SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2020 (PAGE 3) BOOK-REVIEW Introduction to our ancient wisdom Impressive Hindi poetry in e-book Ashok Ogra Each chapter ends with 'Tales of Inspiration'- fur- O.P Sharma ther illuminating the text with an interesting story. Abu Rayhan al-Buruni (973-1048), an Iranian The message conveyed is that kindness and service to scholar and polymath, who arrived in India in the sec- mankind is a greater virtue than having visits to holy Name of e-book: Inqilab, collection of Hindi poems ond decade of the eleventh century was one of the ear- places, and such selfless people are closer to god. Author : Rachana Vinod liest foreign scholars to have studied the Upanishads "Dharma (noble conduct and duty) is the only kin who Year : 2020 and the Bhagavad Gita, along with Vishnu Purana, never abandons a person." "There is no Dharma than Matsya Purana, Vayu Purana and Aditya Purana. He kindness." A collection of poems in Hindi from ver- was greatly fascinated by Indian philosophy, as he was The author relates an interesting story of satile Rachna Vinod, who has already writ- by Greek philosophy, and he came to believe that, in Chanakya keeping two oil lamps. He would use the ten books of poetry and short stories in Dogri, many respects, the two were alike. one bought at official expenses when doing official Hindi, Urdu and English, has come out with Max Muller (1823-1900) German scholar of com- work. And light the other lamp when engaged in yet another book, this time in e-book form. It parative language, religion and mythology, was domestic/ personal chores. is available on internet which can be assessed instrumental in editing and translating into English This acts as a reminder for the high degree of and is available anywhere and anytime free of some of the most ancient and revered religious and integrity and probity expected from those holding cost. This is in spirit of low cost and paperless philosophical texts of Asia. His special areas of inter- positions of power. This is so true and relevant for our est were Sanskrit philology and the religions of India. present day politicians and bureaucrats. To Chanakya publishing and readership. Now with grow- One wise man put it aptly-India is a paradox, con- "There is no penance like peace, no happiness like con- ing Digital Technology a new transformation stant images of contradictions. Hardly anything tentment, no disease like greed and no religion like is taking place across India, including two makes sense if one goes by logic, and yet at another mercy". UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. level, all seems to fall into place. Hence, if one has lived Proficient in many languages, Devendra Bajpai Keeping up with the new technology in the in India for a week, one can easily write a book; if one displays a tremendous understanding and command world of printing and publishing this mode is has lived here for a month, she or he can manage to of both our ancient scriptures and also Urdu poetry. getting popularity. It must be remembered write an article; but if one makes a year-long stay or Product of IIT and after a distinguished career in the that the latest technology is now being adopt- more in this country, one can barely write a para- Indian Air Force where he retired as Group Captain, ed gradually for betterment and she has, graph- that is how enormously complex India is. he has devoted himself to education and currently using this technology, brought out this e- Therefore, it is rather surprising that Thomas works for the reputed Apeejay Education Society. book of 18 poems in Hindi 'Ritu Rajas Ran- Macaulay (1800-1859) who introduced English edu- The warmth in the book comes from author's love cation in India should have the temerity to remark "a of the past and the clarity and precision with which he bankur Raag'. that the selection is not religious one even though he Simple, Stylish single shelf of a good European library was worth the quotes from religious texts. However, the author takes explores and selects the key gems of ancient wisdom whole native literature of India and Arabia. The intrin- care not to include verses in praise of any deity. to guide us through the journey of life. Not an easy job It may be mentioned that Rachna Vinod, grandfather Mulkraj Saraf, considered as sic superiority of the Western literature is indeed ful- The book takes the reader across the frontier of to perform considering the diversity in our country. having command over the language, writes in "Father of Journalism" as he was the first to ly admitted by those members of the committee who time to our civilization - on a voyage of discovery. This Even Ramayana when translated in Kannada sounds philosophical yet very simple and easy Hin- bring