The Israel-Palestine conflict remains one of the most enduring and contentious disputes in contemporary history, shaping geopolitical dynamics far beyond its immediate vicinity. This multifaceted conflict encompasses religious, intra-religious, and geopolitical aspects, all of which are expertly examined by Stanly Johny in his latest book, Original Sin: Israel, Palestine and the Revenge of Old West Asia. In this work, he traces the historical origins of the conflict up to the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, along with the ensuing retaliation and its ramifications.

The author structures the book into seven chapters, beginning with an examination of the origins of the Arab-Israeli conflict. He delves into the roots of Zionism, the events leading to the Balfour Declaration, and the internal divisions within the Zionist movement. Additionally, the text explores how the establishment of a Jewish state provoked a violent reaction from Arab nations. Immediately following its creation, Israel faced military aggression from four Arab countries, and by the conclusion of the war, it had acquired more territory than was allocated in the United Nations’ 1948 plan. The subsequent experience of the Palestinians is referred to as the naqba (catastrophe), during which approximately 750,000 Palestinians were forcibly removed from their homes. Stanly identifies a recurring theme in this narrative, referencing a 1937 diary entry by David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first Prime Minister, in which he wrote, “We must expel Arabs and take their place.”

The book elaborates on all the Arab-Israeli conflicts, particularly highlighting the Six-Day War, which significantly altered the region’s trajectory, notably by establishing Israel as a strategic ally of the United States in West Asia. Following this, the Yom Kippur War forced Israel to acknowledge the concept of a Palestinian state for the first time, leading to recognition from a prominent Arab country, Egypt. Additionally, the Oslo Accords and the emergence of Hamas are interconnected, as the Oslo agreement contributed to the decline of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in its struggle for dominance against Hamas. The book is enriched with personal anecdotes that the author gathers throughout his journeys in the conflict zone. He describes Ramallah as “one of the most challenging government administrative centres to reach due to Israeli occupation.” Regarding Jerusalem, he astutely notes that it is “a city where history is frozen in every corner.” Stanly also clarifies the importance of the Temple Mount, Haram esh-Sharif, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the three Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

In his examination of Iran’s Axis of Resistance, the author characterizes Iran as the “strategic octopus of West Asia,” with the Ayatollah-led regime at its center and militias such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Islamic Jihad serving as its extensions. Hezbollah was established by Iran in response to Israel’s assault on Lebanon in the early 1980s, while Hamas emerged independently but has since received Iranian support to confront its adversaries, Israel and the United States. Through this Axis of Resistance, Iran effectively maintains a buffer against conflict at its borders, employing asymmetric warfare tactics against Israel within the region.

The book also includes a chapter on India’s approach to the crisis. Since the era of Nehru, when India distinctly supported Palestine, there has been a notable shift under Prime Minister Modi, characterized by a clear inclination towards Israel. This shift, often referred to as the de-hyphenation of India’s policy on Israel and Palestine, began during the premiership of P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1991. The concluding section of the book examines the transformation of India’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Officially, India endorses a two-state solution that envisions a sovereign and independent Palestine. Following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, India expressed solidarity with Israel; however, the subsequent indiscriminate bombings of Palestinian territories prompted India to advocate for a ceasefire and urge Israel to consider civilian casualties in Palestine. Despite this criticism, Israel has largely minimized these concerns, and the amicable relationship between the two nations persists.

Stanly perceives Israel’s confrontational and aggressive posture, characterized by its reliance on military force, as a moral, geographical, and historical entrapment. The Jewish nation continues to bear the consequences of this stance, as peace in the Middle East remains unattainable—a situation that will persist until the fundamental issue of the Palestinian question is addressed. During a visit to Bethlehem, located less than 10 kilometers from Jerusalem and recognized as the birthplace of Jesus, the author reflects deeply. His insights encapsulate the conflict: “On one side, you have the place where Jesus was born; just a few hundred meters across the square, you have a mosque where Islam’s second Caliph prayed. And in between, a pub where you can sit back and deliberate on what went wrong over the centuries.”

Foreign policy is primarily grounded in practical considerations and is characterized by a pragmatic approach. Ethical and moral principles typically fall outside the realm of geopolitics. The global perspective on this conflict is influenced by realpolitik. When India interacts with Israel while simultaneously advocating for a sovereign and independent Palestine, it appears to diverge from its pro-Palestine stance maintained for nearly four decades. Nevertheless, India exemplifies the notion articulated by Palmerston: “Nations have no permanent friends or enemies, only permanent interests.”

Original Sin offers a compassionate viewpoint on the West Asian conflict, showcasing the author’s profound emotional engagement with the topic, in addition to the extensive first-hand research he has conducted. This book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the origins of the conflict, the diverse stakeholders involved, and the far-reaching consequences of the war.

Kanishk Shekhar is a columnist and also teaches students preparing for Civil Services Exam.

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The post Original Sin Book Review: Stanly Johny’s Emotionally Pragmatic And Deeply Insightful Take On The Israel-Palestine Conflict appeared first on The Commune.

In his seminal work, “India: A Wounded Civilization,” the esteemed author V.S. Naipaul remarked, “Indian journalism developed no reporting tradition; it often reported on India as on a foreign country.” This statement reflects his criticism of the absence of an authentic Indian perspective in the media. Across various domains of social sciences, the Western narrative has predominantly shaped the discourse, and India has yet to fully transcend this dependency. Furthermore, the normative frameworks that influence geopolitics are seldom centred on India. Dhruva Jaishankar’s book, “Vishwa Shastra,” represents a genuine effort to address this gap. As he articulates, “Outsiders have often sought to interpret India, but with rare exceptions, such works often impose their own lenses.”  His book seeks to modernize India’s strategic lexicon by providing a fundamental overview of India and its global context. It presents a formal and systematic analysis that examines geopolitical developments, particularly focusing on India’s rise and the historical progression of its political identity. 

Historical Foundations: India’s Strategic Legacy

Vishwa Shastra, or a treatise on the world is divided into two sections: Itihasa (history) & Rashtriya neeti (strategy). It starts with an examination of India’s international relations prior to its independence, a topic that is frequently neglected. The impact of this pre-independence history continues to shape various elements of India’s strategic discussions in contemporary times. The author references Vedic texts, Puranas, Jain and Buddhist literature, as well as works such as Arthashastra and Manusmriti, to demonstrate the sophisticated statecraft that existed in ancient India.

