Satya Sudha- A Critical Evaluation of Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri's Creative Works (An Old and Rare Book)

The present book is a first full-fledged critical appraisal of the vast array of the creative works of Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri who is now a phenomenon in himself in touching great heights in the widely different fields of creative and critical writing. The entire mass of the poetry of this outstanding Sanskrit poet of the contemporary era comprising more than five thousand stanzas spread over three Mahakavyas, three Khandakavyas, one Prabandhakavya, a corpus of letters in verse and shorter works, has been subjected here to a detailed scrutiny. The study serves to refute the unkind charge that elegant poetry in Sanskrit is a thing of the past. It also underlines the point that intelligent non-adherence to theory at times yields richer dividends than smug adherence to it. In highlighting the poet's skilful and perceptive handling of the medium, it forcefully projects the infinite potential of the Sanskrit language in bringing out the minutest contours of the most complex thoughts. By focusing on the poet's massive contribution to creative writing in Sanskrit in a powerful and vibrant style, the book adds a new chapter to the interpretation of contemporary Sanskrit literature.

Born at Kharwan, now in the Yamunanagar District of Haryana, Dr. Satya Vrat Varma received his early education at the village school. He took his M.A. degree in Sanskrit from the Punjab University with high First class marks. After a stint at the D.A.V. College, Amritsar, he joined the Rajasthan Education Service in 1964. He got the Ph.D. degree from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur on a study of Jaina Sanskrit Mahākāvyas. The zenith of his academic career came with the conferment on him of the D.Litt. degree by the Kumaun University, Nainital for the present work.

Dr. Satya Vrat Varma represents a happy blend of a devoted teacher, vigorous re searcher, forceful writer and an eloquent speaker. Though a man of many parts, the Jaina Belles letters are his forte. His regular researches and contributions to the discipline have brought him name and fame. Eminently equipped in English, Sanskrit and Hindi, he writes in all the three languages with equal ease and felicity. His writings include, till date, seven books and one hundred research articles. Basically a Sanskritist, his interests stretch to such areas as Archaeology, Numismatics and Iconography.

Despite its traditional moorings, the contemporary Sanskrit literature has emerged, over the years, as a vibrantly distinct entity, well attuned to the changing milieu. While drawing sustenance from the vast mass of earlier literature, which in its totality symbolizes the ancient wisdom of the nation, the present-day Sanskritist has been equal to the new horizons and challenges, unleashed by emerging social and political forces, and intimate interaction with diverse languages and literatures. That has happily resulted in broadening the dimensions of the contemporary literature and unravelling the possibilities of the Sanskrit speech to voice the varied contours and nuances of modern thought. The contemporary Sanskrit literature is singularly fortunate to be aborted with a galaxy of stalwarts who would do proud any age and literature.

**Contents and Sample Pages**