Forwarded Book Review from The Hindu - Prabandha in translation

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Date:12/11/2002 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/br/2002/11/12/stories/2002111200100302.htm

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Prabandha in translation

 

PRAPANNA PAARIJAATHAMU — First Volume of Sri Vaishnava Dravida

Prabandha: Translated into Telugu by N. C. Srinivasa Venkatacharyulu;

Published by N. C. Srinivasa Iyengar, 2-43, Post Office Road, Kodad

(AP)-508206. Rs. 100.

 

 

DRAVIDA PRABANDHA consists of 4,000 verses composed by different

Acharyas and Alwars. It is the sacred storehouse of the esoteric

knowledge of the Visishtadwaita tradition and is the strong

link/strengthening bond between the aspirant and the Overlord of the

Cosmos. The philosophical ideas embodied therein are for everyday

contemplation of the seeker to come to a right understanding of the

processes of life and the ways in which one could modulate, reorient

his/her own life and conduct to suit the stream of divine energy that

passes through incessantly.

 

The stanzas (Pasurams) are in Tamil, though they are well read and

recited throughout the Vaishnava world of different lands and

languages. Attempts are made, now and then, to translate the texts

into local languages, annotate upon and to suggestively indicate

their import for a better understanding and appreciation.

 

The book under notice is a Telugu rendering of the Divya Prabandham

texts into poetic verses — one to one — carefully drawing out the

quintessence, not adding a word more or lessening a term/idea. The

translation is very skilfully done by an ardent devotee and himself a

practitioner of the philosophy. It is after his passing away, his son

ventured to publish them for the wider benefit of the Telugu readers,

as is indicated. This is the first volume of the literary output of

the author and it will be followed by others soon.

 

The texts included in this volume are: Tiruppallandu,

Tirupalliyezhuchi, Tiruppavai, Tirumozhi of both Periyalwar and

Nachiyar, Tirumaalai, Perumal Thirumozhi, Amalnaadipiran,

Kanninunnsiruttambu, Tiruviruttam, Tiruvaaciriyam, Periya

Tiruvandadi, Tiruvaimozhi, Tiruchandaviruttam and Iyarpaa. Besides

these, Upadesa Ratnamalai of Sri Manavala Maamuni and Mumukshuppadi,

Prapanna Paritranamu of Sri Pillai Lokachariar are also added. The

book, of course, is prefaced by the Poduttaniyan and Mangalaasaasana

Pasurams in the traditional manner. The other material about the

author's endeavour and spiritual lineage add credence to the book.

 

Tiruvaimozhi of Nammalvar is the bulk part of the Nalayira Divya

Prabandham, running to 1000 stanzas, divided into ten sections. It is

very rare that the full text has been either rendered in translation

or annotation by previous authors, even the recitation on occasions

is popularly by short method (Munnadi-pinnadi). It speaks for the

sincere devotion and dedication of the translator that all the

stanzas are rendered into chaste, readable and comprehensible Telugu.

The book is decidedly a trustworthy addition to the Visishtadwaita

philosophical lore.

 

 

N. C. RAMANUJACHARY

 

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