CHAPTER - II AUTHOR: LIFE AND WORKS

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1 CHAPTER - II AUTHOR: LIFE AND WORKS Like in other parts of India twentieth century Kerala also produced many stalwarts who contributed to the growth of Sanskrit Literature. Among them Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai, the author of Dharmasiigara is a well known Sanskrit scholar, poet and teacher from Kerala. Biographical Details He was born in Tiruvalla, on December 25, 1910 as son of Sri. T Goda Varma of Paliyakkara Palace and Smt. Lakshmi Amma. He was married to Smt. J. Kamalamma, daughter of late Sri. N.S Raman Pillai, District Magistate of Thiruvananthapuram and late Smt. Janaki Amma in His family consists of his wife and three daughters, Smt. K. Jayasree, Smt. K. Manju Sree and Smt. K. Rajasree. He did his graduate and postgraduate studies at the University ofmadras. He received his Masters Degree in Sanskrit in 1934 from the University of Madras. He also completed MA Degree in Malayalam with First Class First Rank in He secured Ph.D in Sanskrit from the 27

2 University of Bombay for his research in the field of Vedic studies in He won the Sree Godavari Prize from Madras University, and the Kerala Varma Gold Medal from Kerala University. For his research in epic literature, he was honoured with the Vivekananda Award. For his contribution to literary criticism, Kerala Sahitya Academy Award was given to him. The Sanskrit Academy of Ayodhya awarded him the title 'Vidyiibhu~')a(Jam'. The Kerala Hindi Prachara Sabha honoured him with the title 'SiihityakaJiinidhi'. He received the title 'PaI}9itaratna' from the Vi5vasamskrta Prati~')!iin. The Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Academy gave him the Kalidasa Award and the Kendra Sahitya Academy, the National Award for Sanskrit in Several honorary title were also showered upon him by various institutions and organizations. From the Government of India, he received the President's Award for Eminent Sanskrit Scholars in He has held various high academic positions in universities and other institutions. He was the curator of the University Manuscript Library, Thiruvananthapuram for a few years. He was Professor of Sanskrit in university college and Principal of Government Sanskrit 28

3 College, Trivandrum. Joining Kerala University, he has also served as Professor and Head of the Department of Malayalam. He was the Dean of Faculty of Oriental Studies for fifteen years. He was a member of the Senate of Kerala University for 21 years. He was also member in the Syndicate, Academic Council and Boards of Studies of Kerala University. He also functioned as one - man Commission for Sanskrit University appointed by the Government ofkerala. Later the University was established with the name Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit. He was also the founder President and Honorary Director of Mahakavi Ullor Memorial Library and Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. He organised many literary, educational and cultural functions. The most important among them being Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Temple Entry Proclamation (1962), Annual Conference of the Samasta Kerala Sahitya Parishat (1963), 150 th Birth Anniversary Celebrations ofprof. Max Muller (1974), Mahakavi Ulloor Centenary Celebrations (1977), and 140 th Birth Anniversary of Kerala Varma Valiyakoil Thampuran (1985). Dr. P.K Narayana Pillai is also an author of emmence m Sanskrit, Malayalam and English and has to his credit more than a 29

4 dozen works in these languages. In addition he has edited a number of ancient Sastric texts in Sanskrit and Malayalam. Sanskrit Original Works: Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai has twelve original works is Sanskrit. Cidiitmikiistavah I, SrivalJabhesasuprabhiitam 2, Dharmasiistrstavah 3, Sri Soniidr1sastavah 4, Sabarigiri Kirtanam 5, Kanyiikumiirim Bhaje 6, Bhaja Riimakri~lJam7, Mayiiradiitam X, Vimaliinanda Saptakam 9, Vivekiinanda Stotra lo, Vi vabhanuh" and Dharmasiigarah J2 Research Works: Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai has written five research monographs which are considered to be authorities on this specific area. They are non-rgvedic Mantra in Marriage Cerimonies 13 Kalidasa - An Assessment by Ananda Vardhana l4 Mimamsa in Kerala l5, The Rg vedic Padapii!ha - A Stud/ 6 and Mantras cited by Pratikar in the Aitareya BriihmalJa 17 Malayalam Works: Sanskrit Equivalents of Malayalam Proper Nouns l8, Sanskrita Siihitya PralJayikaJ' 9, Vicitravipinam 20, Tattvadipiki', Sahitika{iik~am22, 30

