Author: M Krishnamachariar
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2004
Language: multilingual
Pages: 1258
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8120802845
Description
The present work is an analytical account of classical Sanskrit literature in its historical perspective. It is divided into six books, of several chapters, each dealing with a particular branch of Sanskrit learning. Book I deals with the great epics of India – the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the Puranas and the Tantras; Book II with Kavya and its varieties; Book III and IV with the narrative, prose and Campu respectively; Book V with the dramatic literature and Book VI with Alankara, Sangita, Kama and Chandas literature.
The work is full of references; the footnotes refer to a variety of sources, legendary, inscriptional numismatics, architectural and literary. The writer has consulted several journals, catalogues, annals, reports and other documents in discussing the vexed problems of the date, place, genealogy of the authors and the literary tendencies of their compositions.
His methodology of literary criticism is rationalistic and bears the stamps of the modern scientific age. An elaborate index, a critical introduction, an exhaustive bibliography, the list of abbreviations, the table of transliteration and a supplement are the most useful additions to this interesting and instructive work of literary history.
Contents
PREFACE
ABBREVIATIONS
TRANSLITERATION
INTRODUCTION
BOOK I
CHAPTER 1
1. Vedic Forms of Epics
2. Ramayana
3. Mahabharata
4. Epics Compared
5. Puranas
6. Tantras
BOOK II
CHAPTER II: KAVYA
1. Kavya
CHAPTER III - X
2. Mahakavya
CHAPTER XI
1. Laghukavya
2. Niti
3. Stotra
CHAPTER XII
Laghukavya (contd.)
CHAPTER XIII
Sandesa
CHAPTER XIV
Citrakavya
CHAPTER XV
Subhasita
CHAPTER XVI
1. Poetesses
2. Royal Poets
3. Unnamed Poets
CHAPTER XVII
Desavrtta
BOOK III
CHAPTER XVIII
1. Kathanaka
2. Brhatkatha
3. Pancatantra
4. Other Tales
BOOK IV
CHAPTER XIX - XX
Gadyakavya
CHAPTER XXI
Campu
BOOK V
CHAPTER XXII
Drsyakavya
BOOK VI
CHAPTER XXIII
Sahityasastra
CHAPTER XXIV
Alankara
CHAPTER XXV
Bharata
CHAPTER XVI
Sangita
CHAPTER XVII
Kamasastra
CHAPTER XVIII
Chandovieiti
APPENDIX
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX TO INTRODUCTION
INDEX (MISCELLANEOUS)
INDEX
SUPPLEMENT
ADDENDA & CORRIGENDA