BHOOMIKA(PREFACE) 1

Sanskrit literature is an endless force of Ganga river like knowledge which has been flowing
from Vedic times . Vedic literature has got a unique place in the heritage of world literature.
Vedas are the old treatise of the world. Vedas are the only material to know about Aryan‟s
civilisation, dignity,society and religion. The language of vedas is very ancient.

1. Vedas : Vedas are ancient and very important treatise of Dharma or Religion. All the
philosophers of present and past time have made Vedas as their scriptures of trust and proof.
Vedas represent Godly truth. They are immortal. They are not composed by anybody . That is why
they called Apaurusheya. Vedas are the source of all Indian heritage of poetry and history , root
of Purusharthas Like Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha. Indians respect the Vedas and without
second thought they obey the words of Vedas. All the philosophers unanimously agree the Vedas.

The word Veda is derived from the verb-root ‘ÌuÉSè’ which means the knowledge. Indians have
staunch belief in this. Their trust is immense. Vedas are the heap of knowledge visualised by the
sages in ancient times. It is preserved without any damages till date and it is the speciality of India.

When the history of the world was in the womb of time, the Vedic chants were visualised by the
sages which were very great and unlimited treasure of knowledge, pure & influential.

Initially Vedas were one. sage Vyasa divided Vedas into 4 as Rigveda,Yajurveda, Sama and
Atharva Veda for the sake of Sacrifice, study and understand. That is why Vyasa Maharshi is
called as Vedavyasa by scholars.

xÉÉåsrÉqÉåMüÉå rÉjÉÉ uÉåSiÉÂxiÉålÉ mÉëMüÉÍzÉiÉ: |

cÉiÉÑkÉÉïrÉ iÉiÉÉå eÉÉiÉÇ uÉåSmÉÉSmÉMüÉlÉlÉqÉç ||

( Sage Vyasa divided the tree like Veda into four parts which later grew as the forest of Vedic
trees )

Rigveda : Rigveda is prayed with meter, part of chants with discriptions.

Yajurveda : Yajurveda gives more importance for yajna and its execution.Here the Mantras are
there in the form of prose.

Samaveda : Samaveda is the heap of chants which could be sung.

Atharva veda : Atharvaveda consists of the mantras which help people who desire worldly benefits.

There are four parts in Veda like Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishad.

Samhita is a group chants and the detailed explanation of that is called as Brahmana. The special
explanation of sacrifice is the main purpose of these chants. The part which people study at
forest being far from society and consisted of spirituality is Aranyaka. Upanishads teach the
brahmavidya. These are the principle part of Vedas.

The Samhita, Brahmana, Aranyaka and Upanishads have co – relation and co – ordination mutually
and the collection of all these is called as Vedas.
Upanishads : Upanishads are the essence of Vedas. These are the last part of Vedas hence it
has a significant name Vedanta. Among the three path of Moksha, Upanishad is the first called as
Shantipatha. Upanishads are the root of Indian religion, philosophy etc.

Some Upanishads which teach Brahmavidya (spirituality) are in the form prose, some are in the
form of poem and some have both (prose and poem). Upanishad is a secret knowledge which
student attains from teacher being close to him. Upanishads are the gems of Indian philosophy.
Upanishads are the root of Indian philosophy and principles. The main theme of Upanishads
is omnipresent (supreme soul). Some parts of Upanishads are considered as the greatest part in
the world‟s literature. Upanishads have taught the values of life to human being in a special way
which he has to follow in his life by explaining the importance of sacrifice, meditation, charity. It
has also taught that self-controlledness, non-violence, truthfulness, belief in religion or good deeds
and and thirst for knowledge are the ideals of human beings. Strive for truth, worship of God and
devotion in God are the paths of salvation which come in Upanishad.

Vedangaani( subdivisions of Veda ) :

ÍzɤÉÉ urÉÉMüUhÉÇ NûlSÉå ÌlÉ£Çü erÉÉåÌiÉwÉÇ iÉjÉÉ |

MüsmɶÉåÌiÉ wÉQû…¡ûÉÌlÉ uÉåSxrÉÉWÒûqÉïlÉÏÌwÉhÉ: ||

ÍzɤÉÉ, urÉÉMüUhÉÇ, NûlS:, ÌlÉ£Çü, erÉÉåÌiÉwÉÇ, MüsmÉ: are the subdivisions of Veda.

