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
5 (of 26)
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9 10 11 5 12
Keith, M. Krishnamachariar, Krishnachaitanya, C.K.
Raja and others, on the other hand, argue that the fables
and tales first orginiated in the Vedic literature. This
literature is full of tales about men and gods, animals and
birds. In Rigveda Brahmins are compared to crocking frogs
as they sing at their sacrifice. In Upanishadas Janasruti
is mentioned as attracting the attention of pious Raivaka p
14 15
13 to the conversation of the two flamingoes or again the one of
Satyakama being instructed first by a bull, then by a flamingo
and then by an acquistic bird. Again in Chandogaya Upanishada
hady
.
we have a living picture of dogs reciting 'mantras' like
priests and howling for food. These instances, Keith and
others argue, are definitely indicative of the origin of
fables and tales during the Vedic period. Both these schools,
thus, one way or the other, trace the origin of the fables
and tabes from the Vedic literature. One cannot therefore
accept the earlier view and reject the later as wrong, since
both of these views are realiably supported for conclusive
proof.
It appears that there was a mass of floating story
and fable literature in circulation among the Indians from a
9. Keith A.B. History of Sanskrit Literature, pp.242-244.
10. Krishnamachariar M. History of Sanskrit Literature,p.412.
11. Krishnachaitanya, 'A New History of Sanskrit Literature
p.412.
12. Raja C.K. 'A survey of Sanskrit Literature, pp. 233,237.
13. Keith A.B. op.cit., pp. 242-244.
14. Krishna Chaitanaya op. cit., pp.360-361.
15. Ibid. op.cit. pp.360-361.
