Book Review : Bhāratīya prajñāvāhini Anand Coomaraswamy (ಭಾರತೀಯ ಪ್ರಜ್ಞಾವಾಹಿನಿ ಆನಂದ ಕುಮಾರಸ್ವಾಮಿ ) - S. Suryaprakash Pandit

 

Books open up an entirely new world to the reader. Some books come into one’s life quite accidentally or may be providentially. However, their impact could be far reaching and sometimes life long. It was an accidental conversation in a temple that led me to meeting & interacting with the author-publisher Sri. S. Suryaprakash Pandit. Conversations lead me to this book on perhaps a lesser known, but one whose works should be read and distributed widely, Anand Coomaraswamy (AKC). This review will be composed of 2 parts i.e. The introduction part by the author Suryaprakash Pandit and the main topic on AKC which is composed of 8 short essays. Though a small book in terms of pages, the same is rich in content and requires a lot of comprehension to understand the depths of the topics being discussed.

The first sentence in the preface (ಅಭಿಜ್ಞಾನದ ಮಾತು) bowled me over. The author shares his experience in terms of the influence of 2 most revered writers (and rightly described as Rsis) of the previous century, AKC and DVG. The essays were published over a span of 20 years across various publications which explains the depth of research that has gone into each of these.  One of AKC’s famous lines “Our work is our own Yajna” is relevant in modern times & reflects the Vedic wisdom in simplest of lines. Suryaprakash Pandit gives a list of authors whose works should be studied in detail, which is a galaxy of stalwarts, giants of the literary fields from Sri. P. V. Kane to our own Shatavadhani Dr. R. Ganesh. To study each of these authors’ work would be a lifetime project for many mere mortals. To comprehend their work and reflect on AKC’s works requires a different level of commitment and dedication. The author concludes this preface with a line from Saint Tyagaraja’s Pancharatna Kriti (endarO mahAnubhAvu-landariki vandanamu).

The introduction is named Bhāratatīrtha (ಭಾರತತೀರ್ಥ). When I started reading this part, I was wondering the rationale behind the name.  A quote from AKC sets the context for the whole book. As one reads through the book, this becomes the central theme around which AKC’s works and contributions are understood. Quoting, “The essential contribution of India, then, is simply her Indianness”. Bharatha history is replete with existential wars waged on her, yet stands like a shining example of a civilisation that has withstood this onslaught, continues to thrive and become a shining beacon for the world i.e. Vishwa Guru. This concept is richly encapsulated in various works of AKC, much of which was written a century ago. The author emphasises the importance of the Chaturvida Purusharthas and their application in daily life of our ancestors, which was essential for individual and civilisational progress.

The author quotes various examples from AKCs various works like the much revered and widely well known “The Dance of Siva” to “The renaissance in India” etc. However, what makes this section interesting is the more intricate fusion of AKC’s works with DVG’s Kagga to Vedic texts. The approach of European & American societies to Philosophy varies quite a bit compared to the Bharatiya approach, where this transcends being a subject & more of way of life to self realisation is another key aspect of AKC’s writings. The last, but perhaps the highlight of the section is the part on “Tirtha”. The author explains the various definitions & their inherent, intricate meanings drawing from various sources across Upanishads and Srimad Bhagwad Gita. This is a highly recommended section which should be widely read and distributed. When I did discuss this aspect with the author, it was not entirely surprising that this introduction i.e. Bhāratatīrtha was actually published separately. Very highly recommended read.

Next, we come to the main topic of the book, Anand Coomaraswamy. The first page has a quote from AKC which is very deep and thought provoking. “Be Yourself”. A simple statement, but one which has profound implications and ramifications. The other aspect of this quote is the list of role models to follow. While one finds the expected leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, what piqued my interest and fanned my curiosity was the reference to DVG and Sri Ramana Maharshi. The significance of this needs to be comprehended in depth considering that this was almost a century ago. The fact that DVG’s works were appreciated by a person of AKC’s stature is an example to understand the wide acclaim and richness of DVG’s works. Without spoiling the fun, I would highly recommend the readers to read AKC’s words on Mahatma Gandhi. The clarity of thought and depth of comprehension is quite outstanding.

Be Yourself. What does this mean and how it applies to everyone is a central theme across the book. Additionally, AKC’s view that Art and Artists shape the destiny of a country is another thought provoking concept. What should be interesting to the readers is that AKC was one of the first to promote the Swadeshi concept (earlier than MKG). The author has also quoted extensively from another stalwart of the literary field Prof. Sa. Kru. Ramachandra Rao. As one reads through the various thought concepts explained by AKC, one can’t help but feel overwhelmed. Though some of these reflections were captured more than a century ago, their applicability is as relevant today than ever. Life becoming monotonic / robotic hits one very hard and makes us question our own priorities in life. The author explains why he considers AKC as a Rsi. A person who imbibes the principles, delves into spirituality and adopts the same as a way of life.

AKC’s thoughts on Indian independence is quite thought provoking. Emphasising the importance of not just political independence, but economic and cultural independence, which would require a cultural revival of sorts, AKC has written quite eloquently on this subject highlighting the need for spiritual and artistic aspects in one’s life. AKC has studied various works in their native languages and distilled the wisdom across multitude of perspectives and captured the same in his writing. It’s not surprising that AKC was one of the first to promote that Bharatha is the Guru for the world i.e. Vishwa-Guru, a word much politicised in the modern context. The importance of narratives being set by those in power were forewarned by the master a long time ago. It needs to be thought : Have we learnt our lessons enough?

In one of the sections, there is a portion on the symbolism of Nataraja. I would highly recommend reading this part along with the wonderful lecture by Dr. R. Nagaswamy in Atharva Forum. Quite eye-opening and very highly educative. The concept of meta-physical in physical lives is a recurring theme across various works of AKC as captured by the author. I can’t help but quote this from the book, a quote from one of the prefaces of AKC’s books: “One might say that Coomaraswamy wrote more than many people read in the course of one life”. As one reads more about the master AKC, it shouldn’t surprise that there is a lot of overlap between AKC’s concepts and DVG. In one section, I couldn’t help but remember DVG’s comments on Rasa and how the same applies beautifully to what AKC was describing. Two geniuses whom we are blessed to read.

The concept of art and its applicability in personal and societal life is another recurring theme of AKC’s works. While DVG’s Kagga is a recurring theme of the book, the author also references Pu. Thi. Na. as well as Abhinava Gupta’s works. For those interested in the real meaning of secularism, I would highly recommend page no. 87 of the book. The perennial conflict in the thoughts and values of Eastern and Western societies is well elucidated by AKC across his writings. AKC’s observations on Missionaries and Conversion makes for an interesting and very pertinent read, for it provides an academic and civilisational view than a political one. If the truth is universal, why should one convert? - Question asked by AKC which should become food for thought. Across his writings, AKC emphasises and re-emphasises the universal appeal, applicability and eternal nature of Sanatana Dharma. Vedanta’s influence in one’s life where the metaphysical is nothing but a reflection of internal is very deep. I couldn’t help but remember a similar concept explained in the concept of Mahabharatha by Dr. V. S. Sukthankar.

To conclude, I need to admit something first. I haven’t read The Dance of Siva. Read as it should be read. This book has inspired me to delve deeper into AKC’s works. To pack such a huge repository of information and nuggets of wisdom into a small book is truly masterful. An absolute GEM of a book. MASTERPIECE is an understatement. I would highly recommend all Kannada readers to definitely read this book.