note of technical advancement and professional resourcefulness. Though a family proprietary concern in terms of ownership, it has over the years, evolved itself into a national newspaper and is justly regarded as a public trust. Imbibing the spirit of liberalism, in trying to see all sides of a problem, it has come to be respected as the voice of reason, reinforced by courage, of patriotism tempered with discretion, and of tradition blended with enlightenment.

Luckily for the newspaper, the encouragement from the public was whole-hearted and co-operation was unstinted, the response exceeding all expectations, to the result that The Hindu soon became not only South India鈥檚 premier English newspaper, but one of India鈥檚 most notable of national dailies. It came to be known not only forcomprehensive and reliable coverage of news, but the measured expression of balanced and well-considered views.

The paper has always stood firmly by great ideals, as evidenced by this volume of editorials from 鈥�The Hindu鈥�.聽 And not even its severest critics could accuse it of being hasty. Ill-informed, partisan or prejudiced. Broadly on the side of political freedom and the party that fought forit, The Hindu, in its later years of prosperity and expansion, kept itself on the right side of the Law. Its reputation for taking a bold stand on crucial issues was built up mainly during the era before independence.

Though the leading article is a collective expression of the policy of the paper, it is well-known that editorials are not normally written by a board of editors. It is also known to regular and discriminating readers that an editorial oftentimes reflects the personality of the writer. The Hindu has been lucky in having some of the best-equipped and level-headed journalists on its writing staff. In the early period, it had G. Subramania Iyer, a staunch nationalist and social reformer, who minced no words. Kasturiranga Iyengar, who took over the paper in 1905 and was in control till his death in 1923, was a patriot of the Tilak school of thought, who believed that strong views gained little from hard words. He was ably assisted by his two nephews, S. Rangaswami and A. Rangaswami Iyengar, who succeeded him in the editorial chair one after the other. During the best part of his son, Kasturi Srinivasan鈥漵 stewardship (1934-59), the Chief Leader-writer was Mr. N. Raghunathan, who could be described as a scholar among journalists. For nearly two decades after that, Mr. K. Balaraman鈥檚 expert hand could be seen on the editorial page.

Though the paper had, for sometime, acquired the reputation of being cautious to the extent of playing safe, it was seldom found wanting in courage in times of crisis. Describing the Simon Com颅mission as 鈥渁 monumental farce鈥� (1927), the powerful editorial said, 鈥渋n the name of the glorious India of the future鈥�, implored all Indians, 鈥渋rrespective of caste, creed, community, or party, to rally to the cause of the Congress, which is the cause of the country.鈥� No punches are pulled in 鈥楾he Great Betrayal鈥� (1917), an exposure of the Indian liberals, or the two editorials on the Punjab (1919 and 1920). The paper also denounced the arrest of Gandhi and other Congress leaders in 1942, in no uncertain terms, as 鈥渁 colossal blunder.鈥�

Indian politics, understandably, dominate the collection of over a hundred editorials presented here. But the other subjects, like literature, Indian culture, education, social reform and cricket, have not gone unrepresented. R. C. Dutt鈥檚 鈥楻补尘补测补苍补鈥� translation draws a critical appreciation in 1900, while the abolition of the distinction between 鈥済entlemen-amateurs鈥� and 鈥減rofessional players鈥� is heartily welcomed in 1963 (鈥淐ricketers all鈥�).

There are not, however, enough of the humorous, personal essay type of editorials, for which The Hindu used to be famous a generation ago. Enough Third Leaders from The Hindu could easily be culled from the old files to fill at least one sizable volume that would be welcome to habitual readers of the Hindu, as to all lovers of good writing.

鈥揇r. D. ANJANEYULU

The Poems of Subramania Bharati: Dr. Prema Nandakumar. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi. Price: Rs. 25.

Thoroughly soaked in Tamil literature and culture Dr. Prema Nandakumar introduces to the people at large the poetry of Subramania Bharati through a tasteful rendering of some sixty select pieces of his writings into English. Songs and lyrics, plays and poems, essays and translations鈥搕hey are fairly representative of his genius. A few original writings of Bharati, in English too, have been included to make the picture complete. Then she published a much smaller volume in 1958 which is the basis for the present enlarged volume, C. Rajagopalachari acclaimed it as the most beautiful and flawless translation. The exhaustive, scholarly introduction she provides for the text touches almost every aspect of Bharati鈥檚 life and literature. From these pages of introduction and translations, a literary colossus emerges and fills us with a sense of admiration. A poet, prophet, philosopher, journalist, creator of new literature in Tamil and above all, a man of vision. Subramania Bharati seems to bestride the narrow world. Rarely do we come across such talented translations which strike us as original creations. It is indeed, a great gift from the UNESCO to the world abroad.