Shiksha is a part which explains the letters of Veda, sound and pronounciation of chants.

Vyakaranam is the subdivision which explains the meaning of Veda and protects the meaning of
Veda.

Chandas( prosody ) is a subdivision which is a change in letters. After hundreds of years of

composition of Samhita, many words become strange to people due to lack of usage.

Niruktam is an explanation of that.

Jyotisham is a science which gives confirmed information on Sun,Moon,Planets,Stars etc

movement with the help of mathematics.

Kalpa which explains about the different works quoted in Veda.

mÉÑUÉhÉÉÌlÉ (Mythology )

“CÌiÉWûÉxÉmÉÑUÉhÉÉprÉÉÇ uÉåSÇ xÉqÉÑmÉoÉ×ÇWûrÉåiÉç ” which means, the meaning of Vedas should be extracted from
history and mythology. Mythology has a unique place in Indian Literature. The word mÉÑUÉhÉÇ means
ancient. 18 mythologies are existing and they are,

1. qÉixrÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 2. qÉÉMïühQåûrÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 3. pÉÌuÉwrÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 4. pÉÉaÉuÉiÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 5.oÉë¼mÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 6. oÉë¼uÉæuÉiÉïmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç

7. oÉë¼ÉhQûmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 8. uÉÉqÉlÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 9. uÉUÉWûmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 10. uÉÉrÉÑmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 11. ÌuÉwhÉÑmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 12. AÎalÉmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç

13. lÉÉUSmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 14. mÉ©mÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 15. ÍsÉ…¡ûmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 16. aÉÂQûmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 17. MÔüqÉïmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç 18. xMüÉlSmÉÑUÉhÉqÉç

A verse is there helps us to remember these puranas orderly.that is,

qɲrÉÇ pɲrÉÇ cÉæuÉ oÉë§ÉrÉÇ uÉ cÉiÉѹrÉqÉç |

A-lÉÉ-mÉ-ÍsÉÇ-aÉ-MÔü-xMüÉÌlÉ mÉÑUÉhÉÉÌlÉ mÉëcɤÉiÉå ||

 The caractoristics of puraanas explained in a verse as,

xÉaÉï: mÉëÌiÉxÉaÉï¶É uÉÇzÉÉå qÉluÉliÉUÉÍhÉ cÉ |

uÉÇzÉÉlÉÑcÉËUiÉÇ cÉæuÉ mÉÑUÉhÉÇ mÉgcÉsɤÉhÉqÉç ||

means creation, extention of creation, destruction, recreation, which Manu‟s time, who was
living, main incidents of that time, explanation of race of the king could be seen in mythology.
Another speciality of mythology is it‟s description style.

Mythology is very important in many aspects. Here the teachings of Vedas are explained in
simple and comprehensive way. When the language of Vedas was not understandable for
common people then it‟s philosophy was composed in mythology and in the form of stories.
Mythology introduces us then Indian society. Ancient history is in a truthful way in mythology.

RAMAYANA:

Valmiki Ramayana is a famous epic which is considered as pioneer among the best epics of the
world. It is the origin for all poetries of Sanskrit. Having taken birth from the mountain named
Valmiki and inspire of poets from indefinite time and which purifies India, that is Ramayana.

There are seven cantos in Ramayana and they are Balakanda, Ayodhyakanda, Aranyakanda,
Kishkindhakanda, Sundarakanda, Yuddhakanda and Uttarakanda.

Here a canto is made by several sections which describe a very particular matter. This „Adikavya‟

has been also called as “ cÉiÉÑÌuÉïÇzÉÌiÉ xÉÉWûxÉëÏ xÉÇÌWûiÉÉ “. It has 24,000 shlokas like the letters of
aÉÉrɧÉÏqÉl§É: |

Here, Rama is described as devotee of his parents, loyal to his relatives, protector of dependants,
truthful, valorous, religious, destroyer of evils and handsome. Here Sita is a symbol of purity and
significant of Indian wife. Lakshmana follows Rama as shadow, brotherly love of Bharata, loyalty of
Hanuman, friendship among Srirama-Sugreeva-Vibheeshana, slaughter of Ravana one who the
symbol wicked, trimph of Dharma are the points depicted in Ramayana.

