‘Yogamaye’ by Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri (republished in ‘Viveka Prabha’ Magazine – August 2024)

ಶ್ರೀರಾಮಕೃಷ್ಣ ಪರಮಹಂಸರ ಜೀವನಚರಿತ್ರೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಅನಾದಿಯಾಗಿ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಂಡುಬರುವ ಅನುಭವ ಸಿದ್ದವಾದ ಆಧ್ಯಾತ್ಮಿಕ ತತ್ವಗಳಿಗೆ ನಿದರ್ಶನಗಳು ಪುನಃ ಪುನಃ ಕಂಡುಬರುವುದು ಆಶ್ಚರ್ಯವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಸರ್ವಮತ ಸಮನ್ವಯರೂಪವಾದ ಅದ್ವೈತಾನುಭೂತಿಗೆ ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷ ದೃಷ್ಟಾನ್ತಗಳು ಸಿಕ್ಕುತ್ತವೆ. ಭಗವಾನ್ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಮಕೃಷ್ಣರ ಒಂದೊಂದು ಸಾಧನೆಯಲ್ಲು ಆಯಾ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯ ಗ್ರಂಥಗಳಲ್ಲುಕ್ತವಾದ ತತ್ವಗಳು, ಹಂತಗಳು ನೈಸರ್ಗಿಕವಾಗಿ ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತವಾಗಿವೆ. ಶೈವ, ವೈಷ್ಣವ, ಕ್ರೈಸ್ತ, ಬೌದ್ಧ, ಇಸ್ಲಾಂ ಪಂಥಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಧಿಸಿರುವ ಆಯಾ ಸಾಧನ ಕ್ರಮಗಳ ಫಲಗಳಿಗೆ ಜೀವಂತ ನಿದರ್ಶನಗಳು ಕಂಡುಬರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸರ್ವಮತಗಳನ್ನೊಳಗೊಂಡು ಎಲ್ಲಕ್ಕು ಅತೀತವಾದ ಆದ್ವಿತೀಯಾನುಭವವೇ ಪರಮಧ್ಯೇಯವೆಂದು ಸಿದ್ದವಾಗಿದೆ.

ಶ್ರೀ ಶಂಕರಾಚಾರ್ಯರು ಹೇಳಿದಂತೆ ಮೋಕ್ಷವು ಉತ್ಪಾದ್ಯ, ವಿಕಾರ್ಯ, ಸಂಸ್ಕಾರ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಆಪ್ಯ ಎಂಬ ಚತುರ್ವಿದ ದ್ರವ್ಯ ವಿಲಕ್ಷಣವಾಗಿರುವುದರಿಂದ ಸಾಧ್ಯವಲ್ಲ; ಸಿದ್ದವಾದುದು ಸಿದ್ದವಾಗಿರುವುದನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುವುದು ಅವಿದ್ಯಾ ಮತ್ತು ಅಜ್ಞಾನ ರೂಪವಾದ ಮಾಯೆಯಿಂದ ಪ್ರಚೋದಿತವಾಗಿದೆ.

To read the full article, Click here. 

'Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri' by Dr B. R. Gopal (Historiography of Karnataka)

I consider myself fortunate for having been invited by the Mythic Society to present a paper on the contributions of Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri to research in Karnataka History & Culture. I have had the fortune of sitting at his feet to learn for more than five years from 1949 onwards. I joined the History Honours class in 1949 when I met for the first time Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri. I may be excused for a personal note with which I am starting this paper, for the impact of his personality upon me is something that could only be experienced and not easily expressed. When he first engaged the class he was unimpressive. Amidst the well-dressed teaching faculty of the Maharaja's College he was the most unkempt, if I could say so, with the trouser almost dangling, a loose coat uncared for, thick spectacles covering the troubling eyes and seemingly unsocial. Often he would rush into the class with even a lungi. He never missed a class. Once or twice, we, for some reason or the other, took a holiday but the next day we could find him commence his lecture on a fresh topic with a preface that the earlier topic had been covered by him in the previous class which had not been attended by us en masse, but attended only by him and he would take it a lecture delivered, what if the students were not there! This made us take care that we would not miss his class.

To read the full article, Click Here. 