The text discusses India’s considerable interactions with the eastern and southern regions. In addition to the powerful Chola dynasty, various Indian rulers also explored Sri Lanka, as demonstrated by the Indian cultural influences present in Southeast Asia. The author subsequently analyses the emergence of Islam during the medieval period and its overall impact on India. Contrary to common perceptions, the Mughals, the Ottoman Caliphs, and the Safavids in Persia experienced their own rivalries. The author characterizes these entities as “gunpowder empires” due to their military prowess. The book further explores themes related to the confederacies and generals of medieval regions such as Awadh, Punjab, Bengal, Malwa, and the Marathas. It examines the arrival of European powers, the establishment of British rule in India, and the enduring effects of these developments on the subcontinent. Dhruva criticizes the ambiguous and problematic nature of British agreements, asserting that they have played a significant role in the boundary issues that India continues to confront today.

India’s Strategic Choices In The Post-Independence Era

Post-independence, India opted for a non-aligned stance, distancing itself from major power blocs. This strategic choice allowed the nation to reap benefits from both the US-led and Soviet-led factions, while also positioning India as a natural leader among post-colonial nations. The author notes that prominent figures such as Patel, Ambedkar, and JB Kripalani expressed concerns regarding non-alignment. In a speech delivered in 1951, Ambedkar articulated his worries about the country’s foreign policy, stating, “the cause for my anxiety is the foreign policy of the country. We have alienated ourselves.” These concerns were rooted in empirical evidence; for instance, in 1947, India declined American aid for dam construction, as Nehru preferred to limit machinery usage to create more employment opportunities. Additionally, India rejected a friendship treaty with the United States. It was only after Stalin’s death in 1953 that India began to strengthen its ties with the USSR. Dhruva provides an in-depth analysis of the defeat suffered by India at the hands of China in 1962, attributing this setback to Nehru’s idealistic views of China. The author asserts, “One of India’s fundamental errors was its misreading of China’s domestic politics, its ideological imperatives, and the international environment.”

Regional Assertiveness And Foreign Policy Shifts (1971–1991)

The book delves into India’s interventions in its neighboring countries and its strategic alignments as it transitioned into the third phase of its foreign policy from 1971 to 1991, characterized by a more assertive regional stance. Notably, India played a crucial role in the liberation of Bangladesh and became involved in the Sri Lankan civil war, which ultimately proved to be a miscalculation. Another instance of regional assertiveness was Operation Cactus in 1988, during which Indian troops were deployed to the Maldives to protect the president. In response to the growing US-Pakistan-China nexus, India strengthened its relationship with the USSR by signing a friendship treaty. The book thoroughly examines the factors that led to India’s economic liberalization in 1991, highlighting the Gulf War, the disintegration of the USSR, and India’s efforts to move beyond the limitations of outdated non-alignment policies as key influences.

Rashtriya Neeti: A Strategy For The Future

The second section of the book, titled “Rashtriya Neeti” (statecraft), outlines a strategy aimed at enhancing India’s global standing. Dhruva asserts that globalization alone cannot resolve all the challenges confronting India. He astutely points out India’s power paradox, wherein the nation possesses both a developing economy and the attributes of a major power. Drawing lessons from various successful nations, the book warns against a complete inward focus, advocating instead for proactive engagement in international affairs. The author highlights 14 key points that could serve as force multipliers for India, including military readiness, the implementation of an industrial policy, prioritizing regional relationships, enhancing assistance and connectivity, securing the Indian Ocean, fostering connections with Southeast Asia, collaborating with the Quad and other partners, managing competition with China, addressing issues with Pakistan, engaging with Afghanistan, reshaping dynamics in the Middle East, revitalizing multilateral institutions, forming new coalitions, and amplifying the voice of the Global South. The author notes that many of these initiatives are already in progress. He pragmatically notes that unless China fundamentally alters its approach to international relations, New Delhi must remain prepared for a significantly more competitive relationship with China.

A Comprehensive And Insightful Read

Vishwa Shastra is a remarkable work that elucidates, analyses, and summarizes the events that have influenced both Indian and global dynamics. The author demonstrates a profound comprehension of Indian history and the significant legacy it contributes to the world. This book serves as an essential resource for anyone interested in international relations, including students, academics, civil service aspirants, and general readers eager to understand India’s position in the evolving global landscape. Dhruva presents incisive arguments supported by reliable sources, providing a comprehensive overview of Indian foreign policy. Examine it for its factual and objective examination, free from any ideological bias, encouraging readers to reflect without preconceived notions. Dhruva’s book is an engaging read that captivates attention.

Kanishk Shekhar is a columnist and also teaches students preparing for Civil Services Exam

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The post A Strategic Blueprint For India’s Global Future: A Review Of Dhruva Jaishankar’s Vishwa Shastra appeared first on The Commune.

The common saying amongst writers is that the more you read, the better your writing gets. Successful authors have always recommended reading not just in the genre one writes in, but on a wider scale as well.

When I first picked up Vritrahan, I did it with some trepidation. I know Ratul as a writer, but the thought of reading a book written completely in verse, was daunting, to say the least. I must confess here that I have never been a fan of free verse. I like my ‘love’ to rhyme with my ‘dove’ in every other sentence! How on earth was I going to make my way through 325 pages of free verse? That too, of a story that I had read in an Amar Chitra Katha all those years ago and which I knew fairly well?

I need not have worried. Vritrahan, at its surface, is the well-known story of the killing of Vritra, by Indra. For those unaware of the story, it starts with Indra’s killing of Vishwarupa, the Maker Tvashta’s son. In despair over the loss of his son and with rage at the adharmic way in which he was killed by Indra, Tvashta creates Vritra, a demon, who is unstoppable. Vritra steals the waters of the earth and turns the world into a desert.

Indra approaches Mahavishnu who advises him to seek out sage Dadichi, who, in an ultimate act of self-sacrifice for the greater good, burns himself to ashes, leaving aside his bones. Bones, that Tvashta, hit by remorse at the evil that he has unleashed, then fashions into the powerful Vajra, Indra battles Vritra and eventually manages to kill him. The river waters are released and the earth flowers again.
This is just the main story of Indra and Vritra. Ratul however, uses this as the substructure on which to expand on his worldview; an Indic worldview.

In doing so, he presents deep Upanishadic philosophies including the Purusharthas, Rta, Atman, Brahman, Karma, Dharma, and Adharma. He begins his magnificent work with creation and the oneness of everything that arises from nothingness. He channels the Nasadiya Sukta as he explores the very beginning of time and space.

As he expounds on his worldview, he relates the Vritra story to the rise and fall of societies and civilizations and then subtly weaves in the many ills plaguing our society today. The challenges arising from a blithe disregard for dharma, the breakdown of societal rules and norms, and the resultant chaos are captured evocatively in the book.