5 PriicfnamalJipraviilam23, Desfyagiinam 24, Keralahrdayam25, Vfrajananl, Akbar Navikrtam, -h' ak 1,2H sa Jty e J, Asiinte 29 Hrdayam, Samskiirakautukam 311 etc are his Malayalam works. Contributions Based on Sanskrit and Malayalam Kairalfdhvan/', Bhii~iiparimalam32, Bhiiratadeepika 33 are his contributions based on both Sanskrit and Malayalam language. English Works The popular works in English written by P.K. Narayana Pillai are on Sankara and Kerala Varma. They are:- Sree Sankara: A Philosopher Mystic and Poee 4. Keralavarma Valiyakoil Tampuram 35 In addition to the above he has edited and published numerous ancient texts and also published many compilations and edited volumes. There are also numerous research papers, popular articles and introductions or prefaces to books contributed by him. Thus Dr. P.K Narayana Pillai has numerous contributions to his credit in Sanskrit, Malayalam and English. His writings in Malayalam and 31

6 Englsih too are popular as well as scholarly. Detailed information on his works are provided below. Visvabhanuh. (Universal Light) An epic poem on the life and work of Swami Vivekananda in Sanskrit with an English translation, Comprising 21 cantos, published by the author in 1979 with the support from the Ministry of Education, Government ofkerala. Mayiiradiitam It is the Sanskrit translation of the Mayiirasande a by Keralavarma ValiyaKoil Tampuran. The poem contains two parts and a total number of 141 stanzas in Mandiikriintii metre. The poem upholds the honour of the Indian womanhood by portraying Rani Lakshmi Bai as a heroic woman who had shown great willpower in standing by her husband against tyranny and oppression. The work has been published in Sabarigirikirtanam: This glorious hymn by Sri. P. K. Narayana Pillai describing the divine form and power of the supreme Deity-Ayyappan is not merely devotional poem, it is a vision in super consciousness. 32

7 Non-Rgvedic Mantras in the Marriage Ceremonies This IS a work of linguistic, ritualistic and sociological importance in Vedic studies. An exhaustive study of 425 Mantras presenting a comprehensive picture of Vedic marriage as described in the different Grhyasutras with their ritual environments, textual variations and sources-throws light on the affinities between Srauta and Grhya rites and the manner in which Mantras have been improvised for domestic rituals. The university of Bombay awarded Ph.D Degree to Dr. Pillai for this monograph. Kalidasa- An Assessment by Anandavardhana An attempt is made in this book by Sri Pillai to assess Anandavardhana based on the material available in the Dhvanyaloka, how Anandavardhana would have appreciated Kalidasa had the critic been focusing his mind on the poet instead of the theory of suggestion. The ~gveda Padapatha It is a study with special reference to the lj.gveda Padapa!ha. This is the only study ofits kind. 33

8 Mantras Cited by Pratikas in Aitareya Bdihmat:la The monograph presents many newly found ~gvedic Khilas. The 42 Khilas discovered from the Aitareya BriihmaI}a have been studied exhaustively in this work. On the basis of this monograph, Kerala University awarded Kerala Varma Gold Medal to the author for the vedic research in an all India competition. Sanskrit Equivalents of Malayalam Proper Nouns. The Sanskrit names given to the children of the higher caste naturally get mutilated, shortened and adapted to the genius of Malayalam language. Since the original Sanskrit names have to be used in Samskiiras concerning the person the priests have kept a glossary of names In usage and their Sanskrit equivalents. The monograph is an exhaustive study of such names based on old manuscripts. A close study ofthe equations in the glossary has shown that only about ten ofthem are linguistically untenable. Kairalidhvani This is a unique work in that it seeks to elucidate all varieties of Dhvani drawing illustrations from modem Indian literature. viz. Malayalam. In it Dhvani Karikas are rendered into Malayalam and 34

9 they are interpreted more or less on the lines adopted by Anandavardhana in his Vrtti. While Dhvanyiiloka contains only a little above 180 illustrations Kairalldhvani contains more than 350 illustrations representing the different periods in Malayalam poetry. The book was selected by the Kerala Sahitya Academy for their award in literary criticism for the year 1977 and by the Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham, Kottayam in Celliirnathastavam It is a commentary on chellumathastavam, a prayer song praising the God Chellumathan who was famous all over Kerala. It contains 37 lokas. The subject is description of Siva from head to toe. It is composed in M81}ipravii!a style. It contains many ancient Malayalam words. In the use ofearlier Malayalam words, in its poetic quality, and the devotion to Siva this work becomes dear to those who are proud of Malayalam. Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai has edited this rare work from its palm leaf manuscript No 8364 kept in Oriental Research Institute and Manuscript Library, Trivandrum. He has also prepared a detailed commentrary to the work. 35

