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Punjabi Literature
BHARTARI HARI'S VAIRAGYA SHATAK
Navtej Singh
As we mentioned in our Page on Justice Sardar Man
Singh, that he translated the Sanskrit Vairagya Shatak of Bhartari Hari into
Punjabi, we are publishing below what the Scholars of early forties (when the
Book was published) had to say about it:
Prof. I.C. Nanda, M.A., Model Town, Lahore, had this to say about the
translation of Justice Man Singh:
Bhartari
Hari is a well-known Sanskrit classic which has won world-wide recognition for
its rich cultural and poetical treasures. It has been translated into several
Indian and foreign languages, and it is extremely gratifying that Sardar Man
Singh, Judge, Gurdwara Tribunal, has now brought a Punjabi Translation of the
Vairag Shatak.
The
translation reads exceedingly well. It is marked by choice diction and smooth
flowing style, and possesses distinct poetical charm.
A notable
feature of the publication is a learned and scholarly preface dealing with the
life and ideals of Bhartari Hari. This part of the work bears unmistakable
evidence of conscientious industry and research. The publication is, indeed, a
welcome contribution to Punjabi Literature and deserves an honoured place on
the library shelf.
- I.C. Nanda
Sardar Umrao Singh Majithia, Simla,
wrote thus:
I duly
received the advance copy of your translation in Punjabi of Bhartari Hari
Vairagya Shatak, for which please accept my thanks.
I have no hesitation
to saying that it would be very difficult, if not impossible, to render the
original Sanskrit of Bhartri Hari with geater literary accuracy and grace in
the medium of our Punjabi tongue, than you have achieved.
I am
inclined to object to one thing which you seem to have ignored
The
rescension adopted by Budhendra should have been adopted instead of the others
which lack his taste and choice of the verse, and his very sensible arrangement
of the same. For he has selected, if not found, only one hundred of the best
ones and arranged them in a coherent topical order. It is another question if
actually he got hold of the authentic ones, but his choice is to my mind
incomparable
- Umrao Singh Shergil
In the words of Dr. Sir Gokal Chand Narang, Former
Minister,
Punjab Government,
Lahore:
It was very
kind of you to send me a copy of your translation of Bhartari Hari Vairagya
Shatak. I have gone through it with great pleasure.
I did not know that
you were a poet and a poet of such high order. I am a lay man in these matters
but I have no hesitation in saying hat your translation is an excellent one.
Judging from the original text of the few shalokas which I happen to remember
by heart, I can say that your translation is not only idiomatic and eloquent
Punjabi but it is also faithful to the original text, except, of course, in
places where you have expressly stated your translation to be a free one. It is
not an easy task to keep up the strength, beauty and flow of the original text
to a commendable degree. I am sure that those who have no access to the
original will read your translation and benefit.
- G.C. Narang
Click on the link below to read the Preface to the Translation of
Bharthari Hari's Vairag Shatak by Justice S. Man Singh -
published in the year 1941:
VAIRAG SHATAK
Click on the link below to read the Manglacharan by Justice Man Singh Ji to the Translation of
Bharthari Hari's Vairag Shatak:
MANGLACHARAN
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