NATIVE CHARM
LITERACY AND CONFUSION
Recently, I have been scanning the Tamil books at the sites of the online sellers. I also have the habit of visiting book exhibitions and perusing the books.
I noticed one vital difference between the English and Tamil books sold online. For the English books, we get all details, and at times we get to read sample pages also. On Amazon, we also get excellent reviews by experts in the subjects . In respect of Tamil books, most sites do not even provide details of the contents , and no reviews are available. It is difficult to decide to purchase Tamil books online. May be if we know something about the author, or are committed to some, it will be easy!
Scanning over 8000 books in the last few days, I was struck by the sheer number. On closer examination I found the books neatly fell into a few defined categories, unlike the English books.. There is first the great division between non-religious and religious books. The non-religious books are usually either on the political side, mainly from the Dravidian angle. Or they cover ancient literature,current developments, fiction, science, biographies of leaders, self improvement, and translations. There is a strong section condemning Hinduism.
Books on religion galore!
Some book covers in Tamil!
But it is more than equalled in number by religious books. Here too, the basic categories are defined:
- temples and deitiesBooks on religion galore!
Some book covers in Tamil!
But it is more than equalled in number by religious books. Here too, the basic categories are defined:
- gurus and acharyas ( old, new, all)
- Tamil religious works- esp. Saiva and Vaishnava
- Sanskrit scriptures translated- but the narration is more like a novel, than a religious story.
- Mantras, homas, and other prayogas.
-Yoga of all types
-Astrological applications of a bewildering variety, which are neatly grouped under religion and spirituality.
Most of the books are produced attractively. For a place which has been attacking Rama, the number of books on this theme is surprisingly large.
One of the perennial favourites, this book on Sundarakandam in Tamil.
Most of the books published by commercial publishers do not provide the original mantras or slokas in Sanskrit, even in the Tamil script. And in all cases, the pronunciation is almost always wrong. This is really amusing. The publishers want to make a buck catering to the religious sentiment, but they fight shy of going to or quoting the original source!
Write anything, give any advice!
What annoyed me, however, were two trends I noticed:
- authors writing indiscriminately on any subject, just because they can write.
- giving any type of advice.
Among the commercial publications, most authors seem to be writing on the basis of their language skills and not on the basis of their experience or sadhana. No one would dare to write a book on physics or chemistry, unless one has studied the subject and attained some proficiency. No one can write on Shakespeare, just because he knows the English alphabet, for all works of Shakespeare contain no more than the alphabets! But when it comes to Hindu scriptures, anyone can write even if he cannot read the original- for what they do is to copy or follow some old book and just modernise the language.
Avoid Sanskrit, even writing on Sanskrit themes!
Their eagerness to avoid Sanskrit expressions in religious books is both pathetic and absurd- there is simply no religious thought in any language in India which is not derived from Sanskrit. The Vaishnavas have gracefully acknowledged it by calling their system "Ubaya Vedantam". The Saivites on the other hand claim their system to be almost exclusively of Tamil origin, though the very words "Saiva Siddhanta" are Sanskrit!
The great Tamil scholars of the past like Tiru.Vi.Ka freely handled the Sanskrit words felicitously. The basic categories of the Siddhanta system are Pati, Pasu and Paasam, which are just Sanskrit. Though they claim great antiquity for it, historically it is shown that it is a product of the 12th/13th century.
The pity is that most Tamil readers today cannot read even this Tamil in the original. No Tamilian can read today the original authorities like the works of the 4 Nayanmars, or Sekkizhar, or Tirumular, or Pattinathar, or Tayumanavar without annotation. Even those original lines have to be split into distinct words- they cannot read combined words. And they cannot follow scholarly commentaries like those of Tiru.Vi Ka. even in Tamil. So a new generation of writers has sprung up, making a huge industry of 'simplifying' so that 'the common man' can understand! These old authorities had no aversion or hatred for Sanskrit (unless they followed a pro-Tamil agenda for political purposes in public, while still following the religious rites which involved Sanskrit mantras in private) and they acknowledged that both had sprung from Shiva. Yet, under the influence of the Aryan invasion theory,( which is still taught as the official doctrine in the school system), the modern Tamil writers would go to absurd and ridiculous lengths to obscure , if not altogether deny the connection between Sanskrit and Tamil that had openly flourished till the Dravidian parties came to power. (Incidentally, the name Dravidian is also Sanskrit!)