10 Vi~l)uviHisa of Ramapal)ivada. The edition of Vi~1Juviliisaof Ramapal).ivada and its commentary written by Sri Narayana Pillai is based on the manuscripts NoT. 367 and No. T 269 ofthe Travancore University Manuscripts Library. Ramapal).ivada is a great name in Sanskrit literature, particularly the Sanskirt literature produced in Kerala. He was a great poet, dramatist and scholor who flourished in the first half of the 18 th century A.D. The Vi~1Juviliisa is one of RamapaI)ivadas early works. The poet who wrote the work was impelled by his patron and inspired by his devotion to Narasimha, the incarnation of Lord Vi~1Ju installed in the temple at Cennamangalam. The opening stanza reflects the author's devotion to Narasimha clearly. It may be noted that every canto ends with a prayer invoking the incarnations ofgod described in it, to bless the readers. There are eight cantos in it but the commentary covers only six of them. The Visnuviliisa is written in an elegant style. In the 36

11 introduction, the editor has discussed the literary merit of the work, the authorship ofthe commentary and allied topics. Madanaketucarita of Ramapanivada This is an edition of Madanaketucarita prepared by Sri Narayana Pillai with a study. A bhikshu's falling in love with a courtesan and his ultimate redemption from the moral degradation through the kindness of the king form the main theme of this Prahasana. There are three scenes and the action is confined to one day. The study by Mr. Pillai assesses the literary merits of the play at length. Laghubhaskariya With Vivaral)a This is another critical edition prepared by Sri Narayana Pillai. The original is an astronomic classic by Bhaskara I, who flourished in the beginning of the sixth Century A.D. The commentary entitled Vivaral}a is by Sankaranarayana who flourished in the eighth century A.D. Eight manuscripts of the original and three ofthe commentaries were consulted for preparing this critical edition. In addition to the long introduction the publication contains detailed contents and two indices. 37

12 Jnanasrayi-Chandoviciti This version prepared by Sri Pillai is the first complete edition of the work which is the basic text of Jfianiisrayi school of Prosody. The author Jnanasraya who belonged to the sixth century A.D presents in six chapters spread over 317 sutras a system of scansion different from that of Pingala based on gana. Three manuscripts are used for the edition and it is provided with detailed content, the indices of sutras and stanzas cited, and an exhaustive introduction of historical and comparative lines. Jaiminiya Siitrartha-Sangraha. ~~iputra Parameswara of the PayYUr family in Kerala is the author of this commentary on the sutras of Jaimin. A critical edition based on six old palm leaf manuscripts ofthe work has been prepared by Sri. Narayana Pillai Se~asamuccaya Sri Narayana Pillai has also prepared a critical edition of Sesasamuccaya. With the commentary VimarsinJ by Sankara a disciple of Narayana of Cennar who flourished in Malabar at the 38

13 beginning of the 15 th century. This IS a supplement to Tantrasamuccaya and deals with the Tantra pertaining to the gods Brahma, Siirya, VisravalJa, KrishlJa, Sarasvatl, Lak~mi, Gaurl, Jyes!ha, Kiill, K~etrapiila, Purujit, Indra etc. Seven palm leaf manuscripts have been used for the edition and the variants are noted in the footnotes. Contents in detail and index of verses are given in the beginning and at the end respectively. An introduction on comparative and critical lines is also provided. Sri Ramapancasati. It is a critical edition prepared by Sri Pillai of the stotra-kavya by Ramaparasava in fifty Cantos dealing with the Riimiiyal}a theme. The prayers are addressed to the deity at the Irinjalakuda temple. A commentary on the stotra by Rama is also included in the publication. The editor Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai has pointed out in his introduction that the work has been modeled or patterned on NiiriiyalJiya. He has attempted a literary estimate of the work and explained how the author has employed a rather rugged and difficult style and sometimes recondite usages ofsanskrit grammar. 39

