I feel fortunate that I know Dr. Shastri, author of Thai Ramayana in sanskrit. Born to a family of scholars, he is a rare combination of scholarship and creativity; also a very engaging personality and a brilliant speaker. As I blogged about his Ramakirtimahakavyam, a turn of phrase in his book would sometimes feel familiar, reminding me of something he had said in our conversations and it is a very special feeling!
His Bio data:
 |
| Dr.Satyavrat Shastri. Coutsey Wikipedia |
His Bio data:
Dr. Shastri is the product of both the systems of Sanskrit learning, traditional and modern. After receiving his early education under his father, he had moved to Varanasi where he had the opportunity of studying with some of the stalwarts of the Century.
He has won many Indian and International awards including the Sahitya Academy award and Jnanpit Award. Was conferred 'Doctrate Honoris Causa' by the University of Torino, Italy on May 3, 2012. Nice to be recognised in one's lifetime!
As I seek to learn about Kambar, who knew both tamil and sanskrit well enough to adapt the sanskrit epic to give us his own version of Ramayana, I see that there is no mention of his gurus.
Here is his story on line in wikipedia:
Kambar belonged to the Ochchan or Occhan caste, traditionally nadaswaram players in southern India. But he was brought up in the household of a wealthy farmer in Vennai Nellur in south India. The Chola king having heard of this talented bard, summoned him to his court and honoured him with the title Kavi Chakravarthi or The Emperor of Poets.
He has won many Indian and International awards including the Sahitya Academy award and Jnanpit Award. Was conferred 'Doctrate Honoris Causa' by the University of Torino, Italy on May 3, 2012. Nice to be recognised in one's lifetime!
As I seek to learn about Kambar, who knew both tamil and sanskrit well enough to adapt the sanskrit epic to give us his own version of Ramayana, I see that there is no mention of his gurus.
Here is his story on line in wikipedia:
Kambar belonged to the Ochchan or Occhan caste, traditionally nadaswaram players in southern India. But he was brought up in the household of a wealthy farmer in Vennai Nellur in south India. The Chola king having heard of this talented bard, summoned him to his court and honoured him with the title Kavi Chakravarthi or The Emperor of Poets.
 |
| Kambar. Coutsey Wikipedia |
According to tradition, Kambar's son, Ambikapathi was later put to death for having fallen in love with the Chola King's daughter and Kambar himself had to flee. In his old age, he was then supported and patronized by his friend Sadaiyappan. In someways times have not changed! Artists are easy targets! Surprising backgound for an author of a world class epic.
On line research can easily lead one astray! 'Occhan' is a Japanese comic strip personality! Spelt as Och Chan it is an ancient Mayan mythical character, a bearded dragon or a serpent!
On line research can easily lead one astray! 'Occhan' is a Japanese comic strip personality! Spelt as Och Chan it is an ancient Mayan mythical character, a bearded dragon or a serpent!
The stories about our epic writers in ancient times are fascinating! Even though the story of adikavi Valmiki is told with reverence, it is very unusual.
Here is quote from the web:
Here is quote from the web:
The Adikavi, the Poet of Poets, of India, who gave the world the immortal epic, the 'Ramayana'. By profession a highway robber, he came under the spell of Maharshi Narada and became a 'Brahmarshi' . He not only sang the matchless greatness of Sri Rama, but gave shelter to his wife Seetha Devi, and taught the epic to Sri Rama's sons. Author: T.S.Shama Rao
If we wonder, being exposed to genetics, how could a robber become a great poet, also the first one, there is another story. (could have been fabricated later!). He was actually a lost child of a sage brought up by a hunter. He took to robbing as he could not support his ever growing family! Maharishi Narada converted him with some clever arguments. His penance was so steadfast that an anthill grew on him! Narada pleased, gave him the title as maharishi Valmiki.
However, the story of how he became a poet would be acceptable to creative persons. His sensibilities were triggered by an incident:
Valmiki saw a Crane (bird) couple mating..... Suddenly, hit by an arrow; the male bird died on the spot. Filled by sorrow its mate screamed in agony and died of shock. Vālmīki 's heart melted at this pitiful sight. He looked around to find out who had shot the bird. He saw a hunter with a bow and arrows, nearby. Vālmīki became very angry. .....Emerging spontaneously from his rage and grief, ...was the first śloka in Sanskrit literature. Later Vālmīki Muni composed the entire Rāmāyaṇa with the blessings of Lord Brahmā in the same meter. ...Muni is revered as the first poet, or Ādi Kavi, and the Rāmāyaṇa, the first Kāvya.
Valmiki becomes a part of the epic when Sita seeks refuge in his ashram and he also teaches Lava and Kusha to sing Ramayana. But these are incidental and he had no role to play in influencing events.