Since the education system is controlled by these elements at all stages, the youngsters of today have just no means of knowing the truth, or an alternative point of view. Unfortunately, even some of the orthodox elements are succumbing to this trend. (Thus they spell Veda as 'Vetha', Ramanuja is spelt as Ramanusa in English!))
The spread of literacy has led to an eagerness to read. But it also seems to have brought down the standards of both expression and comprehension. There is great confusion about any subject. The level of knowledge presented is dismally low, compared to what is available in English.
What to read?
Those who are taking up such studies now in Tamil may read any book they fancy, but those of us who come from the more orthodox traditions have to be careful before buying these new books, from the commercial publishers.
We were introduced to our sacred lore only through the Upanyasa/pravachanas of learned people and after some time, we knew what to look for. Reading came much later, and there were just a few books, written by experienced authorities. But now, youngsters do not listen to discourses,and books are available in hundreds, and there is the Web, and we have to be sure that we get the right stuff. We read the religious books not for pleasure, but as sadhana- it should lead to mananam, one of the nine steps of Bhakti. And any translation we read should enable us to access the original later. Based on my reading of over 50 years, I will only recommend the following, though at all times, it is best to hear (Sravanam):
1. SANSKRIT SCRIPTURES :
Ramayana: (Valmiki):
-The word for word translation published by Bhagavan Nama Publications, West Mambalam, Chennai. (Tamil) It is printed on cheap paper, and lacks running commentary or explanations.
-Two volumes published by Lifco, Chennai (Tamil and English). These translations are excellent prose renditions, fit for parayana. By Keertanacharya U.Ve. C.R.Srinivasacharya.
- Two volumes in English by Gita Press, Gorakhpur.
-Four volumes in Tamil by Gita Press. While it is the best text of Valmiki Ramayana in Tamil script, with the correct pronunciation clearly indicated (on the left side ), the Tamil translation provided has compromised its language-which they have admitted.
They have an excellent volume of Sundara Kandam moolam in Tamil script for parayana. Some time ago, Nrusimhapriya also brought out an excellent edition for parayana.
If we desire to understand the meaning too, we have to follow the translation of Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar or Anna Subramanya Iyer (Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.) or Lifco, as for Sundara Kandam alone.
SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM:
-Translation and commentary by Kadalangudi Natesa Sastry. In several volumes. This is the best on the earth, but paper and printing are the worst possible, and the editing and organisation are atrocious. However, most people, even orthodox ones, cannot follow the language. Bear with it, it is a great learning experience. But we have to read it slowly.
-Word for word translation in 7 volumes by Bhagavan Nama Publications. It is very good, but the paper is cheap, the Sanskrit letters are not easy to follow, and there is no connecting link (running comments) and the nuances are not pointed out/ explained.
- 4 volume English translation by Swami Tapasyananda of the Ramakrishna Math. (English) This is great. The introduction to each volume is superb. But the lay out is horrible, and not reader-friendly. The letters are small, and this makes it particularly tough to read the Sanskrit slokas.
- 3 volume Tamil translation by the Gita Press. The printing, binding and presentation are superb. The original slokas are printed in neat Tamil script with correct pronunciation marks, and it is a real pleasure to read them in the original. But the translation employs a language which is not pleasing at times. The translation follows each sloka and it renders reading both easy and pleasant.
There is a two volume condensation by Anna Subramanya Iyer . This contains the original slokas and their translation.This was first published in 1965, and was beautifully bound. Subsequent editions were paperback, and also smaller in size. As usual, Anna is a competent guide.
There is a two volume condensation by Anna Subramanya Iyer . This contains the original slokas and their translation.This was first published in 1965, and was beautifully bound. Subsequent editions were paperback, and also smaller in size. As usual, Anna is a competent guide.