One way Ramayana is a pure lake like epic which shows Maharshi‟s splendid appearance and in
another way Ramayana is a source for the other poets treatises. Ramayana is also a complete
history and gist of Veda and scriptures. Moreover it is a life of Indian lives. Ramayana is a
great epic which attracts both scholars and dull-headed with its characters and situations. It‟s story
is heart touching and majestic. It‟s a beautiful with poetical description and beautiful depiction. It‟s
style is very simple, beautiful, very pleasant to hear and it‟s a flow of sentiments. Thus there is
no epic in India or in the world which showcases the virtues and duties so beautifully and
emotionally.

Mahabharatha :

Mahabharatha is a historical book of India. Mahabharatha is an adorable and beloved book of

Indians. It is a source of inspiration for poets. It is an invaluable property of India. By its size and
quality a biggest treatise. Everybody appreciates this as an equal epic for Veda and a fifth Veda.
( pÉÉUiÉÇ mÉgcÉqÉÉå uÉåS: ) Mahabharatha is divided into 18 parvas like AÉÌSmÉuÉï, xÉpÉÉmÉuÉï etc. Its shloka
crossed into one lakh. There is no other epic in the history of the world which so vast, hence it
is titled as “ zÉiÉxÉÉWûxÉëÏxÉÇÌWûiÉÉ “ |

The author of Mahabharatha is the sage Vedavyasa. He was the grandson of sage Shakti and
son of sage Parashara. He was a Brahmarshi, poet, truthful and he was called as Badarayana,
Krishnadwaipayana. Mahabharatha is a national epic. Vyasa was not only an author of
Mahabharatha but also a main character of that. Vyasa was the son of Satyavathi and Parashara
had a name Krishnadwaipayana by birth. Then he was called Vedavyasa because he divided
Vedas into four parts. Eighteen Puranas,Brahmasutras,Shrimadbhagavatam, are the main works of
Vyasa.

According to scholars Mahabharatha was evolved in three stages respectively, Jaya, Bharatha
Samhita and Mahabharatha. Mahabharatha is like Veda where righteousness is prioritised „ rÉiÉÉå kÉqÉï:
iÉiÉÉå eÉrÉ:’ is the formula of Mahabharatha. It gives here hundreds of stories, thousands of legendary
stories, the strange topic, variety of characters, emotionally rich, flow of sentiments are the points
which placed Mahabharatha an adorable epic.

These sentences sing the pride of Mahabharatha.

„ pÉÉUiÉgcÉå¤ÉÑSlQÇû cÉ mÉëÌiÉmÉuÉïUxÉÉåSrÉqÉç ‘ Mahabharatha and sugarcane have juice in its every part.

‘ rÉÌSWûÉÎxiÉ iÉSlrÉ§É rɳÉåWûÉÎxiÉ lÉ iÉiÉç YuÉÍcÉiÉç ‘ | It means what is here in Mahabharatha that is
everywhere and what is not here that is nowhere.

There is no „sarga‟ ( xÉaÉï ) in Mahabharatha but chapters ( AkrÉÉrÉ ) are there. It has prose like poem.
According to scholars, the period of mahabharatha is 4000 BC to 3000 BC.

Mahabharatha is the treasure of stories. There is no boundary for short stories in it. Stories of
Gods, Demons, Brave, Ideal wives, Animals and birds, Mythology- Punya, Mortal etc.

The main aim of Vyasa was, by showing the dryness of world escorting people towards salvation.

The main sentiment of Mahabharatha is zÉÉliÉUxÉ: and uÉÏUUxÉ: is supportive of that. This book is
called as history instead of epic. Mahabharatha is a treasure which gives means for every human
being to make his life meaningful. The speaciality of Mahabharatha is describing politics, duties of
king and subjects and authorities of them. The applicability among devotion, knowledge and work is
shown in Bhaghavadgita of Mahabharatha which can‟t be found in any other book. Bhagavadgita is
also a part of mahabharatha. Vedavyasa popularised the indian financial system, politics and the
principles of spiritualities through this. Therefore scholars have appreciated this as an encyclopedia
of India‟s Dharma and philosophy.