At an even deeper level, Ratul’s exploration of Indra’s trials and tribulations seems like a personal journey that every one of us undergoes in life. Indra’s fall from grace for the unjustified murder of Vishwarupa, the inevitable and inexorable outcome of karma, exemplified by his penitence for his act not resulting in his immediate redemption. Karma IS inexorable and whomsoever it might be, be he ever so exalted or humble, karma cannot be circumvented.

It is only when Indra finally finds his higher purpose, his calling, that one sees his eventual rise from the depths to which he has fallen and for his final redemption. One can see echoes of the nishkama karma philosophy from the Bhagavad Gita in those lines.
Now to the writing. As I mentioned at the start, I have always been wary of free verse. I like rhythm. I like cadence and, in my view, or at least till now, most free verses I have read lacked that.

Not Ratul’s. There is a rhythm to his words, a beat that echoes through his lines. One can almost hear Shiva’s damaru playing as he recreates the origin of our existence. The verses might not end in rhymes, but the beats are there, sometimes soft, like the beats from the smaller drum of the table, at others, deep and resounding as the situation warrants.

The rhythms accentuate the deep truths that his words are trying to bring out. I will never look at free verse the same way again. Here is a short glimpse for you of what I mean:
The world wept with Tvashta:
The Deodar trees wept
Red sap streaking its barks
The mountain stream wept
Sadness frothing over its banks
The flowers wept
Dewdrops freezing in the cold
The cows wept
Salting their milk with tears
The altar wept
Vermillion and ghee glistening on its steps
The snowflakes wept too
Finally melting in sorrow.

There are very few books that, when one is reading them, leave one speechless. This one did. Usually, these days, I find it difficult to keep the author in me aside, when I read books or watch movies.

In this case, I could. And when I had finished the book, I was awestruck at what Ratul had managed to do, both as a lay reader and as an author. Some books render one humble. This one did. I was rendered envious and humbled by what I had read.

If this book doesn’t merit a literary award, I don’t know which other recent book does.

Take a bow, Ratul Chakraborty!

Arun Krishnan is the author of Battle of Vathapi Trilogy.

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The post Book Review: Vritrahan By Ratul Chakraborty – A Powerful Retelling Of Indra’s Trial And Redemption appeared first on The Commune.

A good friend recommended this book during the pre-launch phase. Reading through the insightful tweets of the Major on social media, I was expecting a cracker of a book, presumably based on his experiences. However, after reading the book, I should comment that the Major has surprised all of us – This is an absolute humdinger with a thoroughly captivating narrative and excellently told fiction. The book’s title suggests that this is the first of many books and I eagerly look forward to the future editions.

This is a military fiction set in Kashmir, detailing the lives and travails of the First Battalion of the 4 Gorkha Rifles regiment. Major Danny Deka is an absolutely wonderful character, sketched to every great detail, and whose life arc is beautifully presented. Deepak, his protege and understudy, bubbling with youth and energy is a perfect foil to the daredevilry of Danny. One of the strengths or rather the beauty of the book is that many such characters are introduced in the narrative. Every single one of them is carved exquisitely and leaves a lasting memory on the reader.

The book gives some great insight into the lives of the army personnel. From regional tags like “Jat”, and “Khalsa” to the banter and leg-pulling of junior officers, this book embeds such nuggets smartly within the conversations. One of the biggest USP of the book is the enormous amount of leadership lessons that are distributed across the narrative. The importance of virtues like Humility is illustrated with some very fine examples, something that the readers can consider imbibing in their lives. Death is an event that acts as a catalyst for a gentleman cadet to transition into a Man. The conversations and experiences around this incident are quite hard-hitting.

Beyond the fiction, the book does present some fundamental issues critical to our society as part of the narrative. For example, the role of social media and influencers in setting a narrative, albeit a biased one, and the weaponization of such media by enemy powers. The role of media debates, open papers in international publications, etc are highlighted quite excellently. The author has inserted these life realities in such a wonderful manner that they don’t seem out of place at all.

Towards the end of the book, I observed a couple of instances where the dialogues are critical of the so-called defence experts who appear on all these TV debates. I wasn’t sure if this was just a conjecture of the character or a deeper reflection of the author’s experiences.

Overall, this is a wonderful unputdownable book. Very highly recommended.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: Kupwara Codes By Maj Manik M. Jolly – A Riveting Military Thriller appeared first on The Commune.

“Knowing him from Books and knowing him personally were two different things” – Swami Brahmananda, First President of Ramakrishna Math.

When one reads this book on the amazing life of Swami Vivekananda, one truly understands the prophetic nature of this statement, which incidentally is from the same book.  Swami Vivekananda’s enigmatic life has inspired generations and will continue to do so for the coming time. His teachings resonate with the young and old alike and are worshipped very widely for his inspiring call to the nation and the world. Many of the books on Swami Vivekananda deal with his teachings, thoughts, and perhaps Ramakrishna Mission/Belur Math. However, do we understand Swami Vivekananda as a person? What was his personality in real life, especially with those whom he interacted with regularly? This and many more questions are answered in this superlative work by Sankar, which provides a humane perspective of Swami Vivekananda dealing with some of the daily issues of life that everyone grapples with.

Swami Vivekananda’s life is one that has captured the imagination of many researchers from India and abroad including the humungous number of books written by Swami’s younger brother, Mahendrananth Dutta. The beauty of his life lies in the fact that it is well documented in various forms through the writings of close acquaintances to numerous letters and correspondences. To assimilate this mountain of information and condense it to an acceptable level is an uphill, arduous task, which has marvellously been achieved by the author. One of the standout features of the book is the sheer number of anecdotes and wisdom nuggets captured in the forms of dialogue between Swami & his companions or just the historical references to those who had influenced the author. For example, in the foreword, the author honours his headmaster’s memory by quoting his wisdom: “Read the original and you will never lose your way”.

The family history of Swami Vivekananda (born Narendranath Dutta) is quite well through other works on the famed leader. However, this book provides a detailed family tree on both paternal and maternal sides. This is particularly critical to understand the inner personalities of Swami’s mother and grandmother who had to undergo numerous tribulations all along their life but yet managed to hold the family together. Their life histories itself are inspirational and it shouldn’t be a surprise that such a prodigious son was born into their lineage.

If one has to summarise this book, it provides a very humane and realistic picture of a person known as Swami Vivekananda. Though a sanyasi, he was very attached to his mother which is quite evident throughout his life. After the death of his father, the family is embroiled in a series of litigation and court cases that drain the financial and mental resources of the family. Coupled with the eldest son’s decision to embark on the path of renunciation, his mother (Bhubaneshwari Devi) deals with every single challenge thrown by life toward her. There are some interesting parts of his life like anger during childhood, liking towards snuff, pigeon flying, etc. These incidents present a very holistic view of the great man – A man who is as common as any one of us.