Chitradurgada Bakhairu (ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದ ಬಖೈರು)

ಇತಿಹಾಸ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆ

ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದ ಬಖೈರು

[ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದವರು - ಶ್ರೀ ಹುಲ್ಲೂರು ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ ಜೋಯಿಸರು, ಕ್ಯೂರೇಟರ್, ಪ್ರಾಚ್ಯ ಸಂಶೋಧನ ಮ್ಯೂಸಿಯಮ್, ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗ]

ಲೇಖಾoಕ – ೧

ಮಹಾರಾಷ್ಟ್ರರು ಅಭ್ಯುದಯವನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ತಮ್ಮ ಪಕ್ಷದ ರಾಯಭಾರಿಗಳನ್ನು ನಾನಾ ಅರಸುಗಳ ಆಸ್ಥಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಿಸಿದರು. ಹಾಗೆ ನಿಯಮಿತವಾದ ರಾಯಭಾರಿಗಳು ಆಯಾ ರಾಜ್ಯದ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಸ್ಥಿತಿಯನ್ನು ಕುರಿತು ಪೇಷ್ವೆಯವರಿಗೆ ದೀರ್ಘವಾದ ರಾಜಕೀಯ ಪತ್ರಗಳನ್ನು ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು, ಈ ಪತ್ರಗಳಿಗೆ "ಬಖೈರು" ಎಂದು ಹೆಸರು ರೂಢವಾಗಿದೆ. ಇಂತಹ ಬಖೈರುಗಳನ್ನು ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಸಂಶೋಧಕರಾದ ಶ್ರೀ ಹುಲ್ಲೂರು ಶ್ರೀನಿವಾಸ ಜೋಯಿಸರು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿದ್ದು ವಾಚಕರಿ ಪರಿಚಯ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಡಲು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಪೂನಾ ಪೇಶ್ವೆ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತ ಮಾಧವರಾಯನ ಕಾಲದ ಪತ್ರವ್ಯವಹಾರವನ್ನಿಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ.

ಮದಕರಿನಾಯಕನಿಗೆ ಹೈದರಾಲಿಯ ಪತ್ರ

ಪೂನಾ ಪೇಷ್ವೆಗೆ ಮರಾಠಿ ರಾಯಭಾರಿ ವಿವರಣೆ

ಮಹಾರಾಜೇಶ್ರೀ ಮಾಧವರಾವ್ಪಂತ್ (ಪೂನಾ ಪೆಶ್ವೆ, ಜನನ ೧೮ - ೪ - ೧೭೭೪, ಮರಣ ೨೭ - ೧೦ - ೧೭೯೫; ಆಗರ್ಭ ಶ್ರೀಮಂತ ಛತ್ರಪತಿಯು ಈ ಮಗುವಿನ ೪೦ನೇ ದಿನವೇ ಪೇಶ್ವೆಯ ಅಧಿಕಾರವನ್ನು ಕೊಟ್ಟನು)...........

To read the full text, Click Here. 

Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri's works in Kannada by B. R. Gopal

The purpose of this paper is to acquaint reader, specially the non-Kannadigas, with Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri’s works in Kannada. Numerous Kannada articles written by him have been published in various learned journals and in several special issues of daily newspapers, weeklies, etc. Many in Karnataka still remember the great controversy he raised by publishing his work on Purandaradasa in 1964 during the great saint-poet’s quatercentenary celebrations all over the State. In putting forth his views Dr. Sastri had entirely relied on that material that he had collected and was not swayed by any religions considerations.

His books in Kannada have been many. His essays on the great men of history ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮಹಾಪುರುಷರು in a Text Book edited by Dr. M. H. Krishna more than 25 years ago have retained their popularity to this day. Since then Dr. Sastri has written profusely in Kannada: ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ (Indian Culture), completed in 1944; ರೋಮನ್ ಚಕ್ರಾಧಿಪತ್ಯದ ಚರಿತ್ರೆ (History of the Roman Empire, 1948-49); ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಯ ರೂಪರೇಖೆಗಳು (Outlines of World History, 1957) which is even today a very good text book  for the undergraduate students; ಪುರಾತತ್ವ ಶೋಧನೆ (Archaeology, 1960); ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ (Hoysala Architecture, 1964) etc. This brief paper confines itself to an assessment of only three of Dr. Sastri’s Kannada works viz., ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ, ಪುರಾತತ್ವ ಶೋಧನೆ and ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪ.