An introduction to Sanskrit Poetry :

Sanskrit has a unique place in the world due to its uncomparable treatises, inexplicable beauty of
poetry, unmatched wordings. Hundreds of poets – dramatists have become immortal and enriched
Sanskrit literature by their invaluable books. Sanskrit literature in poetries, epics and plays are
different and very special with each other. Poetry is an art that is different from scriptures. In
scriptures, much importance is given for thoughtful matters, but in poetry, flow of sentiments which
penetrate the heart with newness are prioirtized. Poet is a talented one and his work is poetry.

Scriptures can be understood by all the scholars but beauty of poetry could be enjoyed only by
emotional people. In the world of literature poet is the emperor. Accoding to the talent of poet,
independently he could compose any kind of poetry.

AmÉÉUå MüÉurÉxÉÇxÉÉUå MüÌuÉUåMü: mÉëeÉÉmÉÌiÉ: |

rÉjÉÉxqÉæ UÉåcÉiÉå ÌuɵÉÇ iÉjÉåSÇ mÉËUuÉiÉïiÉå ||

In this vast world of literature only poet is creator, how he visualises the universe he changes
according to that. Poetry can be divided into Shravya (audible) and drishya (visible). The one
which can be heard and enjoyed by hearing is called Shravya, one which can be seen and acted
is called Drishya. The mixture of prose & poetry in one work is called Champu Kavyam. Play is
called Drushyam. „ uÉרÉoÉlkÉÉåÎefÉiÉÇ MüÉurÉÇ aɱqÉç ‘ means, prose is that which has no meters or which
doesn‟t come under the rules of letters and lines.

‘ mÉ±Ç iÉ§É cÉiÉÑwmÉSqÉç ‘, mÉ±Ç means which has four lines. aɱmɱqÉrÉÇ MüÉurÉÇ cÉqmÉÔËUirÉÍpÉkÉÏrÉiÉå means which has
mixture of aÉ±Ç and mɱqÉç | SØzrÉÇ iɧÉÉÍpÉlÉårÉÇ iÉiÉç ÃmÉÉUÉåmÉɨÉÑ ÃmÉMÇü, ÃmrÉiÉå AÍpÉlÉrÉæ: ÌlÉÂmrÉiÉå CÌiÉ ÃmÉMüqÉç, SØzrÉÇ
means which has to be acted and form is attributed on some character, so it is called Rupakam
or which is acted through acting.

The word MüÉurÉqÉç has a vast meaning in Sanskrit. Poetry is divided into qÉWûÉMüÉurÉÇ ZÉhQûMüÉurÉqÉç cÉ |

xÉaÉïoÉlkÉÉå qÉWûÉMüÉurÉÇ iɧÉæMüÉå lÉÉrÉMü: xÉÑU: |

xɲÇzÉ: ¤Ȩ́ÉrÉÉå kÉÏUÉåSɨÉaÉÑhÉÉÎluÉiÉqÉç ||

qÉWûÉMüÉurÉÇ is nothing but forming chapter where hero is God or a royal born with kÉÏUÉåSÉ¨É quality.
Romance, valour or calm will be the main sentiment. Here four principles of human life explained
in which one would be mainly prioritized. Dusk, sun, mountain, forest, hunting, seasons, ocean and
nature‟s descriptions will be like these eight sujects or more than that.

Five epics : The five treatises which have the qualities of Mahakavya appreciated by the
scholars and they are titled as “ mÉgcÉqÉWûÉMüÉurÉÉÌlÉ “. They are Raghuvamsham & Kumarasambhavam of
Kalidaasa, Kiraataarjuniyam of Bharavi, Shishupalavadha of Magha & Naishadiya charitam of Shri
Harsha.

Raghuvamsha : Raghuvamsha is placed first among five Mahakavyas. Kalidasa exibits the ideals
of kings of Raghuvamsha in 19 chapters starting from King Dilipa to 21st king Agnivarna of
solar dynasty.