Consider how freely her verses run:

You weak-shouldered mannikins, away, away
you with shrunken heart, away, away
You of the listless face, away, away
you with lack-lustre eyes, away, away (Phoenix)

Here is an example for her narrative style:

In Anandapur lived
Guru Govind Singh
nectar of the brave
teacher, Lord of Hosts
Warrior source of Punjab鈥檚 lions
ocean of knowledge, melodious poet
magic craftsman whose sword
could stay the failing heavens
princely saviour of the world
(Gurugovinda Singh)

Here is exhortation
No more terrors of caste:
the world thrives on love
Let鈥檚 help one another, and
raise the commonwealth
The Lord who sustains all
gave knowledge to women
Yet some intruding fools
messed up everything
(Sound and tocsin)

The value of the book is doubled by the notes and reading list provided at the end. The notes are relevant and copious. They go a long way in sharpening the appreciation of a foreign student.
鈥揇r. G. SRIRAMA MURTY

Leaves from a Log (Poems): By Prof. K. R. Srinivasa Iyengar. Arnold-Heinemann, AB/9 Safdarjang Enclave, New Delhi. 28. Price: Rs. 35.

This book of poems has been called disarmingly and non-committally, 鈥淟eaves from a Log.鈥� It is true to its name in that it consists of observations and reflections of the poet during his travel and assignments in various countries including England, and inevitably India. But it is larger and nobler than its name would indicate, being a criticism of life, giving a perspective on the national and planetary predicaments, and a climb to a view of human destiny. Behind all these we see the traveller, the calm philosophic mind, the poet being led onward by the shade of Sri Aurobindo. This fact leads to the unity of the book in spite of the diversity of the themes and situation that it deals with.

We see the man behind the book鈥搊ne abreast of the learning and culture of the day, and soaked in the heritage of the past. He is aware of the Mermaid in London, the scholar-gipsy in Oxford, Arthur and Merlin in Stonehenge. He has the great speech of Shakespeare and Milton echoing through his mind. His sympathy awakes for the twice-rejected Devayani. He sounds Messalina and Circe. A spectator of mankind, he watches Kundalini-mongers, owlologist Gurus, specialist-chams and viperine politicians. He is aware of frying Freudian cerebral pans and the orbiting satellite鈥檚 messages. He anatomizes dictatorship, compounded of the tyrant鈥檚 ambition and the courtiers鈥� servility, upstart nothings looming as Avatars of infallibility, father-figures and their inheritors. His saddened view extends to the chaos of unreal cities, and the blind hurly-burly of international intercourse.
In the last poem (No. 100), carrying the end of his earthly travels forward symbolically, he bids us farewell in the last lines:

Goodbye, my comrades, let me make a move
and forward to the Unknown!

Finally, in the end-piece (No. 101), as if passing on to us a just remembered matter for our assurance, he says:
There are signs that the hour is imminent
when the cosmic egg will crack
There鈥檚 the sharp pulse of recrudescent pain
presaging the last breakthrough.

Somerset Maugham, in his Books and You, relates Edmund Gosse telling him that he (Gosse) would much rather read a volume of minor verse than an average novel, since it took less time and required no mental effort. In my present position, with the straitened resources of my time and attention, I would prefer to read verse or poetry to a novel or even a short story, since I would like to enjoy or forget every minute of the limited broken periods of time that I can give to reading, and to have, as nearly as possible, every word of the reading savourable. To lovers of poetry, of my brand, this book will be welcome.

鈥揚URASU BALAKRISHNAN

Addresses, Etc: By Masti Venkatesa Aiyengar. Jeevana Karyalaya, Bangalore-18. Price: Rs. 8.

This is a booklet running into about eighty-three pages, but with contents which could satisfy any mature mind inclined to reflect upon our culture, language, society and politics. Seven lectures of the author are given, each worth its reception for the edification of the mental and moral capabilities of the reader. 鈥淭he Writer and the Common Man鈥�, 鈥淭he Crisis in Civilization鈥�, 鈥淟inguistic Studies鈥�, 鈥淢ysticism in the Bhagavadgita鈥�, 鈥淒. V. Gundappa鈥�, 鈥淐rowns and Rulers鈥� and the 鈥淒isintegration of the Janata Party鈥� are one by one succeeding the other in preparing us for a balanced outlook, clear expression, genuine feelings and sober conclusions reached often with an amount of experience of life and the present day vast changes in values, give us much food for thought and forcibly drawing us to agree with him.

The chapters on the 鈥淐risis in Civilization鈥� and 鈥淒. V. Gundappa鈥� preserve for us the intimations of a true lover of the good and the great in human affairs.