There are many prose condensations, but no one is entirely satisfactory. We do not read the Bhagavata just for the stories. Each story illustrates some teaching and these books leave out those teachings! But if you must have one book just to have an idea, please see the one by S.S.Cohen in English from Sri Ramanasramam. There is one recent volume by Swami Gitananda of RK Math (Published by Advaita Ashrama) which contains select verses and comments on them, mainly dealing with the life of Krishna.
If you have the energy, time and the stomach to stand the polemics of Srila Prabhupada, there is nothing better than his monumental multi-volume translation and commentary, written from the ISKCON angle! The older, big-size editions were beautiful with nice illustrations.
SRI NARAYANEEYAM:
Don't underestimate this great book. It is an excellent condensation and retelling of Srimad Bhagavatam. At times, it is tougher than the original, because so much iscompressed, while nothing esential is omitted.
The best translation and commentary is by the great Sengalipuram Anantarama Dikshitar. He has also composed verses in the same meter on Jadabharata, which somehow the original left out.
The translation by Anna Subramanya Iyer is competent, but there is no commentary. The Gita Press edition has the best Sanskrit text- so easy to read, but the Tamil translation has compromised on language. The English edition by Swami Tapasyananda is very good. It has a very good introduction. I do not like other editions.
BHAGAVAD GITA:
This is our best scripture, but commentators and translators have made our life miserable.
Having read more than 50 commentaries and translations, in the last 50 years, I settle on the following:
- Translation and commentary by Jayadayal Goyandka , Gita Press. Available in both English and Tamil. The Tamil translation is by the late Swaminatha Atreyan, who was a great anubhutimaan, like the author himself. This is very rare. Unfortunately, in recent editions, they have compromised his great language. Silly people.
- Translation and commentary by Swami Ram Sukh Das. This is probably the best Indian commentary from the point of view of tradition.. It contains great original insights and practical hints on Sadhana. Also published by the Gita Press, both in Tamil and English. Don't miss this gem.
-Translation and commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda- both English and Tamil.
-Translation and commentary by Anna Subramanya Iyer. Combines traditional scholarship and extensive quotations from other scriptures and authorities. This is 50 years old. Recently, R.K.Math, Chennai has brought out a beautiful new edition.
-Translation and commentary by Swami Swarupanada of the RK Math. This is more than 100 years old, but excellent as the comments are sharp, precise. The language is Victorian, but this translation provides the true light on tough points.
These are the best available. I do not like any translation or commentary written by academics and foreigners. Dr.Radhakrishnan's English translation contains a good introduction wherein he has established the historicity of Krishna. But the book is academic.
The greatest modern achievement is the volume "Essays on the Gita" by Sri Aurobindo. Its language will be daunting to most readers. But it is great, and has to be read slowly.
Having read the commentaries of our three great Acharyas- Shankara, Ramanuja, and Madhwa, I felt disappointed as there is more of polemics in them than light. I am not a Sanskrit or Tamil scholar, but following the plain meaning of the verses of the Gita, all three Acharyas are 'torturing the text' ( in the words of Swami Vivekananda) to suit their purpose, ie using the Gita to establish their own philosophy and/or theology. Yet, Ramanuja comes closest to the heart of the Gita: Bhakti is its supreme teaching, (paramam vacha) and Surrender is the specified method (Maam ekam sharanam vraja, man manaa bhava, mad yaaji, maam namas kuru, etc) recommended by Lord Krishna. We may discard the theology.
There are two other books in Tamil. One is translation of the Gita by Bharatiyar! The other is a translation in Tamil Venba meter by Muthu Iyer. It is very good. It is an old book published by RK Math, Chennai, sixty years ago.
There are two other books in Tamil. One is translation of the Gita by Bharatiyar! The other is a translation in Tamil Venba meter by Muthu Iyer. It is very good. It is an old book published by RK Math, Chennai, sixty years ago.