Kumarasambhavam : It has 17 chapters which is composed having based on the subject of

Shiva – Skanda – brahmapuaranas. The subject of Kumarasambhava is the power (Son) who gets
birth from the meeting Shiva and Parvati and who destroys the demon Taraka etc. Poet‟s story-
telling skill immencely attracts the readers.

Kiratarjuniyam : Poet Bharavi wrote Kiratarjuniyam epic based on the famous Vanaparva of
Mahabharatha. It has 18 chapters. The background of this epic is Arjuna‟s departure to attain
Pashupatastra from Shiva. Arjuna‟s penance, fighting with Lord Shiva who was in the form of
hunter and attainment of Pashupatastra is the subject of this epic.

Shishupalavadha : Shishupalavadha is an epic composed by Magha Kavi who is the beloved and
adorable poet for Sanskrit scholars and this epic has 20 chapters. When Yudhishtira was in the
dilemma that who should get the first worship in Rajasooya sacrifice (yajna), Krishna‟s name
comes on top. Shishupala strongly opposes this and he dies with the disc (chakra). This is the
subject of the epic.

EmÉqÉÉMüÍsÉSÉxÉxrÉ pÉÉUuÉåUjÉïaÉÉæUuÉqÉç |

SÎhQûlÉ: mÉSsÉÉÍsÉirÉÇ qÉÉbÉå xÉÎliÉ §ÉrÉÉå aÉÑhÉÉ: ||

Scolars opine Kalidasa‟s smile, Bharavi‟s meaning, Dandi‟s wordings and all these three qualities
could be seen in Magha‟s epic.

Naishadheeya Charita : In the heritage of Sanskrit epics, Shri Harsha authored Naishadheeya
Charita or Naishadha which has 22 chapters. Nalopakhyana of Mahabharata is the source. This
epic is the soul for Sanskrit scholars. A sentence in Sanskrit is very famous “ lÉæwÉkÉÇ ÌuɲSÉæwÉkÉqÉç “
which means, Naishadha is the medicine of scholars.

Historical poetries : Navasahasnka Charitam of Padmagupta, Vikramankadevacharitam of Bilahana

Rajatarangini of Kalhana, Kumarapalacharitam of Hemachandra, Salavabhyudaya of Rajanatha,
Madhura Vijayam of Gangadevi etc many other historical books are composed in Sanskrit.

aɱMüÉurÉqÉç : “ uÉרÉoÉlkÉÉåÎefÉiÉÇ MüÉurÉÇ aɱqMüÉurÉqÉç “ prose is one which is free from meter and shows
emotions directly. There are two divisions in prose, story(katha) and Aakhyaayikaa (history related
according to Dandi). Akhyaayikaa is a history based and katha is imaginary. Subandhu‟s
Vasavadattam, Bana‟s Harshacharitam & Kadambari, Bandi‟s Dashakumaracharitam are the famous
proses.

cÉqmÉÔMüÉurÉqÉç : The new style of literature where prose‟s and poems good qualities are applied in one
Shravya kavya is Champu. Dandi quoted aɱmɱqÉrÉÏ MüÉÍcÉiÉç cÉqmÉÔËUirÉÍpÉkÉÏrÉiÉå ( Champu is one which
has prose and poem ) in his work Kavyadarsha. Decorative style and sentiment supporting
situations enrich the Champu Kavya. Initially Champu kavya‟s are composed by Karnataka poets
which is very special. Nalachampu, Yashastilakachampu, Champu Ramayana, Champubharata are the
famous Champukavyas.

xiÉÉå§ÉxÉÉÌWûirÉqÉç : Word mÉëÉjÉïlÉÉ means eminent or special solicitation, which devotees use to command
the Almighty, Omniscient and Omnipresent for the fulfilment of their desires. All the sages
experienced and mighty people ( ÌuÉpÉÔÌiÉmÉÑÂwÉÉ: ) have said the greatness of mÉëÉjÉïlÉÉ. mÉëÉjÉïlÉÉ is very easy.