The entire tiny volume can be read for the sheer pleasure of the way Masti expresses himself with ease and narrative smoothness.
鈥揔. CHANDRASEKHARAN

Biblical Teachings in the Light of Vedic Religion and Philosophy: By N. S. V. R. Gurumurty. Swatantra Printers, Bhimavaram.534201. A. P. Price: Rs. 5.

A very instructive study in the parallels between the Biblical and the Vedic traditions. Writes the author: 鈥淏oth are based on the rational foundation of spirituality. Vedic philosophy and the Christian Gospel extol the virtue of self-abnegation rather than self-aggrandisement as a prelude to peace and blessedness both here and hereafter鈥搕hey admit the power of divine grace in counteract颅ing the evil effects of sin.鈥�

He cites passages from the Gospels and from the Vedas, Upanishads, Gita and Puranas, themewise: Genesis鈥揟he uniqueness of Man; The Righteous one conquers Death; Two Commandaments, (Love God, Love All); Celibacy; Worldly Possession鈥揳 Myth; Worldly Wisdom鈥揻utile; Self-effort鈥揑ncompatible with Grace; Eternal Vigilance Indispensable; Miracles and Spirituality; That Thou Art鈥揳n Explanation.

He does not accept鈥揳nd rightly鈥搕he notion of original sin. He points out, on scriptural authority, that all sin is a product of desire which again is a product of Ignorance. Nobody is weighed down by a sin for which he is not responsible.

There is only one point on which the writer could perhaps rethink. When he says that self-effort is not compatible with the Divine Grace, in practice that leads to a certain inertia and lack of effort. Effort has got to be there, only no self-will, egoism. The saying 鈥淕od helps those who help themselves鈥� is a profound truth. Human effort becomes an instrument for the workings of the Grace. Effort and Grace are in fact two ends of the same process.

鈥揗. P. PANDIT

The Gospel of Zarathushtra: By Duncan Greenlees. Theosophical Publishing House, Madras-20. Price: Rs. 15.

An issue of the World Gospel Series by the author, this treatise is an adequate and readable presentation of the Philosophy聽 of Mazdayasnism, the Religion of the Parsis and their ancestors in Iran. After a comprehensive introduction, tracing the historical development of the movement and the mission of Zarathushtra, the author studies the teaching under these main heads: God and His Creation, The Powers of Heaven, The Prophet and the Path, Death and Beyond, End of the Age, The Sacred Word, Illumination, The Holy Spirit, The Good Kingdom, The Best Desire. The hymns selected and annotated upon are representative and give the reader a satisfying account of this ancient religion.

In the words of the author: 鈥淕od, the infinite source of all good, made this Universe all good and fair, but into it an evil spirit of pride and jealousy brought sin and pain. God created Man to work and fight as His colleague in the age-long war to overcome this evil and to set up the Kingdom of Righteousness on earth. Man鈥檚 duty here is to make his final choice for good, to dedicate himself and all he is and has and does to God, to fight against all evil, darkness, ignorance and suffering, and help the world to its perfection. A kindly courtesy to bill fellows, protective care to the weak, ceaseless resistance to sin, reverent regard for the sacredness of God鈥檚 creation and loving devotion to the all-perfect Lord鈥搕his is the path he is to tread.鈥�

A most helpful feature of the book is the brief Zarathushtrian Catechism prepared by the author. The Theosophical Society is to be thanked for making this series available for comparative studies in the Religions of the World.

鈥揗. P. PANDIT

The Origin of Brahmi Script: Editors, S. P. Gupta and K. S. Rama颅chandran. D. K. Publishers鈥� Distributors, 1, Ansari Road, Darya颅ganj, New Delhi-2. Price: Rs. 50.

Rigvedic seer posed a question 鈥�Kuthil iyam visrishtih?鈥� 鈥� wherefrom is this creation? Modern archaeologists are now exploring into the origin and growth of Brahmi script, a study of which is as fascinating, if not more, as the origin of creation. This monograph surveys the whole gamut of the findings of eminent research scholars and archaeologists on the origin of the Brahmi script and provides rich fare for thought. There are two key papers, one by Dr. S. R. Gopal of the Jodhpur University, and the other by Sri K. V. Soundararajan of the Archaeological Survey of India. Both chime in with the theory of its indigenous origin, but contend as to the time and mode of its evolution. Dr Gopal contends that Brahmi was invented by the Maurya rulers in the first half of the third century B. C., most probably during the reign of Asoka.

He also surveys the current theories and points out the draw颅therein. Dr. Soundararajan maintains that the Brahmi was not an 鈥渋nstant miracle鈥� but it underwent an independent process of evolution. Asokan Brahmi, unlike the Indus script, Is simple and has the fundamental aspects of alphabetical notations. The Brahmi letters are made up of parts of geometrical figures like the square, circle, cross, etc., and hence it could not have been derived from any pre-existing script, Indian or foreign. Brahmi script, according to him, was there even before Asoka and was amenable to evolution if not in its essential script at least in its grammatical structure. There are references to writing in the days of Panini (9th or 10th century B. C). From the times of the Indus civilization to the end of the Vedic period the only script used was the Indus script.