14 Cintaratnam It is one of the most outstanding philosophical works in Malayalam with roots in Vedas and Sastras in Sanskrit. The text has been critically edited by Sri Narayana Pillai. Its philosophical contents is analysed and traced to their sources in works such as Vajasaneyi Samhita, Aitareya Upani~ad, TaittiriyiiraI}yaka, Ka!hopani~ad, Bhagavadgfta, Nyiiyasiitra, Paficadasf and similar works. A~tangahrdaya with the Commentary Hrdaya Bodhika. There are more than 25 commentaries on AHarigahrdaya of which PiitlJya, Hrdya, akyasiira, Lalita, Kairali, Viikyapradipika and Hrdayabodhikii are written by scholars belonging of Kerala. The author Sridasapandita might have flourished earlier than 1300 A.D. Sri Narayana Pillai has also prepared a critical edition of AHiiringahrdaya with the commentary Hrdayabodhika. Kerala Studies (Ed.) A collection of papers regarding Kerala History and culture published in honour of Prof. A. Gopala Menon. Kerala studies as a 40

15 discipline was first conceived by Dr. Pillai and later on Kerala University started a journal with the same title. Dr. Ganapati Sastri Souvenir. (Ed.) Published on the occasion of the unveiling of Dr. Ganapati Sastri's portrait by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan at Thiruvananthapuram m Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran This is a monograph on Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran written at the request of central Sahitya Akademi published in the Makers of Indian Literature Series. Kerala Varma was a great Sanskrit scholar and poet who was also the harbinger of the renaissance in Malayalam literature. The Spake the Poetic Trio (Ed.) It is a compilation of sayings from the poetic trios Kumaran Asan, Ulloor and Vallath01 with translation in Hindi and English. About this publication Sri. Morarji Desai expressed the following opinion when he was the Prime Minister ofindia. 41

16 "Malayalam literature has been greatly enriched by the learned contributions ofthat Great Trio of Poets - Asan, Ulloor and VaHathol. I am glad that with the publication of their selective quotations, both in Hindi and English. Now it has become possible to spread their message of learning to people all over the country. It is indeed a commendable effort in the field ofindian literature." Bharatam PaUu A musical classical second among the Kovalam works, the first being the Ramakathapattu. This was discovered, edited, interpreted and published in 1988 with financial assistance from Ministry of Human Resource Development under the Government of India. With the publication of this the project regarding the Kovalam works stands completed. Ulloor Smaraka Grantham. Ulloor Smaraka Grantham is an edited volume by Dr. P.K. Narayana Pillai. It contains more than 50 papers on life and work of the Mahakavi Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyyer. The collection covers detailed studies on branches of literature in which ulloor was interested. 42

17 Mahakavyas, on Two Sages Two Sanskrit Mahiikavyiis, which are very important among his original compositions are Dharmasiigarah,36 the subject of the present study and Vi vabanuh 37. Both are in many ways related works. The subject of the biographies relates to that ofa Guru and a disciple. The first depict the life story of SrI Ramakrishna and in that his disciple Swami Vivekananda is an important character. Like that the second depict the life story of Swami Vivekananda and in that Sree RamakrishI)a is a major character. The relationship between Sree RamakrishI)a and Swami Vivekananda is somewhat similar to that of Sri Krisna and Arjuna. Of all the persons who came in close contact with Sree Ramakrishl)a. Vivekananda was the one whom he considered the most competent bearer of his message, for he alone could judge his importance for posteriti 8 Swami Vivekananda says, 'He is the method, that wonderful unconscious method! He lived that great life and I read the meaning. Never a word ofcondemnation for any'. 43

18 Sree RamakrishI)a is the spiritual paradigm for the new era and Vivekananda is the sphere head of the movement initiated by him. They have shown a silver line of hope, in the midst of the chaos, of a seeming gray future of mankind. The earlier we fall in line with their direction, the better it is for us. Context of Composition Narayana Pillai, in his preface to the Dharrnasiigara narrates the circumstances, which led to the composition of that Mahiikiivya 3Y Sri N.S Raman Pillai the father of Narayana Pillai's wife Kamalamma was an ardent supporter of Sree Ramakrishna Mission. So she had opportunities to know about the master and got impressed with his divine greatness quite early in her life. As years passed by, her devotion to Sree Ramakrishna grew more and more deep and she became a devotee of Sarada Devi too. Narayana Pillai also during his boyhood used to visit the Sree Riimakri~I}iisram at Thiruvalla his native place. They both used to collect and read Ramakrishna Vivekananda literature. On many instances they told each other the stories and incidents related Sree Ramakrisna and Swami Vivekananda and discussed about their life and thought. 44

