Author: A N D Haksar
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 1998
Language: English
Pages: 239
ISBN/UPC (if available): 0140249923
Description
The ever-popular book of good counsels from ancient India.
One of the best-known Sanskrit classics, Narayana's Hitopadesa is a fascinating collection of animal and human fables augmented with polished verse epigrams and gnomic stanzas, many of which have become proverbial. This satirical, often irreverent and sometimes ribald text has been popular for centuries as a compendium of wordily advice on matters ranging from statesmanship and detailed battle plans to personal conduct and marital fidelity.
In this 'garden of pleasing stories', as Narayana himself describes it, birds, beasts, men and women scheme, suffer, lust, err, grieve and rejoice, acting as perceptive social critics and astute commentators on the absurd nature of human folly.
Combining his own literary genius with skilful selections and modifications of material from the Panchatantra and a host of other traditional sources, Nayana has created a refreshingly original masterpiece. This excellent new translation faithfully renders the wit and wisdom of the original.
THE TRANSLATOR:
Aditya Narayan Dhairyasheel Haksar was educated at the Doon School and the universities of Allahabad and Of Oxford. A career diplomat for many years, he was India's High Commissioner to Kenya and the Seychelles and later the Ambassador to Portugal and Yugoslavia. His translations from the Sanskrit, include the plays of Bhasa, the Dasa Kumara Charitam of Dandin, the Hitopadesa and the Simhasana Dvatrimsika, stories of Vikramaditya.
Contents
Foreword
Extracts from Preface to the First Edition
Extracts from Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the Third Edition
A Word on the Fourth Edition
A Word on the Fourth Edition
CHAPTER I
Prologue
CHAPTER II
The Basis of Human Relations
CHAPTER III
The Social Psychology of the System of the Four Asramas
CHAPTER IV
The Social Psychology of Education
CHAPTER V
Marriage
CHAPTER VI
The Family
CHAPTER VII
Attitude towards the Woman - And Her Place in the Society
CHAPTER VIII
The Four Varnas
CHAPTER IX
Epilogue
Bibliography
Name Index
Subject Index