Comments of eminent epigraphists, historians and archaeologists on these two key papers are also recorded herein. Sri K. G. Krishnan does not spell out any theory definitely but concludes that there was no writing in Pre-Asokan times. He rejects the theory of geometrical origin. Semitic affiliation of some of the forms, he opines, is only 鈥減artial in its coverage.鈥� Prof. Lallanji Gopal believes that the Brahmi was created in Buddhist circles at about 400 B. C. Prof. Sankaranarayanan is of the opinion that the Indus script should be II deemed as the logical projenitor of the Brahmi.鈥� Prof. Ajay Mitra Sastry asserts that 鈥淎soka did not invent the Brahmi script, but he merely employed for bit records such of the scripts as were already in existence.鈥� To M. C. Joshi and K. S. Ramachandran who reviewed all these views in their 鈥淩etrospect鈥�, Dr Soundararajan鈥檚 theory appears to be more convincing. S. P. Gupta who in his critical introduction summarised the extant theories of foreign origin and indigenous origin concludes that the Brahmi script was an invention of Asoka.

One has only to study this monograph, enjoy it and appreciate the profundity of scholarship and spirit of inquiry that have gone into the preparation of this, which is of immense use both to the students and scholars alike of archaeology and Indian history and culture.
鈥�B. KUTUMBA RAO

The Last of the Maharajas: By Saros Cowasjee. Price: Rs. 20. The Stencil and other Stories: By L. N. Gupta. Price: Rs. 20.
The Yankee and the Yogi-Stories: By B. G. Sidharth. Price: Rs. 15. All the three books are published by the Writers鈥� Workshop, Ca1cutta.45.

鈥淭he Last of the Maharajas鈥� is a screen play based on the novel of the well-known writer Mulk Raj Anand, called Private Life of an Indian Prince. The plot is not a complex one, nor the incidents brought in are anywhere near gripping orsuspense-sustaining. It is the usual life ofan Indian Maharajah who has wasted a life which normally could have helped his State tothrive with his subjects growing happy under a properly administered condition. On the other hand, on the eve of Sardar Patel鈥檚 great drive to bring in all Native States into the Indian Union, the peoples鈥� party within the State becomes loud of its claim for freedom from the bad reign of the ruler and the events foretell the quick move towards the accomplishment of the accession treaty getting signed by the ruler under almost the command of Sardar Patel. In between there are the todyism of some close hangers-on of the prince as also the debauchery and unprincipled behaviour of the prince in the company of women and the lure of wine. The dialogues which are employed for the purpose of the screen do not lack interest and the shifting scenes provide enough mirth to the cinema-goers. On the whole, the screen version does not lack sufficient tempo, verve and movement for keeping the picture-fans free of moments of dullness. The ending is somewhat tame with the prince losing his mental health with no real tragedy showing it all as the outcome of keen disappointment in his pursuit of pleasures. It is more a picture of the way the Indian Native States failed essentially in their duties to their subjects, which justified the decision of the 鈥淚ron Man鈥� to round them up unceremoniously and deliver them from an ancient feudal concept of kingship.

Unlike some of the modern story-writers, L. N. Gupta has tried to introduce in his stories such stuff as would easily draw us to appreciate at once the main purport of the story. Further he is nowhere defeating our attempt to distinguish the incidents from reflections which often appear as intriguing as even a mystery thriller鈥檚 contents. Fortunately the author of these fourteen stories has in every one of them a theme and a normal ending that adds to our clear grasp of the central thought.

There is a sense of satisfying the reader with touches of realism and also with a creative imagination for naturalness. Apart from making the theme quite a common happening of our sophisticated members of a society which has slowly deviated from its old moorings of values, there is a rapid shifting of interests as obviously moving our half-educated progressivists. How I Became a Minister is certainly an exact depiction of what is happen颅ing in our political scene. Again A Private Sunday is so enjoyable because of the strange way in which expectations get thwarted for our little pleasures in life. One can mention more such pieces to engage our attention. But suffice to say general approbation will welcome this publication.

But before parting one would like to add that Indian con颅ceptions of womanhood are made to appear losing their original charm and restraint in the wake of a permissive age that, draws more and more of foreign influences. Sex is conveniently depended upon for bringing in matter to sustain the interest, forgett颅ing that it is not always sex which is all the time one鈥檚 life-problem.

