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गोमांतक
Gomantak is translated in English by Manjula Tekal. This book is a story written in verse by Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The story is about an idyllic village on Maharashtra’s Konkan coast, which graphically describes the Portuguese misrule, during which they forcibly converted Hindus to Christianity en masse and held bloodcurdling Inquisitions terrorizing Hindus, destroying their places of worship, etc.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2013
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About the author
V.D. Savarkar
70 books184 followersHe was the proponent of liberty as the ultimate ideal. Savarkar was a poet, writer and playwright. He launched a movement for religious reform advocating dismantling the system of caste in Hindu culture, and reconversion of the converted Hindus back to Hindu religion. Savarkar created the term Hindutva, and emphasized its distinctiveness from Hinduism which he associated with social and political disunity. Savarkar’s Hindutva sought to create an inclusive collective identity. The five elements of Savarkar's philosophy were Utilitarianism, Rationalism and Positivism, Humanism and Universalism, Pragmatism and Realism.
Savarkar's revolutionary activities began when studying in India and England, where he was associated with the India House and founded student societies including Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society, as well as publications espousing the cause of complete Indian independence by revolutionary means. Savarkar published The Indian War of Independence about the Indian rebellion of 1857 that was banned by British authorities. He was arrested in 1910 for his connections with the revolutionary group India House.
Following a failed attempt to escape while being transported from Marseilles, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms amounting to 50 years' imprisonment and moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
While in jail, Savarkar wrote the work describing Hindutva, openly espousing Hindu nationalism. He was released in 1921 under restrictions after signing a plea for clemency in which he renounced revolutionary activities. Travelling widely, Savarkar became a forceful orator and writer, advocating Hindu political and social unity. Serving as the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar endorsed the ideal of India as a Hindu Rashtra and opposed the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a "Quit India but keep your army" movement. He became a fierce critic of the Indian National Congress and its acceptance of India's partition, and was one of those accused in the assassination of Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was acquitted as the charges could not be proven.
The airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar's capital, has been named Veer Savarkar International Airport.The commemorative blue plaque on India House fixed by the Historic Building and Monuments Commission for England reads "Vinayak Damodar Savarkar 1883-1966 Indian patriot and philosopher lived here".
Savarkar's revolutionary activities began when studying in India and England, where he was associated with the India House and founded student societies including Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society, as well as publications espousing the cause of complete Indian independence by revolutionary means. Savarkar published The Indian War of Independence about the Indian rebellion of 1857 that was banned by British authorities. He was arrested in 1910 for his connections with the revolutionary group India House.
Following a failed attempt to escape while being transported from Marseilles, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms amounting to 50 years' imprisonment and moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
While in jail, Savarkar wrote the work describing Hindutva, openly espousing Hindu nationalism. He was released in 1921 under restrictions after signing a plea for clemency in which he renounced revolutionary activities. Travelling widely, Savarkar became a forceful orator and writer, advocating Hindu political and social unity. Serving as the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar endorsed the ideal of India as a Hindu Rashtra and opposed the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a "Quit India but keep your army" movement. He became a fierce critic of the Indian National Congress and its acceptance of India's partition, and was one of those accused in the assassination of Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was acquitted as the charges could not be proven.
The airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar's capital, has been named Veer Savarkar International Airport.The commemorative blue plaque on India House fixed by the Historic Building and Monuments Commission for England reads "Vinayak Damodar Savarkar 1883-1966 Indian patriot and philosopher lived here".
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 6, 2023
यह पुस्तक मूल रूप से मराठी में एक कविता के रूप में लिखी गई थी और मैंने इस पुस्तक को हिंदी में पढ़ा। सावरकर की महाकाव्य कविता गोमांतक ने कई गोवा वासी को प्रेरित करने का काम किया। यह उन्हें मिशनरियों द्वारा बड़े पैमाने पर धर्मांतरण से उपनिवेशवाद के खिलाफ लड़ने और हिंदुओं की रक्षा करने के लिए प्रेरित करता है।
May 11, 2023
If the Malabar story was gut wrenching, this emotional tale from the shores of the Konkan about the barbarities perpetuated by the Portuguese is mind numbing & quite frankly painful beyond words. The author has captured the horror stories of the Goa Inquisition in the form of a simple tale set in the tiny village of Bhargava, the unfortunately becomes the target of the invaders and how the lives of normal people get changed overnight. While Veer Savarkar’s writing is powerful enough to communicate the most excruciating of details in very few words, equal credit should be given to Manjula Tekal ji for effectively translating yet another saga into simple English, while retaining the underlying emotions & pain as penned by the author.