out a first registered and regular news- support the oriental plan of education." exploration is presented under various themes such different from the Ramayana translated by Tulsidas. di. The way she uses her love for words in paper,Ranbir, Urdu weekly during 1925 from Perhaps nobody reminded Macaulay of the Latin There are hundred Kannada versions of Ramayana. as : Devotion to God, Life & Spirituality; Human Body expressing varied emotions, the power of Jammu in the then Jammu and Kashmir proverb: "From The East, Light." In one version, there is the usual dialogue between & Health; Education, Wisdom & Ignorance; Prosper- words comes out clearly in her writings. Puri- State. Her father, Omparkash Saraf, a reput- Ancient Indian Civilization is the oldest and is dis- ity / Poverty; Charity/ Denial/ Accumulation of Ram and Sita. Ram tells Sita that she is very delicate, ty and beauty of Hindi language is easily felt tinguished by its profound thought and wisdom con- that she cannot bear going to Vanvas. Sita ed journalist and legislator, was one of the few Wealth; The Virtuoso / Despicable & Their Company; in her poems which make compelling effect tained in our scriptures referred above. While other replies:"What are you saying, my dear? I have read and perhaps first in Jammu and Kashmir who Lust/ Greed/ Desires; Conduct, Character & Commu- on any reader to take journey into self. ancient civilizations reached their zenith and disap- nication; Success & Perseverance/ Lethargy; Deeds & other Ramayana's, and in all of them, Sita always donated his body for experimentation in the peared from the pages of human history, the heritage Destiny; Humility/ Pride, Arrogance & Envy; Family- accompanies Ram….' Anybody can relate to rythm and flow of Government Medical College, Jammu. She is of ancient Indian Civilization continues in its living Parents, Spouse & Children and Friends & Enemies. In this context, one is tempted to ask the learned words... whether a philosophical rythm in also perhaps first few in Jammu to have got tradition in India. Few excerpts: author what is so secret about our ancient wisdom that 'Geet Pahle Bana Ya Sargam'; unconditional published her e-book containing choicest This perhaps explains the phenomenal success of - 'Surrender to God is the only salvation, not unnec- is not known except that it is presented in different devotion in 'Shiv Mahima Chhatrachchaya', Hindi poems. the great epics - Ramayana and Mahabharata- when essary and elaborate rituals.' and, at times, divergent versions. staunch devotee in ' Tripurari Trinetradhari', This electronic books or e-book is easily telecast over Doodarshan in late 1980s. Millions of Also, whether some, if not all, quotes in the book - 'Like a blind person has no use / value for a mir- complete oneness with the divine love in accessible and available on internet. It can be people in middle class homes, glued to the idiot box has counterpoints. ror, similarly an insensible person can hardly be 'Koun Ho Tum', reader can relate with the read wherever you want... just in your device. every Sunday morning, imbibed for the first time, in enlightened by scriptures and good literature.' Moderately priced, it is worth a buy and has small doses, the story of the Ramayana and Mahab- archival value. The author has taken great pains to musical expression in every sentiment. ' Ritu Rajas Ranbankur Raag' is available on - 'A person should not be too honest. Straight trees Mark the quality of Rachna's poetry in the harata. But both these serials and also Chanakya failed are cut first and honest people are screwed first.' translate the original Sanskrit shlokas, quotes Amazon and in Kindle version too. It is avail- to draw too hard and fast a line between fact and fic- - 'There can be no happiness for a being nor can its etc..into Hindi and English. This will undoubtedly poem titled 'Ek Raat Ka Musafir' of which a able free on google play store on the follow- tion. No fault of the producer/director as the mass mind know any peace even in a dream so long as enhance its appeal to readers who may not be famil- stanza follows: ing link which readers will surely enjoy and media cannot survive except by simplifying and, at it does not relinquish desire, which is an abode of iar with Sanskrit language. Pertak Megh Par Barse Sawan where they can also give their review and times, distorting things to make them more seductive sorrow.' As an author, Bajpai's success lies in introducing Shiv Shakti Ka Madhur Sangeet comments on the site: than they are in real life. us to the philosophical symbolism of the ancient wis- Deh Mai Basti Badthi Preet - 'Education is the best friend. An educated person https://play.google.com/store/books/de Against this background, the recent publication of is respected everywhere.