Meaning of the Mahabharata

Abhijit Basu

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Posted: 9 years ago

I wonder how many Mbh lovers have read VS Sukthankar's On the Meaning of the Mahabharata. Vishnu Sukthankar was a leading authority on the Great Epic, and the illustrious Editor of the Critical Edition of the Bhandarkar Institute, Pune.

The above book is a collection of his four lectures, covering:

The Mbh and Its Critics
The Story on the Mundane Plane
The Story on the Ethical Plane
The Story on the Metaphysical Plane.

The book is a veritable gem. In the space of just 150 or so pages, it conveys a fascinatingly holistic commentary on the true significance of the Great Epic of India. In particular, it demolishes many a facile interpretation offered by Western critics, who lack the special mental faculty needed to understand the subtle essence of the epic.

Dr Sukthankar's short life (1887 - 1943) was a brilliantly productive one. Yet one wishes he had lived longer to lead us on to newer understandings of our epic heritage.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 9 years ago

#2

Hello Sir Namaste.Nice to meet some one who reminds the Great Sukthankar whom I respect a lot.

I am fortunate to read the book you said " On The Meaning Of The Mahabharata " by the Great Sukhthankar. I respect his splendid contribution towards the creation of " BORI Critical Edition Of MBH"

Yes. He could have lived for more years.We would have been blessed with his insight and guidance towards our Epic treasure.

Of late there are many misinterpretations on the Epic that are misleading young minds into believing the right as wrong and wrong as right. The TV serials are adding fuel to it by showing the Epic charecters in poor light.

Sukthankar's book helps those who cherish the desire to understand the Epic in its true sense.

It helps us to tread nearer to Ved Vyasa's vision.

I would like to quote from On The Meaning of MBH about Arjuna my all time hero.

" It is not sufficient to think of Arjuna as the Pandava Hero,and Krishna as the Yadava chieftain.

They should be regarded as Nara " The Man Par Excellence " and Narayana the Lord himself.

They should be identified as Jeevatma and Paramatma.

Infact there is no duality between them.That is why Krishna is one of the names of Arjuna."

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amritat

@amritat

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Posted: 9 years ago

#3

Thank you Abhijit sir for mentioning this.

I had never heard of this book...but will certainly read it.

I have read about Sukhtankhar n his role in BORI's Critical Edition...n I would really love to read more of such research work...😊

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ltelidevara

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Posted: 9 years ago

#4

Only Dahlmann, the Jesuit scholar, saw in the epic an organic unity and homogeneity that was missed by many of his Western peers. Significantly, publication of the Critical Edition, of which Sukthankar himself was the pioneer-editor, effectively put an end to such free-wheeling interpretations!

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Absolute truth.Sukthankar's greatest contribution towards the Epic was the formation of critical Edition.He is right . The western scholars mostly lack the spiritual depth and clarity of vision to understand the soul of the Epic and the thought of the sage poet Ved Vyasa.

Still few scholars like Maxmuller,Winternitz and Warder made sincere effort to gauze through the vast Epic and grasp the essence.In Sukthankar's words " Mahabharata is a golden treasury of the ideals of the Indians at their best."

Sir,your short review really gives perfect insight into the body and soul of the book " On The Meaning Of Mahabharata.Precise,effective and thoughtful.It really helps those who want to know about the book.

The three perspectives of Sukthankar helps us to chose how to perceive the Epic depending upon our basic Charecter, ability. and present mindset.

The matter of fact view point is adopted mostly nowadays you are right Sir this is Charecter based study.

Dharma point of view is intended for intellectuals,I want to add not to pseudo intellectuals.

The meta physical view point is meant for those who can look beyond good and bad,dharma and Adharma as you rightly said.This is for those who would visualise the Narottam in Arjun and the Narayan in Krishna.

But these days people perceive Narottam as ordinary and Narayan as non existant.

Any way great review for a great book.

Immensely delighted as I am an admirer of Sukthankar. Thank you Sir.

Edited by ltelidevara - 9 years ago

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Abhijit Basu

@abhijitbasu

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Posted: 9 years ago

#5

Originally posted by Itelidevara

Sir,your short review really gives perfect insight into the body and soul of the book " On The Meaning Of Mahabharata.Precise,effective and thoughtful.It really helps those who want to know about the book.

The three perspectives of Sukthankar helps us to chose how to perceive the Epic depending upon our basic Charecter, ability. and present mindset.

The matter of fact view point is adopted mostly nowadays you are right Sir this is Charecter based study.

Dharma point of view is intended for intellectuals,I want to add not to pseudo intellectuals.

The meta physical view point is meant for those who can look beyond good and bad,dharma and Adharma as you rightly said.This is for those who would visualise the Narottam in Arjun and the Narayan in Krishna.

But these days people perceive Narottam as ordinary and Narayan as non existant.

Any way great review for a great book.

Immensely delighted as I am an admirer of Sukthankar. Thank you Sir.

Very perspicacious comments. It's a joy to exchange notes with a serious student of the Mbh and of the grand work of Professor Sukthankar! You are a true seeker of the knowledge imparted by the Blessed Lord Shri Krishna.

Edited by abhijitbasu - 9 years ago

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 9 years ago

#6

Very perspicacious comments. It's a joy to exchange notes with a serious student of the Mbh and of the grand work of Professor Sukthankar! You are a true seeker of the knowledge imparted by the Blessed Lord Shri Krishna.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you Sir for your good words.Mahabharat is an ocean of knowledge .I hope I will get to know the minutest part of it atleast in my life time. I hope I will get an opportunity to interact with you and enhance my knowledge.when time permits.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 9 years ago

#7

I always felt bad when I read Sukthankar passed away before delivering the fourth lecture

On the Meaning Of Mahabharata.