Bharatiya Samskriti (ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಸ್ಕೃತಿ) was written in the pre-independence years, in 1944 though it was published only a decade later in 1954. In the preface to the book, also written in 1944, he summarises briefly the contributions of India to world culture. By then Oswald Spengler’s Decline of the West had been published and Toynbee had put forward his challenge and response theory of cultures in his first few volumes of the study of History. These so-called philosophers of History, more specially Spengler, had forecast almost the end of human civilization and said that human society stood on the brink of destruction. Progress of science, Imperialism, Capitalism, weakness of religion and religious orders, Nationalism and the like were described by many of these philosophers as reasons for such a breakdown. Reviewing these Dr. Sastri in his preface says that the entire problem could be analysed in three ways. Politically it was a conflict between Monarchy, Despotism and Democracy; economically there was a growing gap between the rich and the poor; ethically mutual suspicions, injustice, deceit among the nations and lack of freedom of action and thought in individual’s life-these were the bases on which human civilization stood and which were now sinking.   It was essential to find suitable answers for the problems that arose out of it and Dr. Sastri said that Indian Culture had in it the answer.

To read rest of the article, Click Here. 

New Book: "The Monarch of Mysore - His Highness Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar - A Biography" (English Translation)

(Kannada original: "ಆಳಿದ ಮಹಾಸ್ವಾಮಿಯವರು" - ಸಿ. ಕೆ. ವೆಂಕಟರಾಮಯ್ಯ (೧೯೪೧)(ನಾಲ್ವಡಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣರಾಜ ಒಡೆಯರ್ ರವರ ಜೀವನ ಚರಿತ್ರೆ)

We are pleased to feature a new publication titled "The Monarch of Mysore - His Highness Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar - A Biography". This is an English translation of the Kannada original titled "Aalida Mahiswamigalu" written in 1941 by C. K. Venkataramaiah. Since the original Kannada publication in 1941, the book had not seen a reprint till date, less so a translation. The Kannada book remains as one of the most definitive biographies of the erstwhile monarch written till date. Now, it's English translation hopes to bring this comprehensive tome to a larger, global audience. The translator - S. Naganath, son of Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri has also translated Dr. S. Srikanta Sastri's much acclaimed Kannada cult classic "Bharatiya Samskruti" into English under the title of "Indian Culture - A Compendium of Indian History, Culture and Heritage" in 2021. The book cover has been designed by renowned photographer and graphic artist S. L. Ravishankar. 

This publication, like the earlier translation, has been published by Notion Press Publishers Pvt. Ltd, Chennai and is available in Hardcover, Paperback and eBOOK formats across popular online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and so on. The book runs to about 580 pages and features around 76 black and white photographs chronicling the life and times of  HH Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Some of the storylines, anecdotes and cross-references sourced from correspondences to and from the monarch shed an unique light on this period in the history of the princely state of Mysore. This monarch's early years, his training in administrative matters under the British appointee Stuart Fraser, his travels, the various decisions he took which later served as the very foundation of the modern state of Mysore (and later Karnataka) offer a rare glimpse into the makings of this well known Maharaja. 

We present the blurb from the English translation verbatim, to offer a taste of what the book has to offer: 

In 1399 A. D., Sri Yaduraya Wodeyar founded the “Yadu Vamsa” (dynasty). Later many illustrious rulers expanded the Mysore state in four directions.

This biographical work “Aalida Mahaswamigalu” by Rajasevasaktha Padmasri C. K. Venkataramaiah traces the ebb and tide of history of Mysore. The British Government decided upon restitution of monarchy by appointing Sri Chamarajendra Wodeyar as the successor to Sri Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar in 1881. This enlightened Western educated ruler began modernisation of Mysore through administrative reforms. This fruitful thirteen years reign came to an end by his untimely death.

Sri Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar aged ten years was appointed as the next successor to the throne by Queen-Empress Victoria. The mother of the young Prince was appointed as the caretaker regent of the Mysore state. The Queen Dowager Sri Vanivilasa Sannidhana Kempananjammani ruled the state ably and efficiently for eight years (1895 – 1902).

After the investiture ceremony in 1902 by Lord Curzon the glorious golden direct rule of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar dawned. The Maharaja began modernising the Mysore state through political and economic reforms. The establishment of University of Mysore, Shivana Samudra Hydro-Electric Project, Bhadravathi Iron and Steel factory, KRS dam across river Cauvery, Chemical Industries, Sandalwood oil and soaps & detergents factory, Mysore Silk weaving factory etc are some of his achievements.

The Maharaja adhered to the tenets of “Raja Dharma” and the people called him “Raja Rishi”. Mahatma Gandhi described the Mysore state as “Rama Rajya”. He worked diligently for the emancipation of dalits and women. This progressive rule of the Maharaja came to an abrupt end with his sudden death in 1940 (56 years old). His successor Maharaja Sri Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar continued the benevolent rule for seven years (1940 – 1947) and as Raja Pramukh for three years more (1947 – 1950).