19 On many occasions Kamalamma his wife read out to him books on Swami Vivekananda when he was composmg the Visvabhiinu. While he was composing a hymn in praise of Goddess Kanyiikumari, the divinity of the image and the holy environment of the temple reflected in his mind. At Kanyakumari the statue of Swami Vivekananda is installed on the 'Sripadapiira, where Goddess Parvathi is believed to have set her foot. The introductory part of the hymn, which the poet composed, contains a reference to Swami Vivekananda. Then his mind automatically moved on to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial with its imposing and elegant statue of the great sage. Then he began to write a poem based on the life of the great scholar Swami Vivekananda. The Mahiikiivya Vj,{vabhiinu (The universal Light) on Swami Vivekanda was published in It secured the Kalidasa Award from Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Akademi in 1979 and annual award for Sanskrit from Kendra Sahitya Akademi in Visvabhiinu has an English translation also prepared by the author. The faith in Sree Ramakrigla thus ingrained in Narayana Pillai and his wife early in their life, brought great solace in their later life. Once when Narayna Pillai was taking rest after an eye operation his 45

20 wife read out Sree RiimakrishlJavacaniimrtam to him. This has influenced him to later compose a poem in Sanskrit entitled Bhaja Riimakri~lJam which was published by 'Sree Ramakri~lJiisramam, Trivandrum in 1981 with a Malayalam Translation. The Dhannasiigara (The spiritual sea) a Mahiikiivya on Sree Ramakrishna the subject of the present study is one of his last works. The composition of"dhannasiigara" was started in But it took a long time to complete that due to his various preoccupations and was finished in it took another one year for preparing the translation ofthe poem in English. This versatile scholar, after an illustrious and active academic and literary career, passed away at the age of 80 on 20 th March His Sanskrit works Visvabhanu and Dharmasagara having high historical and philosophical relevance which advocates practical application of Indian thought for the upliftment of the down trodden, and universal love transcending barriers of religion and caste can promote religious harmony. From these works the world will remember the author for centuries to come. 46

21 References 1. Cidiitmikiistavah- Narayana Pillai. P.K SrIvaJ1iibhesasuprabhiitam Dharmasiistrstavah SrI SoniidrIsastavah 'Sabarigiri KIrthanam Kanyiikumarim Bhaje Bhaja Riimakri~l}am Mayiiradiitam (translation) Vimaliinanda Saptakam Vivekiinanda Stotra Visvabhiinuh, Trivandrum, the author, Dharmasiigarah, Trivandrum, The author, No-Rgvedic Mantras in Marriage Cerimonies, Kalidasa-An assessment by Ananda Vardhana, MImiimsa in Kerala, The Rg vedic Padapii!ha: A Study, Mantras cited by Pratikas in the Aitareya Brahmana, Sanskrit Equivalents ofmalayalam Proper Nouns, Samskrta Siihitya Pral}ayikaJ, Vicitravipinam, TattvadtIpika,

22 22. Siihitlkii!ak~am, PriiclnamaIJipraviilam, DesIyagiinam, Keralahrdayam, VIrajananI, AkbarNavlkrtam, Siihityakeli, Asiinte hrdayam, Samskarakautukam, KairaJIdhvani, Bhii~iiparimaJam, Bhiirata Deepika, SrI Sankara: A Philosopher, Mystic and Poet, Keralavarma Valiyakoil Tampuram, Dhannasiigarah, Trivandrum, the author, Visvabhiinuh, Trivandrum, the author, Karandikar V.R. Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, Poona, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Narayana Pillai, P.K. Preface to Dhannasiigara, Trivandrum, the author,

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT. (Additional Course in Lieu of Project) QUESTION BANK

UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT. (Additional Course in Lieu of Project) QUESTION BANK UNIVERSITY OF CALICUT SCHOOL OF DISTANCE EDUCATION B.A SANSKRIT (Additional Course in Lieu of Project) VI SEMESTER GENERAL ESSAY QUESTION BANK 1. Who is named as Kerala Panini (a) Melpathur (c) Kuttikrishanamarar