2.TAMIL WORKS:
Devotional Works:
Tevaram: original only. There are several good editions, though they tend to split the words and thus spoil the original poetry. No satisfactory commentary available. Recently, one Tamil scholar P.R.Natarajan has provided the annotations and notes. It is good to learn the meaning from, but it is written in the style of a school or college book, and lacks literary grace. Lectures and essays of Ki.Va.Jagannathan may be read- but they are hard to get.
Tiruvachakam: Commentary by Swami Chidbhavananda. He has cited the relevant Upanishad mantras too. His commentary is broad, bypassing all sectarian concerns.
Tiruppugazh:
The best edition of the complete works of Sri Arunagirinatha is the "Tiruppugazh Madaani" by Tiruppugazh Anbargal. It is not commercially sold, and can be got only through Anbargal.
For those who want to do the parayana, there is the compilation by Vallimalai Swamigal called "Tiruppugazh Parayana Tavaneri Tirumurai".
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There is also "Tiruppugazh Isai Vazhipadu" by Tiruppugazh Anbargal-followers of Guruji A.S.Raghavan. His group teaches people to sing the hymns correctly.
- Annotation and notes by Thanigaimani V.S.Chengalvaraya Pillai- whose father discovered/recovered the Tiruppugazh. Both scholarly and pious.
- Detailed commentary by Kripananda Variar. Several volumes. Absolutely fascinating. No one who is devotee of Subrahmanya should miss this. Guhasri Variar Publishers have brought out excellent editions.
KANDARANUBHUTI, KANDARALANKARAM
The best commentary is by Vaagisa Kalanidhi , Ki.Va.Ja which combines traditional scholarship and devotion, with spiritual experience. That by Variar may also be read, though it is not as extensive as in the case of Tiruppugazh.
Book covers.
The greatness of the works of Sri Arunagirinatha is that though an ardent devotee of Sri Subrahmanya, he looks upon all Deities with equal high regard. The way he has sung about Devi, Rama and Krishna are so sublime, and unmatched by anything written by advocates of those sects.We get almost the entire Ramayana and Bhagavata/Mahabharata incidents in the works of Arunagirinatha.
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Oh Lord who is extolled by Lord Shiva as the Master of Devasena, as the seed of Liberation, and as one carrying the spear that is Shakti!
To Him the three-eyed Lord, you taught the meaning of Pranava which precedes all the three Vedas!
You are worshipped by Brahma and Vishnu, accompanied by all the Devas!
You are praised by the Blue complexioned Vishnu who-
Came as Rama and made the ten heads of Ravana fly away from his body with his peerless arrow;
Churned the milky ocean with the Mandara mountain;
Helped his friend Arjuna by converting day into night with his chakra, and became his charioteer.
You fought the Asuras who lacked friendship, and destroyed them with the Krauncha mountains-
Oh Lord! Will a day come when you will show me your Grace and save me?
See with what grace Arunagirinatha is celebrating here the incidents from Ramayana, Bhagavata and Mahabharata!
Tirumurugaatrupadai:
This is a tough work of the Sangam Tamil period. But it has an excellent commentary by Ki.Va.Jagannathan. He has a short summary also, called "Vazhi Kaatti".
A rare picture of Ki.Va.Ja. From www.geni.com. Thanks.
Naalaayira Divya Prabhandam
Lifco has a complete edition. Many other editions are also available. We can read the original works of the Azhwars with some effort. Many of them are simple. Comments tend to be verbose, sorry to say this.
Stick to Astika language!
As you will see, I have avoided all the commercial editions. Those of us who come from real Astika background have to stick to the tradition and support those publications which still employ genuine Astika language , and not resort to cheap, popular expressions. We are dealing with religious works, and not popular literature. And religious works demand and deserve dignified language, with its own diction. Rama is just Rama, not 'Irama', whatever Kamban might write in his literary work. இராம காதை We follow Valmiki for parayana here, as they follow Tulsidas in the North. Today, Tamil writers spell Kamban as Kampan in English! This is just one instance where the commercial culture is dictating to religious followers. The commercial publishers who publish books on Ramayana and other religious topics, also publish books on Dravidian themes! This is what we have to resist. We have to stick to our traditions and support those who uphold those traditions. We have a duty to guide the youngsters.
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