If stories have to be bright with both fresh technique and matter you can derive satisfaction by reading this collection of ten short stories by B. G. Sidharth. Everyone of this bunch tries to draw out our irrepressible curiosity to understand the motif behind so much of a realistic picture of modern life. The Yogi and the Yankee has its merit of instilling in us how much craze there is now in American youth to find out from Indian spiritual exercises of meditation and Yoga the escape they hanker after from a constant hectic pursuit of excitement. 鈥淕anganna鈥檚 genius鈥� provokes laughter at the unbaffled mind in contriving methods of defeating the unusual situation of more hunger and less food.

One cannot be too sure that all of these stories equally could engage the reader鈥檚 complete interest and understanding. For instance, the last of the pieces with a title which itself is so unpronouncible, Visvamitra鈥檚 Dupizrcoconzbytocodor, baffles our attempts to first follow the various points of scientific involvements. One thing is clear that perhaps if understood the whole piece may prove how in the wake of a nuclear age with the advances made in science, especially in applied science, we may ultimately reach the safe heaven of an upside down existence as that of the mythological Trisankuin the mid-air. Well, the author may have to assist the reader in unravelling his purpose in weaving such a story with so much scientific jargon.
鈥撯赌沦础贬搁滨顿础驰础鈥�

Some Aspects of Hindu Culture (ancient and modern): By Prof. V. K. Gokak. I. H. Prakashana, Gandhi Nagar, Bangalore-9. Price: Rs. 10.

This book is a collection of four essays written by Prof. V. K. Gokak, a renowned poet, scholar, critic and creative thinker. The first essay entitled 鈥淭he Quintessence of Hinduism鈥� is a review of a book named 鈥淗induism鈥� written by N. C. Chaudhuri, who according to Prof. Gokak, 鈥渁dopts the assumptions of Western theology as his norms and looks at Hinduism upside-down鈥� and presents a perverted view of Hinduism therein in a most sacrilegious manner. Prof. Gokak counters with authority and cogency the fallacious arguments, theories and statements advanced and present颅ed by Chaudhury, who unabashedly posited the theories鈥� that, there was Christian influence on the Gita, that the monotheistic personal God that the Hindu worships is a Hindu form of Christian and Islamic God.

The second essay, a glowing tribute to Swami Vivekananda, describes the aims, achievements and the inspiring messages of the Swami in his own words. The third essay is a critical analysis and estimate of the sixty-four arts described by Vatsayana in his 鈥�Kama Sutras.鈥� The fourth essay entitled 鈥淎lienation鈥� is thought-provoking and scholarly. The author concludes this essay with the remarks 鈥淯nless science is supplemented by spirituality聽 one way or the other, it would be practically impossible for man toget over the impasse that faces him in the modern world.鈥� This is a book that is to be studied by all who desire to understand some aspects of Hindu culture.
鈥揃. KUTUMBA RAO

Choma鈥檚 Drum: By K. Shivaram Karanth. Hind Pocket Books, G. T. Road, Delhi-32. Price: Rs. 6.

This is a novelette. But the theme is not a fresh one, as it is the story of an untouchable鈥檚 strange, miserable lot in not being able to fulfil his ambition to become a farmer in his own right toown a land and be its master with his ploughshare. Belonging to the caste of Holeyas(untouchables) and having been a bonded labourer to his landlord in the village, his life which started in contentment slowly was drawn to the single ambition to attain the status of a farmer, tilling the land with the two oxen got by him for no price. The tragedy begins with the evil of the drink habit in him but an innocent joy he received in playing on his drum always with vigour in such a manner that the entire village would be made aware of his spirits and bonhomie with the rest of the world.

Rearing up his four sons and a daughter, Belli by name, he was not much worried by his household chores, as everything was looked after by his understanding daughter. The trouble starts when an old debt of his had to be repaid and his obstinate refusal to sell his oxen for a price to meet the insistent demand for its payment by the planter. In order to pay off the debt he sends his elder sons to the plantation, where they both fall victims to the fell drinking habit, only to return one of them almost a totally wrecked person and the other running away with a Christian-convert girl and himself also embracing Christianity through conversion, which provides him a status unlike ofhis old caste which denied him many of life鈥檚 privileges enjoyed by the higher castes. The death of two sons and the entanglement of the only daughter in a sexy relationship with the Supervisor of the plantation鈥揳ll drive the father mad. He meets with his end with a feeling of loneliness and quiet saddened wasting away.

No doubt the story is written to wring the reader鈥檚 heart to pitying the lot of the untouchables. The picture looks unrelieved by any ray of hope forthem. Maybe the story was originally written during the early days of the Mahatma鈥檚 mission to reclaim the untouchables by the Hindu community.

The author who has won the biggest of awards (Jnan Pith Award) recently, had shown earlier his capacity to engage minds with a purposeful objective in this long story.

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I Know of a Country and Other Poems: By N. N. Satchitanand, 90, 4th Main Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore-3. Price: Rs. 5.

Mr. N. N. Satchitanand鈥檚 poetry is happily free from one feature that has become a 鈥渂ane of modern poetry: obscurity.鈥� He is endowed with descriptive powers that captivate the readers鈥� attention. 鈥淣ot the she I knew鈥�, 鈥淭he Coffee House鈥�, 鈥淭he Horizon鈥� are delightful descriptions of commonplace sights and experiences. Mr. Satchitanand鈥檚 imagination flows into bright images and vivid pictures. But his social awareness introduces an element of bitterness into his poetry. His anger and dissatisfaction are expressed in a direct way. His heart is moved by the plights of the poor Harijans and the downtrodden in general. But the very directness ofexpression sometimes makes his sorrow felt not so intensely by his readers, as he expects.

鈥揇r. C. N. SASTRI

An Offering to Ramanaachala: By Alone Udonath. Vanita Publications, 121, Shukrawarpeth, Poona-2.

The book under review contains the author鈥檚 philosophic musings on the teachings of Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi and Sri J. Krishnamurti. The author emphasises the unity of the ideas and methods adopted by the saint and the philosopher. The author is a non-dualist whose approach is through Vichara by which the seeker discriminates the Self from whatever appears to be the not-self. Non-resistance to all the thoughts visiting the mind is an important suggestion given by the author. Thoughts come and go, and the mind also goes, and the Silence of the Self remains.

This book is an attempt to express truth in an unconventional way. If the saints really believe that the Silence of the Self cannot be expressed in language they must honestly refrain from using language; or they must realize that language itself is 鈥淰ak-Bhrahman鈥� and therefore is a divine system of sounds capable of expressing the divine toa certain extent鈥揳t least to the extent that the Relative can express the Absolute. But using language in a slipshod way and justifying this on the grounds that Truth defies all expression is not justifiable.

The book contains some valuable observations but the broken sentences convey the ideas hazily.

鈥� Dr. C. N. SASTRI

Trying to be in tune with Krishnamurti 鈥� Parts I and II: By Alone Udonath. Vanita Publications, 121, Shukrawarpeth, Pune-2. Price: Rs. 6.

In Space- Time continuum a perpetual motion is observed culminating in an end both on physical and mental planes and it is common knowledge that the phenomenal world is perishable and the noumenon alone survives and is eternal and immanent. The Individual consciousness is a projection of that transcendent soul which neither can be visualised nor verbalised and realisation of this fundamental truth is an intuitive and noetic experience as well. Such an awakening comes of divine grace though self-control and performance of religious rituals create conditions that eventuate in that blissful state that the author Alone Udonath terms the sense of otherness or of oneness. But despite the guidelines laid down by ancient seers the way the inclosed self identifies itself with Cosmos is purely personal and intimate and it is not to be xeroxed as if for circulation. Man is not a perfect machine as Benjamin Franklin viewed, nor is his soul Wait Whitman鈥檚 homeless wayfarer down the open road. Moreover the so-called wholeness of D. H. Lawrence is far removed from the universal outlook a Joani develops. A realized soul comprehends all beings in himself (Gita, chap. iv, sloka 35) and to rise to this stage one is to die in life. When there is only such total or wholistic abstention of all activities of Body, Mind and Senses, Shanti (Peace) is attained in the form of God-realization (Gita, chap. iv, sloka 39). Perhaps Reality may be known bya wise regression into the origins of Evolution. The author Udonath enunciates nothing new and what is implicit in his notes or stray jottings is a rehash of Vedic knowledge transmitted down the centuries past.

鈥� K. SUBBA RAO

I was a Room Filled: By Dr. P. P. Sharma. Jayant Publications, Kanpur. Price: Rs. 20.

This collection of poems begins with the poem, 鈥楢 Prayer Answered鈥�, which vividly portrays how faith all too tenuous and fragile is made whole and strengthened by the all-encompassing mercy of the great Lord.

Dr. Sharma has given to the readers in this collection his lilting songs that reveal unmistakably his real self: Most of the poems in the collection are in the true Indian poetic tradition of mysticism and religious fervour, for example, 鈥楢 Prayer Answered鈥�, 鈥楲amentation of Devayani鈥�, 鈥楾he Sacred Book Installed鈥�, 鈥業 was a Room Filled鈥� and 鈥榊our Mercy鈥�, etc. Dr. Sharma has taken up some of the important contemporary themes, for example, the theme of suppression of dissent and an effort at bringing about conformity in the poem 鈥淭he Unsure Ones.鈥� The poem 鈥楾he Aerial Survey鈥� is a biting satire on leaders who show only lip sympathy to the people in distress and are completely unmoved by their suffering.
鈥淭he aerial survey颅
too much of an excitement颅
has rendered me unfit
to put on my usual mask,
and concentrate Boddhisatva鈥檚 compassion
in one agonized look.鈥�

The poems, 鈥淲hen One is Cheated鈥� and 鈥淚nconveniences of not having small change鈥� are in a lighter vein and reveal Dr. Sharma鈥檚 robust sense of humour.

In short, the collection has the stamp of an authentic poet and we are confident that the readers will enjoy reading the poems.
鈥揇r. S. C. MATHUR

SAMSKRIT-ENGLISH

Pratyabhijna Hridayam: By Jayadeva Singh. Motilal Banarsi Dass, Bungalow Road, Delhi-7. Price: Rs. 30.

The book under review is the best introduction to Pratyabhijna philosophy of Kashmir Saivism, which has its own charm and appeal, and which according to some formed a basis forthe Indian aesthetic theory expounded by Anandavardhana and Abhinavagupta and other Kashmiri writers in Alamkaarashastra. This translation is the authentic one, as the translator studied this with Swami Laxman Joo said to be an authority in the exposition and practice of Kashmir Saivism.

This is the best translation and exposition because of the following salient features. It corrects the wrong interpretations in Prof. Leidecker鈥檚 translation. The introduction is so beautiful and lucid that even a lay man can have a clear knowledge of the outlines and essentials of this philosophy. 鈥淪vaatantryavaada鈥�, 鈥淎bhaasavaada,鈥� 鈥淪badadhvaa鈥� are also dealt with herein. Comparison and contrast of Sankara鈥檚 Advaita with this Sivaadvaita is another highlight of this introduction. An analysis of contents gives a brilliant exposition of the Sutras in English. An almost word for word translation is so lucid that even an ordinary student of Samskrit can follow it with ease. Copious notes spreading over forty pages elucidate the connotations of technical and difficult Samskrit words in the text. A table explanatory to the third Sutra and an explanatory diagram on page 156 need special mention. Glossary of technical terms, footnotes and indexes both in Samskrit and English make the edition an ideal and complete one. At every stage we see Kalidasa鈥檚 ideal teacher referred to in his verse 鈥�Yasyobhayam saadhu sa sikshakaanam dhuri pratisthaapayitavya eva鈥� in the聽 translator of this work.
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SAMSKRIT

Prapanchasara Tantra (of Shankaracharya): Editors: Arthur Avalon and Atalananda Saraswati. Motilal Banarsi Dass, Bungalow Road, Delhi-7. Price: Rs. 75.

Prapanchasaraaccording to Padmapadacharya鈥檚 commentary is 鈥楢gamasaara鈥� or quintessence of Agamas and was quoted as an authority in later works. Many commentaries on this also speak volumes of the greatness of this work. This was first edited by Arthur Avalon, a great savant, with an introduction and postcript discussing the Tantric nature and authorship of the text. He marshals facts in evidence of the authorship of Shankara. He also gives a summary of all the 36 chapters of this work in English.

Incidentally three hymns are fully translated. While summari颅sing the second chapter he correlates the ideas presented herein with those of Ayurveda and Yoga. Coming to the text proper the first two chapters deal with the evolution of the world. The third chapter explains the significance of letters and deserves a keen study. The Bija letter 鈥淗rim鈥� is the subject of the 4th chapter. The remaining chapters describe in detail the Mantras, Yantras, Nyasas, Homas, Purascharana, Dhyana and Diksha, etc., relating to more than fifty Devatas, most of which can be classified generally as coming under five groups鈥揝aiva, Vaishnava, Shakta, Saura and Ganapatya, in addition to Pranava, Ajapaa, Grahas, Rasis and Matrukaa, etc. Letters are said to be related to Agni, Soma and Surya. Each letter is presided by a Shakti, and has affinity with a particular herb. Letters are related to Grahas also. An inquisitive reader will be happy to find out here the derivative meanings of the common words-Rishi, Chandas, Hridayam, Netram, Kavacham, Shakti and Bija, etc., that we come across in our daily meditation.

Commentary 鈥�Vivarana鈥� written by Padmapadacharya, a close disciple of Shankara, is also elucidative. In the very beginning, for instance, 鈥淧rayogakrama鈥� for 鈥淭railokyamohana鈥� is given with separate slokas for all the Upachaaras, Shivapanchaakshari Bhashya by Padmapadacharya is another precious inclusion in this text.

In all, this work is a must for all students of Tantrik literature who should be grateful to the publishers for having brought out this, which for a long time has gone out of print.

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TELUGU

Prasoona Manjari (Poems): By Dr. Bezawada Gopala Reddi. Andhra Saraswata Parishat, Tilak Road, Hyderabad. Price: Rs. 6.

Is there any age limit for literary composition or poetic expression? Luckily none, unlike for service in Government or other organised sectors! If there were, we might have lost some of the world鈥檚 notable works.

Dr. Gopala Reddi, veteran man of affairs, has been a man of letters as well. Long known as a translator of Tagore and friend of poets and writers, he is now winning his spurs as a poet himself. It was in 1977, at the age of almost three score and ten, an age at which most others would have called it a day, that he started writing poetry. He has already published four collections of his verse and the present volume is his fifth.

Prasoona Manjari (literally, a garland of flowers) is a collection of the author鈥檚 musings, on all things under the sun, and even beyond as well, that attract his attention or excite his imagination鈥揻lowers and trees, seasons and desires, impressions of a variety of men and things, thoughts on time, life, death and beyond them all!

One does not know if it is an asset or a handicap, but Dr. Gopala Reddi has not been schooled in the traditional principles of rhetoric and prosody. He could not care less, if he was reminded of them. He writes as he pleases, in his own kind of free verse or what you will. He may be described as a 鈥渘atural poet鈥�, with no inhibitions or restraints, for whom the idea is more important than the expression. He writes in the poem 鈥淎aema Jnaanam鈥� (translation mine):

Many facts unknown
To scholars most erudite,
Nature鈥檚 secrets beyond the ken
of scientists great;
All truths not seen or heard,
Some unseen, un-heard, more so;
What about our birth and death,
for instance?

The only question that might arise is whether ideas and impressions, by themselves, make for poetry. What about the words, which are supposed to have a curious felicity and an unchallenged inevitability? The author, like some others, might very well answer that the ideas choose their own words and the form is determined by the content.

鈥揇r. D. ANJANEYULU

Kumarasambhavamu: By Nannechoda (First four chapters, with Telugu commentary by late N. Venkata Ramanayya.) Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad-4. Price: Rs. 7.

Nannechoda carved out a special niche for himself in the temple of Telugu literary fame. His magnum opus, 鈥淜umarasambhava鈥� has a unique place in Telugu literature. Its contribution for the studies of Telugu language and literature cannot be ignored. As a literary piece it is highly appreciated; and compared with Kalidasa鈥檚 Kumarasambhava. It has its own religious importance also. Much research has been conducted on this book in its various aspects and the Akademi did yeoman service in encouraging and bringing to light some of those researches. But the text, as it is, is not easily understandable. This publication removes that difficulty as far as this part of the text goes.

Late N. Venkata Ramanayya, an eminent research scholar, is the proper person to comment upon this, and herein lies the value of this work. His has been a herculean task indeed, and any intelligent reader cannot but be surprised at the depth and wealth of scholarship that is brought to bear in writing this critical, comparative and elucidative commentary. It does not stop with giving word for word meanings of the Telugu verse, and their import. Remarks and observations that are linguistic, literary, historical, and religious do not escape his view wherever necessary. Relevant quotations from lexicons and parallel quotations from Telugu Kavyas are found in plenty. Some Telugu words are traced to their equivalents in Kannada and Tamil, etc. In short this commentary is a marvellous feat both from the traditional and modern critical points of view, and we are all praise for this publication. How we wish the remaining part of the text is also commented upon on the same lines as these, by any other eminent linguist and literary scholar!聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽

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Prachinaandhra Chaaritraka Bhugolamu: By Kunduri Iswara Dutt. Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Akademi, Hyderabad - 4. Price Rs. 12.

There are books and books on Andhra Geography and History, but this book under review on Andhra Historical Geography written by a reputed scholar, critic and historian, is the first of its kind in Telugu literature. This is the second edition.

The first part of this work deals with Puranic, literary and physical geography of Andhra, and the influence of physical geography on the history of Andhra Pradesh. The second part including the supplement contains the alphabetical list of many important ancient geographical divisions. Any reader of this book needs no more feel himself left in lurch as to the identity of many mountains, rivers, Durgas, Nadus, Seemas, Mandalas, etc., mentioned in the Telugu inscriptions, Puranas and Prabandhas. Words like Ratta, Haara, Rashtra and Samudra will no more be Greek and Latin to him. With this as his guiding torch he can safely sail through. Need it be said that this is an indispensable work for all students of Telugu literature in general and research scholars in Andhra History in particular?

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Sahitya Vivechana: Dr. M. Subba Reddi, Reader, S. V. University, Tirupati. Price: Rs. 6.50.

An anthology of literary essays, 鈥淪ahitya Vivechana鈥� covers a wide range of topics extending from patriotic poetry in Telugu to the folk songs sung by housewives in Telugu households. The essays are useful to the beginners as the writer chooses to write on simple subjects in simple style. The essay on the use of dialect in 鈥淢alapalli鈥� is helpful to those who endeavour to appreciate the beauty of that Telugu classic completely.

鈥揇r. C. N. SASTRI