In one of the most poignant phrases, Swami’s life is summarised as a series of Struggles and Disillusionments. Owing to the joint family system and the inherent challenges in such a setup, Swami’s family had to face numerous challenges related to money. Swami’s eternal goal was to provide and care for his mother. He was blessed with some Gurubhais who used to help Swami’s family financially. Disappointments were Swami’s eternal friends with even the great Ishwar Chandra Sagar removing Swami as a teacher based on the instigation of some students. When one reads the various, sometimes harrowing, experiences of Swami and his family, one needs to appreciate the monumental efforts of the author who has compiled data from various sources with a sharp focus.

Swami Vivekananda had to struggle a lot throughout life both financially & from a health point of view. During his times of duress, he was steadfast in his principles as he famously pronounced: “It’s a sin to cast morality aside, no matter what difficulties one encounters in life”. Swami is an exemplary personality who lived by every word he preached to others. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is about the famous “My Mother” lecture in Boston in 1894. Though it is widely understood to be about the Divine mother, many hold a different view that it was more about Swami’s own mother. One of the most hard-hitting aspects of this book is to learn the fact that Swami Vivekananda was literally starving with no good accommodation just before he delivered the famous lecture at the World’s Parliament of Religions.

Swami Vivekananda found an ally in Ajit Singh, H. H. Maharaja of Khetri who supported Swami and his family through a monthly stipend over a decade up until his death. As one wades through the pages, one can’t help but find similarities between Swami’s experiences with the universal guru Adi Sankaracharya. His eternal goal in life was to establish the Ramakrishna Mission and spread the teachings of his guru, Sri Ramakrishna to a wider audience. Sister Nivedita summarised Swami’s life in a great way: The monk named Vivekananda could renounce money and women but not love for his family. Swami Vivekananda always acknowledged the role of his mother publicly, which made him an astounding leader who was humane enough.

The book gives a very detailed insight into the culinary skills of Swami Vivekananda, who had set up a club in his childhood named “The Greedy Club”. His love for fragrant tobacco and very hot chilli peppers was quite well known. Cooking was a medium of expression to the great man, whose only pleasure was to serve others. In other words, he exhibited a motherly love in caring for his colleagues and friends. There are some interesting passages about the introduction of Tea into Bengali society, including the different names for Tea in Samskruta: Shleshwari, Girvit, Shyamaparni, Atandri, Kamalarasa and a local colloquial word, Fant.

The letters written by Swami Vivekananda are considered as one of the best treasure troves of Bengali literature that include some very detailed travelogue across the world. The book has some very wonderful photos from the life of Swami Vivekananda including some rare, uncommon ones.

The last part of the book is perhaps the hardest to read. These sections outline the excruciating life of Swami Vivekananda and his various battles with health disruptions and diseases. Diabetes is one of the biggest contributors, but the sheer number of challenges that Swami underwent is just too agonising. At one juncture, the author lists down around 31 different problems that were ailing Swami at various points in time. Alternating between starvation and food, Vivekananda’s body had taken a huge toll that led to a breakdown in multiple forms over a prolonged period of life. In his letters, Swami Vivekananda describes his conditions in great detail which churns the heart and stomach of the reader.

The question would be: Why is this relevant? There are 2 important aspects to consider. Swami Vivekananda lived a life filled with misery and suffering just like every common person i.e. he was as humane as the rest of us. However, the more important lesson to take away is that, even though he was undergoing challenging times with his body, he was steadfast in his dedication to the Math and ensuring that the teachings of his Guru were spread wide. Compared to earlier reads, when one reads this book in its entirety, we can appreciate the towering achievements of the great man, Swami Vivekananda. This book truly provides a great insight into why Swami Vivekananda is worshipped very widely even today.

The book is a definitely, very highly recommended. I am thankful to Sri Suryaprakash Pandit, eminent writer and journalist who recommended this book to me.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: The Monk As Man: The Unknown Life Of Swami Vivekananda By Sankar – A Profound Look Into The Man Behind The Monk appeared first on The Commune.

Tamil literature is quite expansive with very rich and extremely well-documented accounts of the various devotional saints and divine souls who would have walked on this holy land and left their permanent imprints on the same. During my visits to various kshetras, it became an ardent desire that I needed to read these classics but was limited due to my knowledge of Tamil. This book is a godsend for interested askatas like me who would like to savour the wisdom of the eons gone by in a language more convenient for us. Giri Trading has brought out many such wonderful books and we must express our gratitude to this wonderful organization in preserving and promoting the knowledge and culture of the past.

The author or rather as the title claims the one who retells Sri. S. Ponnuswamy is equally an inspirational stalwart. After a rich and long tenure with Indian Railways, he was attracted to Sekkhizhar’s work and took up the ardent task of collating and corroborating the facts and compiling the same into this wonderful book. Sri Ponnuswamy continued his academic interests post his work life and obtained his PhD degree at the age of 66, which is truly motivational for generations to come.

Periya Puranam has a very special and revered place in the echelons of Tamil literature. Originally named “Thiruthondar Puranam”, this monumental work is often regarded as “Tamil Vedam”, with a few verses being repeated during temple rituals and festivals. This arduous task of compiling the lives and times of 63 adiyars was originally taken by Sekkhizar (1113 – 1173 CE), a scholar and minister under the illustrious Kulathonga Chola. The original source was the 11-verse composition by Sundaramurthy Nayanar, followed by a slightly lengthier version of 100 verses by Nambiandar Nambi of which only 89 are available.

When Sekkhizhar completed compiling the illustrious lives and compositions of these wonderful divine saints, the extraordinary work was presented through Arangetram in Thillai Natarajar Kshetram for 1 year. Post the completion of the event, Sekkhizhar retired from the services of the king and took up the sanyasa route. When Sekkhizhar decided to document the work, it is said that Paramashiva himself gave the guidance to start with the word, “Ulagellam” (all the world over).

Periya Puranam details the extraordinary lives and times of 63 Adiyars. Beyond the devotional and spiritual aspects of the revered saints, this book also gives a comprehensive view of the social and political landscape of the times between the 3rd century BCE and the 9th century CE. The Periya Puranam also details the various kingdoms like Chozha, Pandya, and Cheras.

The life histories of each of the illuminated souls have inspired and continue to inspire generations to come. As captured in the foreword, these Adiyars belonged to the complete spectra of the society ranging from a king to various other professions. Almost all of them were householders, except for Thirumoolar (whose tale itself is very interesting). The only common thread across all these stories is the deep sense of devotion and dedication to Shiva and how they transcended everyday challenges to attain divinity and ultimately place under his grace as part of his ganas. While some of the accounts have brave valour and life-long dedication towards the composition of Thevarams, there are enough examples that include pure service and dedication to Shiva and all his Adiyars / followers.

