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HITOPADESHA BY NARAYANA: A New English Translation
The Hitopadesha -whichliterally means good advice-was composed in Sanskrit sometime between the ninthand tenth centuries CE by Pandit Narayana. Arranged in four fascinatingsections-Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War, and Making Peace-thevignettes that comprise the text include tales of anthropomorphized birds andanimals who are imbued with all too human qualities and frailties. Using humour, satire, and unconventionalmethods of narration, the stories in the collection prescribe canny andpragmatic responses to a range of very human situations, ambitions, problems, and dilemmas. Not only does the book have advice for the rulerwho is too timid or too haughty, but also for the minister who must serve him, as for the innocent husband with the conniving wife, the beautiful wife withthe undeserving husband, friends turned enemies, enemies reconciled, cleverpeople, foolish people, the greedy, the distraught, and so on. The Hitopadesha , like the Panchatantra , is among the most widelytranslated classical texts of India. This new version by historian andSanskritist Shonaleeka Kaul is an idiomatic translation in simple narrativeprose and free verse that retains the freshness and wit of the original.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published June 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 17, 2022
Hitopadesha is like Panchatantra and literally means "wise advice". The original work was written in Sanskrit by Narayana during the nineteenth century, and it was translated into English by Shonaleeka Kaul.
Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War, and Making Peace comprise the entirety of this book. In replicating the original work while preserving the essence of Hitopadesha, the author has done her part. Each section explains the uniqueness of the book so that one can relish its pureness.
Throughout the book there are verses and prose that are laced with satire and hilarity. At times the mix of these verse and prose caused a turbulence in the flow of reading that felt a bit out of place.
In addition, Shonalee has translated these ancient stories in a way that unites a fine combination of a traditional effect and a modern style. Panchantra fans would likely prefer this book, and for children it would be little difficult to adapt since it’s a mixture of prose and verse.
Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War, and Making Peace comprise the entirety of this book. In replicating the original work while preserving the essence of Hitopadesha, the author has done her part. Each section explains the uniqueness of the book so that one can relish its pureness.
Throughout the book there are verses and prose that are laced with satire and hilarity. At times the mix of these verse and prose caused a turbulence in the flow of reading that felt a bit out of place.
In addition, Shonalee has translated these ancient stories in a way that unites a fine combination of a traditional effect and a modern style. Panchantra fans would likely prefer this book, and for children it would be little difficult to adapt since it’s a mixture of prose and verse.
August 12, 2022
Here begins The Hitopadesha!
"May the endeavours of good people
succeed by the grace of Lord Shiva
whose head is adorned by the crescent moon,
which is formed as if by the foam of the river Ganga. '
The Hitopadesha begins and ends by invoking God,just like many classical texts.This ancient ethico-didactic text by pandit Narayaṇa is translated to English for modern readers by historian and Sanskritist, Shonaleela Kaul. Its an epigrammatic text in prose and verse, which is indebted to the the Panchtantra for three-quarters of it's contents. Divided into four parts - Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War and Making Peace, this text lays principles of political wisdom and pragmatic living.
"Unlike all expectations and stereotypes today about Sanskrit literature, which is rather sweepingly regarded as conservative and geared towards reproducing social hierarchies, a didactic work like Hitopadesha could simultaneously be Antinomian"
- Shonaleela Kaul.
For a translator, their major challenge is to transport the world of the original text to another culture with their moisture and fragrance intact, and at the same time to present them in an ambience the English reader will be able to appreciate.
For that the translator, as Spivak states, need to willingly surrender his/her self to the text.
Kaul was able to recapture authentically its milieu in all its nuances as well as acquire the idioms. Without doubt it's a great translation.
Introduction chapters were pretty insightful and as a historian and Sanskritist, it was great reading Kaur's modernist , yet unwavering take on the ancient classical text. However I find the book not an engaging read as the blend of verse and prose somehow disrupted the flow of reading and its at times a test of patience. Also, many of the verses had misogynistic taste to it, which didn't sit well with me.