One can identify few characters with some of the notable figures of the past or current society. For example, the character of the Sadhu is quite reflective of the misplaced trust in values & morals and ignoring the warning signs under the garb of wider common goodwill. The author weaves very valuable lessons amidst the poignant narrative in the form of interactions between the characters. As an example, one can consider the scenario where a lie or at least truth not being spoken could have saved many lives. Yet, the hubris of some leads to quite disastrous consequences as set in the narrative. The violence unleashed in the name of religion is quite shocking. The author does pose questions to the reader in the form of a few characters who question the wisdom of the self-appointed representatives in propagating this inhumane behaviour.
The speech given by the Teacher’s son about the acceptance back into fold or Ghar Wapsi as it’s known today is perhaps one of the finest speeches on Dharma, Shastri and basic humanity. I feel this should be read widely for its rich content and extremely well articulated tenets of dharma on why acceptance is critical to the society as a whole. Additionally, the historical snippets related to Hyder Ali or Shivaji are quite illuminating and interesting. The story narrated by the lady from Shashti towards the latter half of the book is yet another intriguing discourse on Dharma. The last chapter is a poignant reminder of the society of late 16th century where slave trade was in vogue and the ramifications thereof. The story of Sankar is one of hope, positivity and triumph against all odds, but as with other instances, the same is lost amidst the cacophony of everyday life.
The translator’s note is rich with historical anecdotes, references and nuggets from 16th century India. This is a definitely enriching experience, more so to read how Savarkar wrote this novel in the first place.
Overall, a gut-wrenching fiction set in the ocean of realities. A MUST READ to understand the horrors of the past.
One can identify few characters with some of the notable figures of the past or current society. For example, the character of the Sadhu is quite reflective of the misplaced trust in values & morals and ignoring the warning signs under the garb of wider common goodwill. The author weaves very valuable lessons amidst the poignant narrative in the form of interactions between the characters. As an example, one can consider the scenario where a lie or at least truth not being spoken could have saved many lives. Yet, the hubris of some leads to quite disastrous consequences as set in the narrative. The violence unleashed in the name of religion is quite shocking. The author does pose questions to the reader in the form of a few characters who question the wisdom of the self-appointed representatives in propagating this inhumane behaviour.
The speech given by the Teacher’s son about the acceptance back into fold or Ghar Wapsi as it’s known today is perhaps one of the finest speeches on Dharma, Shastri and basic humanity. I feel this should be read widely for its rich content and extremely well articulated tenets of dharma on why acceptance is critical to the society as a whole. Additionally, the historical snippets related to Hyder Ali or Shivaji are quite illuminating and interesting. The story narrated by the lady from Shashti towards the latter half of the book is yet another intriguing discourse on Dharma. The last chapter is a poignant reminder of the society of late 16th century where slave trade was in vogue and the ramifications thereof. The story of Sankar is one of hope, positivity and triumph against all odds, but as with other instances, the same is lost amidst the cacophony of everyday life.
The translator’s note is rich with historical anecdotes, references and nuggets from 16th century India. This is a definitely enriching experience, more so to read how Savarkar wrote this novel in the first place.
Overall, a gut-wrenching fiction set in the ocean of realities. A MUST READ to understand the horrors of the past.
February 4, 2021
गोमान्त (गोवा) में पुर्तगाली-शासन की क्रूरता पर संक्षिप्त ऐतिहासिक उपन्यास जो पूज्य श्री सावरकर द्वारा अण्डमान कारागर में रचित मूल मराठी काव्य का हिन्दी गद्य रूपान्तरण है।
भाषाई लालित्य, ऐतिहासिक कथ्य, दार्शनिक माणिक्य इत्यादि तत्त्वों के समागम से यह ग्रन्थ अत्यन्त पठनीय बन पड़ा है।
पुस्तक में सन्त निनामी बाबा के चरित्र में पाठकों को हमारे प्यारे 'महात्मा' का स्पष्ट रूपक देखने को मिलेगा, जो न केवल बेहद रोचक अपितु प्रासङ्गिक भी है।
भाषाई लालित्य, ऐतिहासिक कथ्य, दार्शनिक माणिक्य इत्यादि तत्त्वों के समागम से यह ग्रन्थ अत्यन्त पठनीय बन पड़ा है।
पुस्तक में सन्त निनामी बाबा के चरित्र में पाठकों को हमारे प्यारे 'महात्मा' का स्पष्ट रूपक देखने को मिलेगा, जो न केवल बेहद रोचक अपितु प्रासङ्गिक भी है।
May 24, 2023
Gomanataka is translated to "Kannada" by Shivramu. The main author is Veer Sarvakar written in the Marathi language. The story mainly revolves around a Village from the Konkana region. Which is suffered by Portuguese injustice ruling, shattered by forcible conversion by Christian fanatics, bathed in Hindu blood by the Portuguese inquisition, and drowned in the misery of powerlessness.
