Curses and Boons (In The Valmiki Ramayana)

Book Specification

Book Description

About the Book

The two epics – the Ramayana and the _ Mahabharata have been studied in India and other countries from various angles. But the systematic study of curses and boons in Ramayana is, I think, done for the first time in Marathi by the learned author Prof. S.R. Bhide. He has carried on the studies in the classical Sanskrit epic-epics of growth-on a very large canvas. His books on the characters having mysterious births and the suicide in the Ramayana have already attained a great name in Marathi literature. This is an attempt of translating his original Marathi book on curses and boons in the Ramayana into English. It is hoped that this book will start new trends in the epic studies.

About the Author

Dr. P.G. Lalye, born on 27-6-1928, M.h. (Sanskrit and Hindi) Ph.D. He is winner of Natu Prize for securing the highest rank in M.A. He retired as Professor & Head, Dept. of Sanskrit, Osmania Univer– sity, Hyderabad, 1988. He got award from Govt. of Maharashtra in 1999 and was awarded President’s Certificate of Honour on 15th August 2000. He remained Chairman, Executive Board of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, Pune from 1999-2005 and had written seven books and published about 70 research articles. He is closely acquainted with English, Sanskrit, Marathi, Hindi and Telugu. He visited about twenty five universities for deliver- ing lectures, evaluating Ph.D. thesis and conducting Viva-voice examinations. His latest publication is a book on Mallinatha, published by Sahitya Academy, New Delhi.

Preface

‘Translation is an art which cannot be easily developed or mastered. Though I have some experience in doing translation, I cannot proudly say that I have mastered the art of translating. It is out of reverence that I became ready to undertake the work of rendering the Marathi work entitled ‘Ramayanatil Sapa ani varadana‘ written by Prof. S.R. Bhide into English, an eminent scholar of Sanskrit and Marathi epics. I conceded to his request of translating the book into English. I hazarded to undertake the translation of the work. I got it examined by Prof. Bhide. I incorporated all the suggestions and modifications suggested by him. When I was thinking of getting the book published, I was extremely shocked to hear the sad demise of Prof. Bhide. I am now trying to get this translated version published with a desire to offer it as an humble tribute to the great scholar. It is now published with the benedictions and silent blessings of Prof. Bhide. I am indebted to Shri C.P. Gautam of Bharatiya Kala Prakashan, Delhi who has undertaken the task of printing and publishing this work.

The scholars of both the epics. The Ramayana and the Mahabharata, are aware of the fact that the story of both the epics takes many twists and turns, owing to the curses and boons which constitute, as it were, as it wharfs and whoofs of the fabric of the epics.

I am aware of my own shortcoming. I always keep in mind the rules formula