Out of the 63 Adiyar histories, Sundaramurthy Nayanar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, and Thiru Gnanasambandar have the largest accounts, while some of the others are short, typically a life completely dedicated to the service of Shiva and his devotees. There are some very interesting similarities with the accounts of equally other divine personalities. For example, Sundarar didn’t enter Thiruvadhigai Veeerattanam as Thirunavukkarasar had cleared the temple premises with his own hands. Sundarar felt that it was blasphemous to set foot on such a holy ground. This reminded me of the famous episode of Sri Ramanujacharya climbing the seven holy hills of Tirumala on his knees as the hill was he was reluctant to set foot on them.

Shiva or rather Bhagwan has imparted very lessons across time immemorial. However, to implement the same in life and live through demanding situations requires a different sort of resolve. An example would be Meipporal Nayanar who venerated a traitor pretending to be a Shiva Bhakta purely due to his personal belief system or in another case Enathinatha Nayanar, who gave up his arms in front of his adversary who had adorned Vibhoothi / Bhasma. In Mahabharatha, we come across the famous Sri Krishna – Tulasi tulabharam episode. A similar episode is captured in the life of Amaraneedi Nayanar who gives up his entire wealth, family, and his own self to equal the weight of Bhagwan’s Komanam.

There are some famous personalities like Kannapa Nayanar whose dedication to Shiva is unparalleled and who remains immortalised next to Sri Kalahasteeshwara. The families of each of these bhaktas are equally venerable for their complete dedication and surrender to the ultimate reality. Manakkanjara Nayanar offering the hair of a soon-to-be-married daughter or the family of Siruthonda Nayanar or Kalikamba Nayanar who cut his wife’s hand for discriminating against their former servant who had betrayed are prime examples of these.

A common underlying thread is the role of Shiva in the lives of each of these Adiyars. His presence in the physical realm in disguise or guidance through dreams or extraordinary events like preventing Kaliya Nayanar from cutting his own head or the arms coming out and preventing Arivattaya Nayanar from sacrificing himself is sure to induce goosebumps in the reader’s mind.

While famous personalities like Thiru Gnanasambandar are well documented, there are some equally interesting tales like Thirumoolar whose teachings are immortalised in the famous “Thirumandiram” or Karaikal Ammaiyar who literally prayed for the appearance of the ghost and travels up the divine Kailasa hill on her head. These are just simple examples, but the book Periya Puranam has very rich and detailed accounts of each one of these very divine souls. The values exhibited by every single one of them are worth imbibing in some form or other and would benefit the readers immensely in their daily sadhana or self-improvement.

A very highly recommended book for everyone.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: Sekkizhar’s Periya Puranam By S. Ponnuswamy – A Timeless Journey Through The Lives Of 63 Divine Saints appeared first on The Commune.

Sringeri has been an abode of eternal devotion and it’s not a surprise that the last year has found a renewed, growing reverence and attachment to the Vyakhyana Simhasana of Sringeri. With my humble namaskara at the holy feet of current Jagadgurus and Adi Shankara Bhagatvatpada, I would like to write about my personal experiences with reading and more importantly experiencing this book. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi III is worshipped fervently over generations across the geography of this holy land. However, what amazes me is the fact that he continues to be the subject of immense study and evokes a deep interest amongst the asaktas alike across the spectrum.

This book, first published in 1964, provides a very deep insight into the life and times of the very revered and worshipped Jagadguru. This is perhaps one of the first accounts of Jagadguru’s life in Kannada, with references to multiple works like “The Saint of Sringeri” & “Sparks from the Divine Anvil” by R. Krishnaswamy Iyer (also known as Sri Jnananda Bharathi Swami).  There are other works on the life of Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi by other prominent authors like Prof. S. K. Ramachandra Rao that provide a uniquely different perspective on the life of the Jagadguru.

One of the major highlights of this book is the very comprehensive history of the Sharada Peetam with a very good insight into the various Jagadgurus starting from Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada. The book comprises some wonderful verses throughout the book. The book details the life of Adi Shankara including his pravara (Atri Gotra, Yaju Shakya) and details his journey through the holy land of Bharatvarsha, establishing the 4 peetas – Sharadha Peeta (Sringeri), Govardhana Peeta (Jagannath kshetra – Puri), Kalika Peeta (Dwarka) & Jyotir Peeta (Badrinath).

One of the very interesting insights into Sringeri is the fact that Chandramoulishwara Linga and Ratnagarbha Ganapati are considered to have been brought from Kailasa. Detailing the various Gurus in the unbroken parampara, the book details the rejuvenation of the Adhyatma during the times of Vidyateertha, Bharathi Teertha & Vidyaranya Swamigal. The contributions of the various rulers of the region across centuries including Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan make for a fascinating read, for the book not only expounds the spiritual and dharmic side of the matha, it also provides a very interesting picture of the historical events that occurred during the same time.

In other words, this book becomes an excellent socio-cultural-historical account of the land across centuries. The life and times of Jagadguru Sri Narasimha Bharathi VIII (also known as Sri Ugra Narasimha Bharathi) & the journey of Shivaswamy to become Jagadguru Sri Sachidananda Shivabhinava Narasimha Bharathi (also known as Abhinava Shankara) are captured in luminous terms, especially the establishment of Samskrutha Sanjeevani pathashala, identifying Adi Shankara’s birthplace at Kalady and getting a temple constructed at the site etc.

The book then provides the biographical sketch of Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi III Mahaswamigal. When one reads the trials and tribulations of the parents of Mahaswami in his poorvaashrama days i.e. Gopala Shastry and Lakshmamma, one is bound to find very deep empathy at the couple who would have lost 13 children just after their birth. When they decide to embark on a teertha yatra, they are blessed by Bhagwan Mahabaleshwar at Gokarna.

At this juncture, the author provides one of the most magnificent and comprehensive descriptions of Malenaadu’s ethereal beauty. Gopala Shastry and Lakshmamma are blessed with a boy who is named Sri Narasimha. The divine role in guiding the life of the young Vatu is observed at every step with the sitting Jagadguru taking a deep interest in the studies and progress of the young prodigy. Later, it can be observed that Jagadguru had chosen Narasimha as his successor in a very divine composition wherein every verse ends with “sarvajñanaṁ śrī nr̥sinhaṁ kuru śivadayitē “.

When the sitting Jagadguru i.e. Abhinava Shankara attains Mukti owing to age-related issues, the young Narasimha is brought to Sringeri and ordained into Sanyasa as per the wishes of the late guru. It needs to be observed that this decision wasn’t necessarily agreeable to all parties, but the ruling Mysore Maharaja, Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, ensured that the wishes of the Jagadguru were respected and adhered to by all related stakeholders.

