Fourteen Novels of Sanskrit

This book is a first-ever attempt to say something about some representative Sanskrit novels in last fifty years. The author has_ therefore, selected fourteen novels of fourteen different writers who represent various corners of the Nation. Hopefully, the readers would get the fragrance of fourteen different flowers in one garden through this book.

The author Dr. Pramod Bharatiya, a Ph.D. from the University of Delhi, has been writing for Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu and Angika journals with equal authority from last fifteen years. Apart from the research papers, he has published a dozen of stories in the journals of above mentioned languages. Some of them were broadcast on All -India Radio, Delhi- also. Dr. Bharatiya was a compere there for about six years. Presently, he is teaching Sanskrit literature in Mussoorie's Municipal Post Graduate College.

Many changes have been occurred in techno-scientific outlook of man in modern times and the process is more acute as this century draws closer to the new one. The knowledge of basics, however, remains primitive as that of at the very dawn of human civilisation. The ancient echo of Indian mind renews its spirit every time to search something new that may provide a way of life both simple and absolute ensuring progress and peace. To such an end and to fulfil this aim, the Sanskrit writers beginning from the Vedic period to nearing end of twentieth century have tried to build Indian characters who breathe in both finite and infinite planes of human life. Most of Sanskrit writers have always tried to focus the world-view of life through a meagre peace of literature in a time-tested mental network.

Sanskrit, both' as a language and a Knowledge-base, provides four major streams such as : 1. Infinite stream, 2. Source stream, 3. Accessible stream, and 4. Associative stream. It is very difficult to find all these streams combined at one place. However, the reflections are available in some literary writings. The Sanskrit Literature produced in post-independence period is not a goodbye-exercise of the tradition (as that found in many cases of regional literature) but a continuity of long-range stature of Sanskrit and its out-of-area with new and coordinative vision incorporating sharp spirit of deftness and perpetual indications of human basics.

The readership of modern Sanskrit writings is so disappointing that one cannot find much critical reflections on a work. To speak of Sanskrit novels is just a challenge of daunting, but at the same time, the goal is definitely worth pursuing. The Sanskrit novels of recent times should be put into critical scrutiny in respect of renovation of themes, aesthetic vigour, contemporary spirit, refreshing ideas, stylistic innovations and modifications, formative approach, multifarious trends, holistic aims of life, ideals of character-building, fabric of expressions and presentation. On such considerations the present work of Dr. Pramod Bharatiya is a good thrust towards the soonest possibility of constructing theories of modern Sanskrit criticism.

Dr. Bharatiya has made a fine analytical survey of 14 Sanskrit novels of post-independence period showing sound justice and healthy respect to the pen of the writers with mild comments. The book is a good compendium of informations not only of simple orderliness of representative Sanskrit novels but also of selective and graded contents that pertain to post-independent synchronal framework. The book deals with historical background, major trends, thematic considerations, character analysis, use of language and style of those 14 Novels. The approach of Dr. Bharatiya is calm and congenial althrough. His method of presentation is also dispassionate. The selective acumen of Dr. Bharatiya in analysing various aspects of the novels maintains proper dispensation of congruous outlook.

With warm congratulations to him I hope that this work of Dr. Bharatiya will receive attention and appreciation of sensible readers and critics.

The novel has been a popular means of entertainment for the common readers from the last couple of centuries. But these novels have been in Hindi and English like well-recognised languages. It is perhaps the irony of Sanskrit world that the novel writing or reading has not been taken seriously despite the fact that the novel was originated in Sanskrit itself.

The Sanskrit writers had almost closed their eyes from the novels after the period of great trio Subandhu, Dandi and Banabhatta. In the beginning of 20th century Ambikadatt Vyas's publication of "Shivrajvijay" (1902) inspired many of the Sanskrit writers to activate their pens towards fiction. Thereafter numerous novels came out.

As per my keen interest in fiction I had made up my mind to write short stories and novels. As a matter of result I began to write short stories in Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu and Angika languages.

Shortly after passing out my M.A. from the University of Delhi I decided to do research on Sanskrit fiction. Seeing my interest in the fiction my venerable supervisor late Prof. B.M. Chaturvedi advised me to write a dissertation on a modern novel `Avinashi' (1986). Successfully I was awarded M. Phil. on the same dissertation. Thereafter, Prof. Chaturvedi suggested another topic— A study of trends in Post-independence Sanskrit novels— for my Ph.D. work as an extension to my M.Phil.'s topic. And my thesis on this topic was also approved by the University of Delhi. In the mean time, I kept writing research papers on Sanskrit novels and got them published in various journals. I presented numerous papers on various aspects of Sanskrit novels at different fora including the sessions of All India oriental conference at Rohtak, Calcutta and Baroda.

I have selected 14 novels written between 1952 to 1994. They are Kumudinichandrah, Chandramahipatih, Dva Suparna, Kusumlakshmi, Arjunamalakaram, Sindhukanya, Avinashi, Bilvamangalam, Preetih, Guhavasi, Viyogavallari, Jayantika, Rayishah and Shashirekha. All these novels have been the representative ones of fourteen different authors of post-indecent India. And then an attempt has been made to discuss the trends, themes, characters, language, style, sentiments and figures in them.

This book entitled "Fourteen Novels of Sanskrit" is the outcome of my eight years research work. I feel proud to say that Dr. Keshab Chandra Dash like towering personality, who has received many National and International honours for his contribution to Sanskrit poetry and fiction, has kindly written a foreword for this treatise. It is also a boon for me that Pt. Shiv Narayan Shastri, a renowned Indologist and a senior Reader in K.M. college, Delhi has been my teacher and has inspired me to get this book published. Merely a word of "thanks' cannot equate the degree of intimacy and love these two gentlemen have shown to me. I cannot overlook the effort of Mr. K.L. Joshi the owner of Parimal Publications, Delhi which has converted the manuscript into this book.

I would feel honoured to get the reactions of the readers.

**Contents and Sample Pages**