This definitive biography of Nalwadi surveys the seventy years of the historic rule of the Mysore Wodeyars in a comprehensive manner.

To find out more, Click here. 

'The Universal Message of Hindu Dharma according to Swami Vivekananda' by Prof. S. Naganath

In the 21st century, Swami Vivekananda is considered as a rationalist with secular outlook. He interpreted Hindu Dharma in the light of Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings. Max Muller in his book on “Sri Ramakrishna” quotes the words of Ramakrishna, “As a lamp does not burn without oil, so a man cannot live without God”. He told modern man God was essential to man’s existence. According to John. C. Travell, a congregational minister, “Ramakrishna found God in each religion because he did not merely take from them what fitted his own ideas, he sought first to know them from the inside, to understand them for themselves. His devotion was always to God and the truth first. His belief in the underlying unity and harmony of all religions was an expression of that learning.

To read the full article, Click Here.

An overview of “Three hundred Ramayanas”- A critical essay by A. K. Ramanujan - by Prof. S. Naganath

This critical essay is written by the well-known bilingual poet, linguist and scholar A. K. Ramanujan. This essay also carries a subtitle “Five examples and three thoughts on translation”. It is an established fact that the two great epics “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” have far reaching influence over all of the Indian subcontinent and South – East Asia. During the last two centuries, its appeal has become global. The date of Rama’s birth, the date of Rama’s battle against Ravana and the date of writing of Ramayana by sage Valmiki and the Uttara Ramayana as an added appendage at a later date, all have become topics of unresolved debate.

A. K. Ramanujan gives one version of Ramayana in the beginning of the essay, which deals with the deaths of Lakshmana and Rama. Lord Rama was sitting on his throne and his ring fell through a crevice in the ground and reached the nether world. His trusted Lieutenant Hanuman was sent to fetch the ring as he could reduce his body to the size of an atom. In the absence of Hanuman, Brahma and noted sage Vasistha came to parley with king Rama. Lakshmana was asked to stand guard at the door and not allow anyone to disturb the confidential talks.

To read the full article, Click here.

An Ancient Seer in Modern Age - Sri Aurobindo (1872 - 1950) by Prof. S. Naganath

Sri Aurobindo’s full name is Aurobindo Acroyd Ghose. His alma mater Cambridge University classified “Acroyd” as a Christian Middle name. His father Dr. Krishnadhan Ghose was a civil surgeon and his mother Swarnalatha Devi (Basu) hailed from a Bengali aristocratic family. His ardent disciples consider his date of birth 15th August 1872 as an ominous indicator of India’s future date of liberation from British colonial Sri Aurobindo’s full name is Aurobindo Acroyd Ghose. His alma mater Cambridge University classified “Acroyd” as a Christian Middle name. His father Dr. Krishnadhan Ghose was a civil surgeon and his mother Swarnalatha Devi (Basu) hailed from a Bengali aristocratic family. His ardent disciples consider his date of birth 15th August 1872 as an ominous indicator of India’s future date of liberation from British colonial shackles.

Dr. K. D. Ghose was a diehard Anglophile and a great lover of Western culture. He sent his three sons to England for proper English school and University education. Sri Aurobindo the youngest son was only seven when he was sent to a distant foreign land six thousand miles away. The three boys were boarders in a clergyman’s house in Manchester city with strict instructions to the caretakers that these three boys must not be allowed to interact with any Indians, and not speak any Indian tongue during their stay in England.

Sri Aurobindo later went to St. Paul’s School in London and later went to Cambridge University on a senior classical scholarship to King’s College. He earned a First Class classical Tripos third division certificate after two years of study and did not graduate from Cambridge University as he did not pursue his final year studies there. Sri Aurobindo had become a true WOG (Westernised Oriental Gentleman) with a good knowledge of Greek, Latin, French, German, Italian and Spanish. He was a European scholar of classics and he did not know any Indian languages including his mother tongue Bengali and the classical language of India Sanskrit. He wrote the I.C.S open examination and got selected in 1890. He deliberately misled the compulsory horse riding test conducted by the examiners and hence got disqualified. Then His Highness Sayyaji Rao Gaekwad of Baroda offered him a job in Baroda Civil Service.

To read full article, Click Here.

'BAGINA" - S. V. Ranganna Felicitation Volume (1954)

 

For more details, Click Here.