"Fire never tires of wood,
the sea never has enough of rivers,
death never tires of creatures,
and women never get enough of men! "
On other note, which classical texts doesn't have misogynistic bend to it?
However,Kaur asks the readers to look at the text through an antinomian didactic lens.
Recommended to readers who love to read a mix of prose and verse of the tales. Children may find it difficult to read. Overall, it's an okay read.
"May the endeavours of good people
succeed by the grace of Lord Shiva
whose head is adorned by the crescent moon,
which is formed as if by the foam of the river Ganga. '
The Hitopadesha begins and ends by invoking God,just like many classical texts.This ancient ethico-didactic text by pandit Narayaṇa is translated to English for modern readers by historian and Sanskritist, Shonaleela Kaul. Its an epigrammatic text in prose and verse, which is indebted to the the Panchtantra for three-quarters of it's contents. Divided into four parts - Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War and Making Peace, this text lays principles of political wisdom and pragmatic living.
"Unlike all expectations and stereotypes today about Sanskrit literature, which is rather sweepingly regarded as conservative and geared towards reproducing social hierarchies, a didactic work like Hitopadesha could simultaneously be Antinomian"
- Shonaleela Kaul.
For a translator, their major challenge is to transport the world of the original text to another culture with their moisture and fragrance intact, and at the same time to present them in an ambience the English reader will be able to appreciate.
For that the translator, as Spivak states, need to willingly surrender his/her self to the text.
Kaul was able to recapture authentically its milieu in all its nuances as well as acquire the idioms. Without doubt it's a great translation.
Introduction chapters were pretty insightful and as a historian and Sanskritist, it was great reading Kaur's modernist , yet unwavering take on the ancient classical text. However I find the book not an engaging read as the blend of verse and prose somehow disrupted the flow of reading and its at times a test of patience. Also, many of the verses had misogynistic taste to it, which didn't sit well with me.
"Fire never tires of wood,
the sea never has enough of rivers,
death never tires of creatures,
and women never get enough of men! "
On other note, which classical texts doesn't have misogynistic bend to it?
However,Kaur asks the readers to look at the text through an antinomian didactic lens.
Recommended to readers who love to read a mix of prose and verse of the tales. Children may find it difficult to read. Overall, it's an okay read.
July 24, 2022
👉𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊:-
📚ⓉⒾⓉⓁⒺ:- Hitopadesha by Narayana
🖋️ⒶⓊⓉⒽⓄⓇ:- Shonaleeka Kaul
🗞️ⓅⓊⒷⓁⒾⓈⒽⒺⓇ:- Aleph Books Publication
🔤ⓁⒶⓃⒼⓊⒶⒼⒺ:- English
📖ⒻⓄⓇⓂⒶⓉ:- Hardcover
👉𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:-
Indian mythological books & its beauty are indispensable. Hitopadesha which means good advices is such a collection of short stories containing some of the moral values of life. It was originally written by Pandit Narayana in 9th & 10th century.
.
Here author compiled some of those stories dividing into 4 sections.
1. Winning Friends
2. Losing Friends
3. Waging War
4. Making Peace
.
Each sections contain 10-12 stories on an average where each stories of each section dedicated to a perticular theme that is the title of that section.
.
To know more about it grab the book & give it a try.
👉𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :-
🙂 Cover of the book is nice. It is designed in an attractive manner to draw attentions of both kids & adults.
🙂 Writing style of the book good. Here author nicely comprised all the stories that are going to add values in everyone's life.
🙂 Language used in the book is simple & easily understandable. You can read it without any sort of difficulties.
🙂 The actual Hitopadesha author created a world of animals & birds who have the similar feelings like humans & here that is just replicated which just carried forward that essence of Hitopadesha.
🙂 The images used in the book at the beginning of each sections are beautiful. But I am expecting some more images that will drag the attention of kids more.
🙂 This book is not just a book for me but a nostalgic feeling because when I am a kid I used to read Hitopadesha, Panchatantra a lot. Reading another version of it after many days took me to the below memory lane of my summer vacation days & those times in the evening after my school when I spent a lot of time with these books.
🙂 Book is nicely paced. You can easily finish it in 2 go. But the feeling this book give is unmatchable.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
📚ⓉⒾⓉⓁⒺ:- Hitopadesha by Narayana
🖋️ⒶⓊⓉⒽⓄⓇ:- Shonaleeka Kaul
🗞️ⓅⓊⒷⓁⒾⓈⒽⒺⓇ:- Aleph Books Publication
🔤ⓁⒶⓃⒼⓊⒶⒼⒺ:- English
📖ⒻⓄⓇⓂⒶⓉ:- Hardcover
👉𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:-
Indian mythological books & its beauty are indispensable. Hitopadesha which means good advices is such a collection of short stories containing some of the moral values of life. It was originally written by Pandit Narayana in 9th & 10th century.
.
Here author compiled some of those stories dividing into 4 sections.
1. Winning Friends
2. Losing Friends
3. Waging War
4. Making Peace
.
Each sections contain 10-12 stories on an average where each stories of each section dedicated to a perticular theme that is the title of that section.
.
To know more about it grab the book & give it a try.
👉𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒 :-
🙂 Cover of the book is nice. It is designed in an attractive manner to draw attentions of both kids & adults.
🙂 Writing style of the book good. Here author nicely comprised all the stories that are going to add values in everyone's life.
🙂 Language used in the book is simple & easily understandable. You can read it without any sort of difficulties.
🙂 The actual Hitopadesha author created a world of animals & birds who have the similar feelings like humans & here that is just replicated which just carried forward that essence of Hitopadesha.
🙂 The images used in the book at the beginning of each sections are beautiful. But I am expecting some more images that will drag the attention of kids more.
🙂 This book is not just a book for me but a nostalgic feeling because when I am a kid I used to read Hitopadesha, Panchatantra a lot. Reading another version of it after many days took me to the below memory lane of my summer vacation days & those times in the evening after my school when I spent a lot of time with these books.
🙂 Book is nicely paced. You can easily finish it in 2 go. But the feeling this book give is unmatchable.
𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑:-🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
September 19, 2022
HITOPADESHA BY NARAYANA: A New English Translation
@alephbookco
The term 'Hitopdesh' is a combination of two words. 'He' means welfare or benefit and 'Pradesh' means advice or counsel. So 'Hitopdesh' is a collection of tales that provides counsel and advice for the welfare and benefit of everyone. It is one of the most widely read children's books. Even in today's world, it continues to amaze and interest people with its simple but meaningful stories.
Hitopadesh composed by Narayana has a unique place in the Indian literature of Sanskrit. In Hitopadesh, stories related to the policy have been put down through animals, which are very valuable for a humane spirit.
These stories have a sense of truth, so they have become very popular too. Hitopadesh has attained as much popularity in Indian classical literature, hardly any other book has got. Not only in India but the world literature Hitopadesh has a glorious place.
Stories of a range of very human situations, ambitions, problems, and dilemmas are found in Hitopadesh, similar stories are not found in any classical literature in the world. A unique and unconventional method of narration.
Therefore, it has to be acknowledged that the stories of Hitopadesh are such stories which have their unique place not only in India but in the broad world. These stories of Hitopadesh are very useful and educative for children, adolescents, youth and adults. The stories are more or less similar to the Panchatantra stories which have the precious treasure of morality and knowledge.
This new version by historian and Sanskritist Shonaleeka Kaul is a colloquial translation in easy narrative prose and free verse that possesses the freshness and jest of the original.
From this point of view, this book holds its special place.
#hitopdesh #natayana #asianliterature #indianliterature #bookrecommendations #readwithak #bookishphotography #bookhaul #booktok
@alephbookco
The term 'Hitopdesh' is a combination of two words. 'He' means welfare or benefit and 'Pradesh' means advice or counsel. So 'Hitopdesh' is a collection of tales that provides counsel and advice for the welfare and benefit of everyone. It is one of the most widely read children's books. Even in today's world, it continues to amaze and interest people with its simple but meaningful stories.
Hitopadesh composed by Narayana has a unique place in the Indian literature of Sanskrit. In Hitopadesh, stories related to the policy have been put down through animals, which are very valuable for a humane spirit.
These stories have a sense of truth, so they have become very popular too. Hitopadesh has attained as much popularity in Indian classical literature, hardly any other book has got. Not only in India but the world literature Hitopadesh has a glorious place.
Stories of a range of very human situations, ambitions, problems, and dilemmas are found in Hitopadesh, similar stories are not found in any classical literature in the world. A unique and unconventional method of narration.
Therefore, it has to be acknowledged that the stories of Hitopadesh are such stories which have their unique place not only in India but in the broad world. These stories of Hitopadesh are very useful and educative for children, adolescents, youth and adults. The stories are more or less similar to the Panchatantra stories which have the precious treasure of morality and knowledge.
This new version by historian and Sanskritist Shonaleeka Kaul is a colloquial translation in easy narrative prose and free verse that possesses the freshness and jest of the original.
From this point of view, this book holds its special place.
#hitopdesh #natayana #asianliterature #indianliterature #bookrecommendations #readwithak #bookishphotography #bookhaul #booktok
January 31, 2023
‘Eloquence and truthfulness
become apparent from speech.
While humility and pacifism
can be known only through actions.’
The literal translation of ‘Hitopadesha’ is ‘good advice’. Through animals and anthropomorphized birds and animals, blended prose and verse, maxims and fables, and stories that are seamlessly weaved into one another, Hitopadesha is an ancient Sanskrit text that teaches ‘niti’ (prudent conduct) and reinforces the supremacy of intellect over physical force.
Though bearing roots in the Indic civilisation and written around a 1000 years ago, the text transcends boundaries to find relevance across geographies and generations since it builds on the most fundamental human emotions, aspirations, predicaments and apprehensions. No matter who you are or where you are from, you’ll feel this book was written just for you.
Like most Indians, I grew up reading the stories from ‘Hitopadesha’ but reading the text in its entirety was an experience like no other. The introduction at the beginning was an enlightening slice of history and elevated the whole experience in so many ways. Reading this book was like riding a wave of nostalgia and the very meticulous translation is commendable.
This book dons many hats - it is a lesson in humility for the haughty, a survival guide for the timid, a strategic roadmap for those facing conflict and a word of caution for the gullible. Within its many layers lie lessons in pragmatism and directions on living a fulfilling life based on principles and ideals in a not-so-ideal world.
A book I will be reaching for in both comfort and distress. A must-have!
become apparent from speech.
While humility and pacifism
can be known only through actions.’
The literal translation of ‘Hitopadesha’ is ‘good advice’. Through animals and anthropomorphized birds and animals, blended prose and verse, maxims and fables, and stories that are seamlessly weaved into one another, Hitopadesha is an ancient Sanskrit text that teaches ‘niti’ (prudent conduct) and reinforces the supremacy of intellect over physical force.
Though bearing roots in the Indic civilisation and written around a 1000 years ago, the text transcends boundaries to find relevance across geographies and generations since it builds on the most fundamental human emotions, aspirations, predicaments and apprehensions. No matter who you are or where you are from, you’ll feel this book was written just for you.
Like most Indians, I grew up reading the stories from ‘Hitopadesha’ but reading the text in its entirety was an experience like no other. The introduction at the beginning was an enlightening slice of history and elevated the whole experience in so many ways. Reading this book was like riding a wave of nostalgia and the very meticulous translation is commendable.
This book dons many hats - it is a lesson in humility for the haughty, a survival guide for the timid, a strategic roadmap for those facing conflict and a word of caution for the gullible. Within its many layers lie lessons in pragmatism and directions on living a fulfilling life based on principles and ideals in a not-so-ideal world.
A book I will be reaching for in both comfort and distress. A must-have!
August 28, 2022
“Hitopadesha” is a collection of stories written originally in Sanskrit that centralized around the theme of humanizing birds and animals and rendering them with human-like abilities and qualities. These stories were meant to be a medium for imparting good and valuable advice to the common folks in a form that amalgamated both prose and free verse styles of writing.
This entire book is divided into four sections namely Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War, and Making Peace. Each section comprises verses and prose sprinkled with a fair interplay of satire and humor that gives it an interesting dimension. I am also very impressed by the way Kaul has translated these ancient stories with a healthy blend of classical and contemporary tones.
Since I have always been a big fan of Panchatantra stories, I had quite high expectations from this book. The initial chapters were able to grab my attention on top of that vibrant and catchy cover, however, the later chapters proved to be a task to decipher. The language, even though translated, took me time to get a grip on and there were so many instances where I had to read a particular verse or prose multiple times to perceive its meaning.
Also, I found that the writing style as well as the essence of the stories had a patriarchal bias to them and often sounded misogynistic. If you are not a fan of such kinds of stories, I would suggest you pick something else.
This entire book is divided into four sections namely Winning Friends, Losing Friends, Waging War, and Making Peace. Each section comprises verses and prose sprinkled with a fair interplay of satire and humor that gives it an interesting dimension. I am also very impressed by the way Kaul has translated these ancient stories with a healthy blend of classical and contemporary tones.
Since I have always been a big fan of Panchatantra stories, I had quite high expectations from this book. The initial chapters were able to grab my attention on top of that vibrant and catchy cover, however, the later chapters proved to be a task to decipher. The language, even though translated, took me time to get a grip on and there were so many instances where I had to read a particular verse or prose multiple times to perceive its meaning.
Also, I found that the writing style as well as the essence of the stories had a patriarchal bias to them and often sounded misogynistic. If you are not a fan of such kinds of stories, I would suggest you pick something else.
June 30, 2022
“The words spoken by wicked people, though pleasant and agreeable, generate fear like the flowers blossoming out of season”.
The aspect of virtue has always been a sine qua non of our Indian Culture and it's ingrained in our conscience right from our childhood the most beautiful phase of our life is easily adorned by a book that preaches wisdom and virtue. The 224 pages long book from its title reflects its archaic origin which is a Sanskrit word that stands for words of wisdom. Delving further, the book has been divided into 4 books and they can be construed as chapters themselves. Starting with the same, the book begins with the introduction section detailing how it all originated, and further details are shed on the same. As the chapters go further, a similar pattern is followed concerning the underlying theme of the book.
The writing aspect of the book can be considered as fairly simple and the translator is responsible for the same as a commendable job is done in that aspect for it overall makes virtue and wisdom more accessible for the readers. The combined effect of all the stated aspects make this book a must-read for people of all age and not just children as learning to be wise is not bound by age restrictions.
The aspect of virtue has always been a sine qua non of our Indian Culture and it's ingrained in our conscience right from our childhood the most beautiful phase of our life is easily adorned by a book that preaches wisdom and virtue. The 224 pages long book from its title reflects its archaic origin which is a Sanskrit word that stands for words of wisdom. Delving further, the book has been divided into 4 books and they can be construed as chapters themselves. Starting with the same, the book begins with the introduction section detailing how it all originated, and further details are shed on the same. As the chapters go further, a similar pattern is followed concerning the underlying theme of the book.
The writing aspect of the book can be considered as fairly simple and the translator is responsible for the same as a commendable job is done in that aspect for it overall makes virtue and wisdom more accessible for the readers. The combined effect of all the stated aspects make this book a must-read for people of all age and not just children as learning to be wise is not bound by age restrictions.
August 18, 2022
Hitopadesha, like the Panchtantra, advocates 'good advice'. Its four sections- winning friends, losing friends, waging war and making peace- comprise candid verses on relationships and their paradoxical nature. Most often, animals and birds are the spokesperson yet some beautiful lines have humans as a part.
Read the complete review here: https://www.aliveshadow.com/category-...
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