The studies of the young Jagadguru were facilitated by very reputed scholars in all streams related to Dharmashastra. However, Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharathi III swami would meditate near the vana of his predecessor and Guru and would be able to find solutions to complex problems running in the mind. This form of Guru-Sishya communication would become a recurring theme throughout the book and also is one of the miraculous qualities attributed to the Jagadguru even today.

The rest of the book provides a very detailed insight into the various tours undertaken by the Jagadguru in spreading the message of Dharma across the land. However, the book is also replete with miracles associated with the Jagadguru. One such example is the Swami speaking in chaste Tamil on his very first tour to Tamil Nadu given he had no prior exposure to the language. The author uses excellent metaphors to describe the spiritual and cultural interconnect between geographical boundaries attributing the flow of 2 teerthas – Physical Kaveri and Jnana Ganga from Sringeri.

The book later describes the gradual withdrawal of Mahaswami from the daily functions of the matha and intensifying his sadhana toward self-realization. His trance-like demeanour is considered to be abnormal by many close associates, who hire a reputed doctor to check on the Mahaswami. What is supposed to be a scientific investigation turns out to be a humbling, but enlightening exercise to the respected doctor.

The book also details the selection of Sri Srinivasa as the successor and later ashramapravesha as Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha Mahaswamigal. After Sishya sweekara, the sitting Jagadguru’s withdrawal from routine life and focussing more on sadhana becomes much more intensified, as he is released from the chains of responsibility. Though he does come out of his Avadhuta-like trance sadhana and graces the audience with renowned scholars and leaders like Dr. Rajendra Prasad, and Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, he is more focused on remaining a recluse & prefers not to come in full public view.

There are more miraculous events attributed to the Mahaswami like enabling the Nepal king to reclaim his kingdom or being able to view and perceive the pain of people suffering from floods in Kerala when no one was even aware of such an event occurring at that time. Jagadguru Sri Chandrashekhara Bharathi III believed in focusing on one’s own sampradaya and didn’t appreciate conversions or oneupmanship across sampradayas. He was widely respected by people of all faiths and beliefs cutting across the spectrum. The final moments of his life where he decides to give up his mortal coil through Yoga are really hair-raising & quite shocking. The book concludes with a good chapter on the reigning Jagadguru of that time i.e. Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidyateertha and the continued work on various dharmic and social activities.

The book is such a wonderful gem that it’s a literal field of diamonds i.e. diamonds of timeless, eternal knowledge. Jagadguru always emphasized that one needs to perform sadhana to discover the Guru within oneself. If we can comprehend and assimilate even a fraction of Jagadguru’s teachings, life and society will be a much better place. A very divine and very highly recommended read.

Personal Note: I was lucky and blessed to receive the first edition of the book from Sri Ramprasad K V, whose parents originally owned the book. I can’t express enough my immense gratitude for blessing me with such a wonderful masterpiece. 

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: Maha Tapasvi Sri Chandrashekara Bharathi By Hurugalavadi Lakshminarasimha Sastry – The Living Light Of Sharada Peetham appeared first on The Commune.

When I heard about R Ashwin’s retirement from International Cricket, I instinctively picked up his book “I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story” instinctively. Known to be a very erudite, thinking cricketer, his retirement came as a complete shocker. It evoked an instantaneous desire to delve into the mind and life of this special cricketer. This book is all about Cricket, Life, and more Cricket. When one reads this book, it is unsurprising that Ashwin has achieved the high echelons of success and etched a name for himself in the annals of Indian and World Cricket history.

The foreword by the legend Rahul Dravid is beautifully penned in “I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story”. He describes this book as a Cricketing book and a Children’s book. I was perplexed at the use of the term ‘Children’s book, which became apparent towards the end.

Written in straightforward, conversational English, the reader is transported to the bylanes of Madras, where Ashwin starts to hone his skills. One of the book’s most endearing and beautiful aspects is the use of traditional words like Amma, Appa, and Thatha throughout “I Have the Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story”.

Like every middle-class family, Ashwin’s success has a huge string of sacrifices by his family. The roles played by each of his parents and grandfather are so beautifully described that one can’t help but smile at the elusive success and feel the pain of failures at other junctures. Ashwin’s school journey overlaps with many contemporaries who make their mark in domestic and international cricket. A special mention has to be made about Aniruddha Srikanth, whose relationship with Ashwin is sometimes quite amusing.

Ashwin is credited with being a thinking cricketer, and this book provides ample insight into the making of one. When medically down, Ashwin became a left-handed batsman to beat boredom. The book describes the rich and age-old tradition of tennis ball cricket integral to every kid’s life in India. Ashwin’s success and journey through the school cricket scene and transition to club cricket are equally interesting and quite revealing at times. A glimmer of the future is revealed with Ashwin rubbing shoulders with Rohit Sharma & Cheteshwar Pujara in U17 selection trials and Jadeja in the U-19 setup.

Ashwin was originally a batsman who transitioned to become a bowler and off-spinner at one. The trigger to this transition is a casual comment from his Amma. Considering Dinesh Karthik as his hero, Ashwin’s journey under C. K Vijaykumar and Vasu as coaches/mentors shape his initial journey with each predicting his eventual rise to stardom. However, it is the tutelage under W. V. Raman that shapes Ashwin to transcend from a good talent to the eventual greatness he would go on to achieve. Some of the advice is ageless, timeless wisdom: “Be fully immersed in the activity that you are engaged in”, “If the ego kicks in, I will kick you”.

The book is also a very good window into Ashwin’s personality. Being outspoken to the extent of rubbing the powers in the wrong way to having an ever-inquisitive brain to continue innovating, this book doesn’t provide a glossy picture of the man that he is. This book provides perhaps a more relatable, true human that he is with all his so-perceived imperfections. Ashwin is neither overawed by stars (but believes in carving his own identity) nor backs down from working on his inadequacies. His challenges with his own weight and fielding, especially the work with Gary Kirsten and Paddy Upton, are quite inspirational. Ashwin comes across as a constantly thinking, evolving mind – something that many of his contemporaries and commentators have spoken about.

Ashwin’s special relationship with MSD forms a good portion of his IPL and Indian journey. It is quite interesting to read the insights or ringside view into MSD’s mind and what goes on in the same. MSD employing the age-old management concept of Pygmalion is one of the highlights of the book. One shouldn’t miss the special episode on Sreesanth. Ashwin does speak very highly about Gautam Gambhir as his captain. Personally, I wonder if the perception would remain the same now.

Beyond cricket, Ashwin provides ample view into friendships and relationships. A Kutti love story is blossoming in the book. The book ends with the high of the 2011 World Cup win as well as CSK’s first title in 2010. As the book was published in 2024, I am surprised by the conclusion of the book with the events of more than a decade back.