Even though it's novel, The story is a graphical retelling of the horrors of the Goa Inquisition conducted by the Portuguese catholic church. Sarvakar has done a tremendous job in retelling the brutal horrors Hindus faced under the demonic catholic church in the name of Jesus, When you read each line in the book you could feel the barbaric nature, inhumanism, and fanaticism of missionaries and the church.
There are many characters in the book do portray many historical figures, even though their name is different in the book. If you have enough understanding of Indian history, you could relate many characters' personalities with historical figures.
Sarvakar has not just reminded us of the horrors of the church through this novel, but He also highlighted the emasculated society of Hindus in the name of non-violence and a vague understanding of the message of Vedas/Upanishads. The way he portrayed the horrors of the Church, He also criticized the passivity and denialism of Hindus brutally without hesitation.
There are many present-day topics like Gandhi's way of non-violence, Ghar vapsi, and preservation of dharma that are explored with sharp edges of rationality and intellectual depth. Till I read this book, I was skeptical about why Gandhi's way of non-violence was praised by the British and some Indians during the freedom movement. The conversation between Sadhu and Warrior young man gives a clear-cut picture of how Gandhi's non-violence way opened many ways for brutal violence against Hindus than violence way ever could. The book is not targeted at Gandhi, However, it gives a graphical view of how the passivity of Hindhus in the name of preserving Dharma emasculated them and also led to the growth of Adhrama in society. The passivity and denialism of Hindus still exist in the name of secularism, Maybe this is our curse gifted by Rishis along with the gifts of Vedas.
After finishing reading this book, If you have an ounce of devotion toward this eternal civilization. You will feel proud of Hindu warriors who shed their blood to preserve dharma and devoted their lives to preserve our ways where every country in the world has fallen under the brutality of Christianity and Islam.
Maybe Veer Sarvakar is sidelined by politicians, But when Dharma spread across every corner of this motherland and enters the vein of every son/daughter of this sacred land. Veer Sarvakar will live through each one of us, Chanting the shlokas of eternal dharma.
Har Har Mahadev!!!!
Even though it's novel, The story is a graphical retelling of the horrors of the Goa Inquisition conducted by the Portuguese catholic church. Sarvakar has done a tremendous job in retelling the brutal horrors Hindus faced under the demonic catholic church in the name of Jesus, When you read each line in the book you could feel the barbaric nature, inhumanism, and fanaticism of missionaries and the church.
There are many characters in the book do portray many historical figures, even though their name is different in the book. If you have enough understanding of Indian history, you could relate many characters' personalities with historical figures.
Sarvakar has not just reminded us of the horrors of the church through this novel, but He also highlighted the emasculated society of Hindus in the name of non-violence and a vague understanding of the message of Vedas/Upanishads. The way he portrayed the horrors of the Church, He also criticized the passivity and denialism of Hindus brutally without hesitation.
There are many present-day topics like Gandhi's way of non-violence, Ghar vapsi, and preservation of dharma that are explored with sharp edges of rationality and intellectual depth. Till I read this book, I was skeptical about why Gandhi's way of non-violence was praised by the British and some Indians during the freedom movement. The conversation between Sadhu and Warrior young man gives a clear-cut picture of how Gandhi's non-violence way opened many ways for brutal violence against Hindus than violence way ever could. The book is not targeted at Gandhi, However, it gives a graphical view of how the passivity of Hindhus in the name of preserving Dharma emasculated them and also led to the growth of Adhrama in society. The passivity and denialism of Hindus still exist in the name of secularism, Maybe this is our curse gifted by Rishis along with the gifts of Vedas.
After finishing reading this book, If you have an ounce of devotion toward this eternal civilization. You will feel proud of Hindu warriors who shed their blood to preserve dharma and devoted their lives to preserve our ways where every country in the world has fallen under the brutality of Christianity and Islam.
Maybe Veer Sarvakar is sidelined by politicians, But when Dharma spread across every corner of this motherland and enters the vein of every son/daughter of this sacred land. Veer Sarvakar will live through each one of us, Chanting the shlokas of eternal dharma.
Har Har Mahadev!!!!
March 29, 2023
Another remarkable book by Savarkar.
January 28, 2025
Thats what missionary did...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews