Essay name: Kathasaritsagara (cultural study)
Author:
S. W. Chitale
Affiliation: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University / Department of History
This essay studies the Kathasaritsagara reflecting the history and cultural traditions of that period in Ancient India. The Katha-sarit-sagara, written by Somadeva, is a vast collection of nearly 350 stories compiled into 18 books. It holds immense cultural significance by reflecting diverse aspects of medieval Indian society, encompassing various classes, commerce, and folklore.
Chapter 1 - Kathasaritsagara and its Cultural Value
1 (of 26)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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CHAPTER I 1. Kathasaritsagara and its Cultural Value Somadeva, the father of Indian Fiction has left as his legacy to posterity, his famous and popular 'Magnum Opus' the Kathasaritsagara. It contains nearty 350 stories collected and put together by him into 18 books (Lambakas) of 124 Tarangas totally consisting of 24000 verses. Since all classes of stories of remote past have found entry into it, it is of immeasurable value from the point of view of the history of civilization. All folk-Tales, originally as they do among the vast folk, must reflect their life. The KSS according to Buhler, takes the first place among the numerous collections of fables and surpasses the 'Panchatantra' Vetal panchavimsatik膩, Simhasanadv膩trimsatik膩, Sukasaptati and other works as one of the great work of collection of fables 1 not only in bulk but also in other romances. '
Locate is of the opinion that "the Indian tales are
for its history, religious, literary and social, of an
importance of which no comparison with other literatures
could possibly give an adequate idea." This remark aptly
2 3
applies to KSS. As has been expressed by Speyer, KSS,
1. Buhler, G., I.A. Vol.I, p.302 'Brahatkatha of Kshamendra.
2. Locate Q.J.M.S. IV p.64-85.
3. Speyer 'Studies in Kathasaritsagara, 1908.