But his desire to know 'Who really is that person in this present world, who is principled and also a potential one, a conscientious one, a redeemer, and also a truth-teller and self-determined in his deed...' is understandable. A converted robber seeking an ideal! It could also explain the way the personality of Rama is depicted, almost two dimensional, living up to an ideal!
Mahabharata which came later, is more complex. I imagine that this could have been written in protest or it could be an expose' of khsatriyas, the ruling class! Vyasa is almost unbelievable! He is prolific, has written on so many subjects, he is everywhere! It is also said there were many Vyasa's.
But even if he had just auhtored Mahabharata, it is unparalled! But as a person, he must have been formidable, the way he performed niyoga at the bidding of his mother Satyavathi was practically inhuman. But one can say it was out of necessity and not for pleasure!
But the web has so many stories:
Here is (parts of) the story, very typical, about Vyasa by Swami Sivananda:
Our mythology speaks of many Vyasas; and it is said that there had been twenty-eight Vyasas before the present Vyasa—Krishna Dvaipayana—took his birth at the end of Dvapara Yuga. Krishna Dvaipayana was born of Parasara Rishi through the Matsyakanya—Satyavathi Devi—under some peculiar and wonderful circumstances. Parasara was a great Jnani and one of the supreme authorities on astrology and his book Parasara Hora is still a textbook on astrology. .... Parasara came to know that a child, conceived at a particular Ghatika or moment of time, would be born as the greatest man of the age, nay, as an Amsa of Lord Vishnu Himself. On that day, Parasara was travelling in a boat and he spoke to the boatman about the nearing of that auspicious time. The boatman had a daughter who was of age and awaiting marriage. He was impressed with the sanctity and greatness of the Rishi and offered his daughter in marriage to Parasara. Our Vyasa was born of this union and his birth is said to be due to the blessing of Lord Siva Himself who blessed the union of a sage with a Jnani of the highest order, although of a low caste. (The last sentence is a bit confusing!)
At a very tender age Vyasa gave out to his parents the secret of his life that he should go to the forest and do Akhanda Tapas. His mother at first did not agree, but later gave permission on one important condition that he should appear before her whenever she wished for his presence. This itself shows how far-sighted the parents and the son were. Puranas say that Vyasa took initiation at the hands of his twenty-first Guru, sage Vasudeva. .....; he also wrote the Mahabharata to enable women, Sudras and other people of lesser intellect to understand the highest knowledge in the easiest way. .....(Women, now you know!) To him is also attributed the fact that he continued the line of his mother and that Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were his progeny.
Vyasa is considered by all Hindus as a Chiranjivi, one who is still living and roaming throughout the world for the well-being of his devotees. ....
Here is another story about Vyasa ! More romantic.....The daughter came out of the hut hastily. The man pointed his finger at the boat. Timidly she walked and united the tether. He took a single leap and sat in the boat. The girl got into the boat, too. She sat in a corner and took out the oars. She rowed on slowly. The boat drifted slowly towards the opposite bank.
He gazed at her. She was beautiful like the moonlight. But a foul smell emanated from her body. He covered nose because he just could not bear smell. It occurred to him that she would a fine companion to him if she did not smell so. He rid her of the foul smell with the power of his tapas. He covered her with the sweet fragrance of Kasturi (the musk). She understood it. She beamed and so did he. Just then the boat can to a mound in the river. It was rich with plants and trees. Colourful birds we hopping about from tree to tree. The two got off the boat and stayed there for some time. By then they had become true companions.....He was the 'rishi' Parashara. Vyasa was the son of these two.
Vyasa grew into manhood shortly after his birth. He was already well versed in the Vedas, the Shastras, the Purans, Poetry, History and other branches learning. He was ripe with wisdom. After all, wasn't, he the son of a 'rishi'?
Vyasa bowed to his mother, touching her feet with his head. Satyavati touch his head lovingly. Vyasa stood up with folded hands and said: "Mother, if ever you wish to see me, please call me and I shall come, no matter where I am."
There are so many stories, so many versions! Must be the reason we are told, forget all this and just get the message! Ramayana I guess spoke about the ideals we need to follow and Mahabharata taught us to be realistic.
Thanks.Very informative 17 April 2013 at 13:56 
Chandramouli said...
Storytellers as a class in all Cultures from 3500 B.C.have used language- mostly in oral form and a few with scripts- to communicate basic truths of human life through events from the past embellishing it as Past merged into the present to be preserved, conserved and passed on to the Future. In the process the stories acquired life as it were and held up as mirrors to beliefs, morals, obligations, and such like as Time went into Centuries. Gods were merely incidental added for color and not really relevant to Universal themes. Struggle between good and evil, suffering, misfortune, success etc etc. V and V were excellent poets and singers in doing their work as the greatest craftsmen in Sanskrit when it still did not have not have a script. This is what my unletterd grandmother told me years ago !! Mouli 17 April 2013 at 16:29
Valmiki saw a Crane (bird) couple mating..... Suddenly, hit by an arrow; the male bird died on the spot. Filled by sorrow its mate screamed in agony and died of shock. Vālmīki 's heart melted at this pitiful sight. He looked around to find out who had shot the bird. He saw a hunter with a bow and arrows, nearby. Vālmīki became very angry. .....Emerging spontaneously from his rage and grief, ...was the first śloka in Sanskrit literature. Later Vālmīki Muni composed the entire Rāmāyaṇa with the blessings of Lord Brahmā in the same meter. ...Muni is revered as the first poet, or Ādi Kavi, and the Rāmāyaṇa, the first Kāvya.Valmiki becomes a part of the epic when Sita seeks refuge in his ashram and he also teaches Lava and Kusha to sing Ramayana. But these are incidental and he had no role to play in influencing events.
But his desire to know 'Who really is that person in this present world, who is principled and also a potential one, a conscientious one, a redeemer, and also a truth-teller and self-determined in his deed...' is understandable. A converted robber seeking an ideal! It could also explain the way the personality of Rama is depicted, almost two dimensional, living up to an ideal!
Mahabharata which came later, is more complex. I imagine that this could have been written in protest or it could be an expose' of khsatriyas, the ruling class! Vyasa is almost unbelievable! He is prolific, has written on so many subjects, he is everywhere! It is also said there were many Vyasa's.
But even if he had just auhtored Mahabharata, it is unparalled! But as a person, he must have been formidable, the way he performed niyoga at the bidding of his mother Satyavathi was practically inhuman. But one can say it was out of necessity and not for pleasure!
Here is (parts of) the story, very typical, about Vyasa by Swami Sivananda:
Our mythology speaks of many Vyasas; and it is said that there had been twenty-eight Vyasas before the present Vyasa—Krishna Dvaipayana—took his birth at the end of Dvapara Yuga. Krishna Dvaipayana was born of Parasara Rishi through the Matsyakanya—Satyavathi Devi—under some peculiar and wonderful circumstances. Parasara was a great Jnani and one of the supreme authorities on astrology and his book Parasara Hora is still a textbook on astrology. .... Parasara came to know that a child, conceived at a particular Ghatika or moment of time, would be born as the greatest man of the age, nay, as an Amsa of Lord Vishnu Himself. On that day, Parasara was travelling in a boat and he spoke to the boatman about the nearing of that auspicious time. The boatman had a daughter who was of age and awaiting marriage. He was impressed with the sanctity and greatness of the Rishi and offered his daughter in marriage to Parasara. Our Vyasa was born of this union and his birth is said to be due to the blessing of Lord Siva Himself who blessed the union of a sage with a Jnani of the highest order, although of a low caste. (The last sentence is a bit confusing!)
At a very tender age Vyasa gave out to his parents the secret of his life that he should go to the forest and do Akhanda Tapas. His mother at first did not agree, but later gave permission on one important condition that he should appear before her whenever she wished for his presence. This itself shows how far-sighted the parents and the son were. Puranas say that Vyasa took initiation at the hands of his twenty-first Guru, sage Vasudeva. .....; he also wrote the Mahabharata to enable women, Sudras and other people of lesser intellect to understand the highest knowledge in the easiest way. .....(Women, now you know!) To him is also attributed the fact that he continued the line of his mother and that Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura were his progeny.
Vyasa is considered by all Hindus as a Chiranjivi, one who is still living and roaming throughout the world for the well-being of his devotees. ....
Here is another story about Vyasa ! More romantic.....The daughter came out of the hut hastily. The man pointed his finger at the boat. Timidly she walked and united the tether. He took a single leap and sat in the boat. The girl got into the boat, too. She sat in a corner and took out the oars. She rowed on slowly. The boat drifted slowly towards the opposite bank.
He gazed at her. She was beautiful like the moonlight. But a foul smell emanated from her body. He covered nose because he just could not bear smell. It occurred to him that she would a fine companion to him if she did not smell so. He rid her of the foul smell with the power of his tapas. He covered her with the sweet fragrance of Kasturi (the musk). She understood it. She beamed and so did he. Just then the boat can to a mound in the river. It was rich with plants and trees. Colourful birds we hopping about from tree to tree. The two got off the boat and stayed there for some time. By then they had become true companions.....He was the 'rishi' Parashara. Vyasa was the son of these two.
Vyasa grew into manhood shortly after his birth. He was already well versed in the Vedas, the Shastras, the Purans, Poetry, History and other branches learning. He was ripe with wisdom. After all, wasn't, he the son of a 'rishi'?
Vyasa bowed to his mother, touching her feet with his head. Satyavati touch his head lovingly. Vyasa stood up with folded hands and said: "Mother, if ever you wish to see me, please call me and I shall come, no matter where I am."
There are so many stories, so many versions! Must be the reason we are told, forget all this and just get the message! Ramayana I guess spoke about the ideals we need to follow and Mahabharata taught us to be realistic.
No comments:
Post a Comment