Pushpadanta‟s “ Shiavamahimna Stotram, Shankaraacharya‟s “ Saundaryalahari, Kulashekara‟s

Mukundamaala, Lilashuka‟s Krishnakarnaamrutam, Vedantadeshika‟s Varadarajapanchashat,
Venakatadhwari‟s Lakshmisahasram, Appayyadixita‟s Varadaraajastava, NarayanaBhatta‟s Narayaniyam,
Jagannatha Pandita‟s Panchalahari are like holy kalasha on the top of the temple of eulogy
poetry.

xÉÑpÉÉÌwÉiÉÉÌlÉ : One of the biggest divisions in the Sanskrit literature which has separate divisions like
aɱ-mɱ-lÉÉOûMüqÉç ( prose-poetry-drama ) is Subhashitani. That is a sort of which has four lines, brief
and complete with meaning. Every single poem ( zsÉÉåMü: ) is a pure gold which has come from the
experience of the poet. Those are the proverbs which attract everybody.

Rajashekahara‟s Suktimuktavali, Sayanacharya‟s Subhashitasudhanidhi, Shridharadasa‟s

Saduktikikarnamrutam, Shangadhara‟s Sharngadharapaddhati, Vedantadeshika‟s Subhashitanivi,
Basavadhoopala‟s Subhashitasuradruma, kashinathasharma‟s Subhashitaratnabhandaagaara are the
Subhaashita books.

Bhartrhari‟s „ Subhashitatrishati is very famous and world popular book which has three parts
respectively lÉÏÌiÉ-zÉ×…¡ûÉU-uÉæUÉarÉ and it is like the crown of all these.

Plays ( lÉÉOûMüÉÌlÉ ) - In Sanskrit litetrature plays are usually called as ÃmÉMüqÉç | ‘ ÃmrÉiÉå AÍpÉlÉrÉæ:
ÌlÉÃmrÉiÉå CÌiÉ ÃmÉMüqÉç ‘ ( ÃmÉMü is that which will be shown by action.)

Sanskrit plays commonly end with happiness. The speciality of there are the collaboration of
Sanskrit and Prakrit (a kind of language ) plays are composed based on the activities of society.
Kalidasa‟s saying is true that plays are the means which entertains the people equally at a time.
‘lÉÉšÇ ÍpɳÉÂcÉåeÉïlÉxrÉ oÉWÒûkÉÉmrÉåMÇü xÉqÉÉUÉkÉlÉqÉç’ When we see the great dramas of Bhasa, Kalidasa,
Shoodraka, Bhavabhooti etc.
Bhasa- He was a famous dramatist among who lived before Kalidasa. Kalidasa himself
quoted in his drama that Bhasa‟s dramas were very famous. Even Bana quoted that Bhasa
became famous by his dramas which begin with Sutradhara(stage manager). Many characters
and patakasthanam( where the future story of the drama is predicted ) is present by which he
illuminated his dramas. In the 1912, Mahamahopaadhyaya T. Ganapathi Shastri published 13
dramas in Travancore and considered as Bhasa‟s dramas. Bhasa has authored 13 dramas and
took him to a good dramatist position through writing style, creation of characters, selection of
subject and natural conversation.

Kalidasa- He is a national poet who is famous in the world and titled as Kavikulaguru’.

Though he has authored only three dramas but in literature his first place as poet is not
shattered. His creation of characters, his soft nature of getting with human‟s expressions,
obediently explaining the all time truth, the respect on elders etc. Values reflected in his works
are the reasons for his world wide popularity.

Shudraka- His drama Mrichchakatikam with ten acts is recognised as prakaranam. The main
points of this are intimacy of Charudatta and Vasanta Sena and Aryaka‟s attainment of kingdom.
These two are the important points of this drama. He picturised the social life of that time in a
simple style with romance as main sentiment.

Bhavabhoothi- He have authored three dramas namely, Mahaveera-charitam, Uttara-rama-

charitam and Maalati Madhavam. It is a heartening thing for historians that he introduced himself
little bit in the introduction of Mahaveera Charitam. Uttararama charitam mirrors the talent of
Bhavabhoothi. Therefore “Uttare Raamacharite bhavabhootirvishishyate” appreciation from the
criticiser is very significant. After him many dramatists wrote dramas and spread this field.

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