Hence, I feel this is a children’s book as it captures Ashwin’s childhood journey and his initial rise to stardom. It also captures the beautiful family relationships and his journey with Prithi. I am sure there’s much more to his life, especially his journey outside CSK, his stupendous success in Test Cricket, and his phase of life beyond cricket.

There’s a lot more to come about Ashwin. I presume this is just the beginning. As the famous saying goes “A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step”. This book is definitely the first step into understanding the life and mind of Ravichandran Ashwin.

Brilliantly written. Highly recommended read.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: I Have The Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story By R Ashwin – The Heart And Mind Behind The Cricket Legend appeared first on The Commune.

S L Bhyrappa is one of the doyens in Kannada literature whose works have found wide acclaim across a spectrum of people. His books are based on socially relevant topics with a subtle undercurrent of age-old philosophical wisdom baked into the narrative. Saakshi was initially released in Kannada in 1986, while the English translation was released in 2017. While the story of this book is set in rural Karnataka in the 1950s-60s, it is not surprising that the same is relevant today in the modern context.

In this review, I aim to delve into the metaphorical analysis of the novel and its characters and their pertinence in the modern-day context.

The story revolves around the family of Parameshwarayya of Bilikere and a certain event that triggers multiple events impacting all the stakeholders. Bhyrappa starts the book with a multi-perspective analysis of the event and its implications. The reader is masterfully transported to the individual lives of the various characters, as well as their trials and tribulations. At the same time, the story is quite complex, with multiple sub-plots and unexpected twists and turns culminating in a soul-searching question. However, when one steps back and introspects, we can decipher the thin yet strong undercurrent of Vedantic wisdom encompassing the complete narrative and the author’s brilliant attempt at communicating these nuggets through his characters’ words, actions, and thoughts.

This book encompasses the Chaturvida Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha) as one of the arcs, while the play of shadripus (6 evils) in the daily lives of the characters provides the base on which the story is constructed. Kama, as lust/carnal desire, is a very strong character of the book. In the book, Bhyrappa provides very deep insights into the functioning of the human mind, its deep impact due to overpowering lust, and its life-altering consequences.

Parameshwarayya, who commits suicide for uttering a lie, becomes a preta and presents his case in the court of Yamadharma. Parameshwarayya represents the true manifestation of Dharma, wherein he upholds the age-old practices of his home. A person who confines himself to the cause performs true nishkama karma, i.e., action without attaching fruits to it. Parameshwarayya does have a lapse in his character when he uncharacteristically hits his daughter Savitri and the reader is left confounded by his extreme reaction. However, the final twist in the tale reveals the true reason for this extreme reaction. Despite being focused on the path of Dharma, fatherly instincts provoke him to break the fundamental laws of Dharma. Yamadharma bestows a unique boon to his preta, to be a non-judgemental and non-influential witness i.e. Saakshi to the individual experiences of the characters. In a way, the author is highlighting the fact that we need to be an impartial witness to our surroundings and understand the intricacies of life. There are multitudes of factors impacting every single event and one needs to disassociate themselves from being the centre of attention to every single event.

Ramakrishna, son of Parameshwarayya, comes across as a true successor to his father, in terms of upholding Dharma and taking the meaning of Nishakama Karma to a different plane. As a human, one of his limitations is his extreme Krodha (Anger – one of the shadripus), a fact that is reiterated multiple times across the book. However, beyond a point, he takes solace in the spirituality books, a timely reminder to the readers to consider this path as part of their lives. Ramakrishna embodies the true teachings of Gita, wherein he performs his actions, whether he likes it or not, but stays within the boundaries of Dharma. Irrespective of the treatment meted out by his own father-in-law, Nagappa who is an embodiment of Lobha (Greed), he performs his duties without any repulsion or abhorrence. While his wife Sukanya and son Ganesha are motivated towards the material benefits of life, while ignoring to perform a true self-introspection, Ramakrishna comes across as a very balanced individual maintaining his composure and his resolve to stick to Dharma. Near the conclusion, when a major earth-shattering twist is revealed about Manjayya, irrespective of his inner turmoil and perhaps the exploding anger, Ramakrishna’s resolve to perform his duties despite the revelations is truly inspirational. In a way, the author reminds the readers that life is filled with unexpected challenges, but one can still choose to be a person like Ramakrishna.

Satyappa, the son-in-law of Parameshwarayya, is a very interesting character with a very wide arc of transformation and realization. Being a Gandhian, following the teachings of Mahatma, he tries to uplift the lives of the underprivileged in his own way. Relevant social messages like Cooperation, Dairy Farming, and Sericulture are embedded into the narrative to provide a perspective of what can truly be achieved. Satyappa also realizes his limitations in influencing a wider community and realigns his goals to be more apt for his circle of influence.  However, the true relevance of Satyappa lies in his inner journey and massive transformation in his character arc. A true follower of Gandhian principles, he does succumb to his subdued lust (owing to the premature death of his beloved wife) and makes a cardinal mistake. From the inner turmoil leading to an easy path of suicide to transcending that thought, embracing reality and taking a bold step to accept and make amends is truly inspirational. He represents the human of what he can become once the realization dawns upon oneself. Beyond the Gandhian that he is, he does come across as a realist in his relationship with his sister-in-law Savitri.

Savitri, the daughter of Parameshwarayya, is truly an inspirational character in the book. As a young unbridled carefree soul, she is highly opinionated and adamant on her choice of spouse. She is so blinded by Kama (Lust) that she is unable to decipher the uncharacteristic behaviour of her father. However, when realization dawns upon her, she transforms into a very strong woman who takes charge of her life. Unwilling to be a simple victim of circumstances, she starts to lead a life of her own while ensuring that she maintains her relationships and honours all her commitments towards them. Seventeen years later, when she becomes a victim of marital rape (yes, the author has brilliantly woven this concept), she undergoes a string of trials and tribulations within her own mind. Finally, she makes a series of bold decisions, some unconventional and quite contrary to modern societal concepts. If there was a character who represented Women’s Liberation, Savitri would truly be one.

Manjayya, son-in-law of Parameshwarayya and husband of Savitri, is the key central character of the book. He represents the true embodiment of uncontrolled Kama (Lust) who weaponizes the Kama and uses his charm to seduce almost every woman he comes across. He has no moral compass (until very late in the book) that allows him to lead a carefree life of his own choice. Manjayya’s actions touch the life of every character in the book irreversibly and form the crux of the narrative. Filled with Mada (arrogance) and driven by Lobha (Greed), Manjayya embodies the true manifestation of the shadripus with Kama being his weapon. However, from a metaphorical sense, Manjayya represents the Maya or the veil of the world. Manj-u in Kannada translates to Fog, a false screen that hides the reality or truth behind it. If we are enamoured by the fog and don’t strive to pursue the truth of Dharma, our own downfall is certain. The revelations at the end of the book could be repulsive, but indicative of the results for following the path of Adharma.

Lakkoo is another character, driven by lust lands up bearing the consequences of her actions (karma) in the most unfortunate manner. Her character is a timely reminder that we are responsible for our actions & results which could boomerang in the most unexpected and unfortunate manner.

Beyond these central characters, two other characters deserve a mention. Sarojakshi is another independent self-willed woman, who doesn’t shy to break the age-old norms and has a distinct personality of her own. However, her transformation from an angry wife to a submissive woman was quite unexplainable. Perhaps, she too is reflective of the scenario where Kama becomes overbearing and overpowering emotion, that subdues and masks the realities of life. Dr. Hasheem is another character who personifies Nishkama Karma, devoted to his profession despite the insults, yet has a compassionate heart and individuality that he asserts at the right time.

This book by Bhyrappa is replete with very philosophical tenets embedded in the interaction between its characters. One could consider this as a simple story, a commentary on society, or a true journey into the internal soul. We are the true Saakshi (witness) to our own self. A masterful philosophical treatise masterfully narrated by Bhyrappa, a gifted writer. A very highly recommended read.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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The post Book Review: Saakshi By SL Bhyrappa – Timeless Wisdom In Modern Context appeared first on The Commune.

Author and historian TS Krishnan recently published a Tamil translation of Ganga Devi’s Madhura Vijayam. The book is titled கங்கா தேவியின் மதுரா விஜயம் (Ganga Deviyin Madhura Vijayam). Before getting into his translation, here is some history. Beyond being a passionate Madurai-ite and a history buff, a few other things drew me close to Ganga Devi and her work around fifteen years ago. My interest was kindled by a few usual tropes that people use to deride Sanatana Dharma: Education for women was (only) made possible by the Dravidian movement, no one but Brahmins had access to Sanskrit, are some of the popular ones still being peddled.

Sanskrit And Women

We don’t have to go way back into the Vedic age to cite the examples of Gārgī Vāchaknavī, Vadava Pratitheyi, and Sulabha Maitreyi to prove our point. Many women scholars of Sanskrit existed around the time of Ganga Devi, and most were not Brahmins. Rajasekara, a dramatist from 950 CE, says that gender isn’t a determining factor; it is the inner genius.

Women like Tirumalambika, who lived around 1530 CE, wrote a Champukavya, Varadambikaparinaya, immortalising Achutadevaraya’s marriage to Varadambika. Achutadevaraya was the successor of Krishnadevaraya, the emperor of Vijayanagara. We then had Ramabhadrambal in Thanjavur, who wrote Raghunathabhyudaya, honouring her husband, Raghunatha Nayak (1600 CE), who was part of the Thanjavur Nayak Dynasty. His court also patronised another woman, poet Madhuravani, who translated into Sanskrit the Mahakavya that Raghunatha Nayak wrote in Telugu, Valmikicharitram.

Historically, numerous women poets and scholars of Sanskrit stood as tall as their male counterparts. Most of these great women were not Brahmins, dispelling the Dravidian trope that non-Brahmins were prohibited from studying Sanskrit.

Madhura Vijayam – Real History and Some Personal History

Madhura Vijayam or Virakamparayacharita is the history of Kumara Kampana, the prince of Vijayanagara and the son of Bukka I, the emperor who succeeded his brother, Harihara I, as the emperor of the Vijayanagara empire. The work traces Kumara Kampana from birth to his conquering and liberating Madurai from the tyrannical Islamic Sultanate. The author of this book is Kumara Kampana’s Queen consort, Ganga Devi, a Sanskrit poetess par excellence.

The work dates from around 1380 CE but was considered lost until about 108 years ago. In 1916, Pandit Ramasvami Sastriar discovered a palm-leaf manuscript of this great work in Trivandrum. But that wasn’t the complete work. There are many incomplete parts. It is unclear how much of this great work is lost. Apart from this manuscript, there are supposed to be two more, one in Lahore and another in Trivandrum (a second).

This great work was salvaged, printed in Trivandrum, and made available in 1924. The original, which was edited and published by Harihara Sastri and Srinivasa Sastri in 1924, retailed for twelve Annas, a book whose PDF version I could read.

The other two—the First, “The Conquest of Madhura by Ganga Devi,” translated by Dr. Shankar Rajaraman and Venetia Kotamraju—were published in 2013. This beautiful translation in English has the Sanskrit verses side by side and is a lovely book I lost before one of the translators, Dr. Shankar, was kind enough to send me an autographed (in Sanskrit) copy in 2021. The second is a Tamil translation கங்காதேவியின் ‘மதுராவிஜயம்’ (Gangadeviyin ‘Maduravijayam’) by Srivaishnavasri. A. Krishnamacharyar, published in 2010. This work starts with some background history and then goes into the Tamil translation of the verses.

கங்கா தேவியின் மதுராவிஜயம் – The Translation By TS Krishnan

This is an excellent, easy-to-handle Tamil translation of the verses of Ganga Devi’s work. Krishnan, an IT professional and history buff, knows the syntax of presenting translations. He doesn’t jump straight into the work but provides you with a lot of history and background before he takes you to visit Ganga Devi’s work. The background he gives is like a perfect starter before the main course is served, the Tamil translation of the great work.

The translation covers the nine cantos of the work. Each canto starts with a summary of what one can expect, followed by the verse-by-verse translation of the work. Krishnan also provides timely interludes between verses, explaining certain things implied by the author but that a person reading a translation might not grasp. The author’s extensive research is apparent in his presentation.

Why Read The Book? 

This is in lucid Tamil prose anyone can read, understand, and appreciate.
Understand our real history and start discerning good from bad.
To realise what our ancestors have gone through to save our temples and culture and start working towards restoring Bharat’s glory.
So, if you read Tamil and want to learn more about our history and culture. Grab this book.
Let us not forget
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः
Tiruvalluvar says this more directly
அறத்தினூஉங்கு ஆக்கமும் இல்லை அதனை
மறத்தலின் ஊங்கில்லை கேடு.
Thirukkural (Chapter 4, The Glorification of Righteousness, 31)
There is no greater good than Righteousness, nor no greater evil than the forgetting of it.
The Kural or The Maxims of Thiruvalluvar by VVS Aiyer

Raja Baradwaj is a marketing communications professional who works with a leading technology multinational company. He is an avid reader, history buff, cricket player, writer, and Sanskrit and Dharma Sastra student.

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