Some Problems of Indian Literature

Professor M. Winternitz is one of the most distinguished German Sanskritists of this century. He visited India during 1922-23 at the invitation of Rabindranath Tagore. At that time he delivered six lectures on various problems of Indian literary historiography at the University of Calcutta. Some Problems of Indian Literature is the collection of those illuminating lectures which gave new insights to the study of Indian literature and culture. Here one finds pragmatic suggestions towards the ascertaining of the date of composition of the Vedic hymns, lucid analysis of the nature of ascetic poetry as found in the Mahabharata as well as in various Buddhist and Jain texts, an exposition on the ancient Indian ballads and their relation with later epics and plays, a thoughtful account of the Arthasastra and also one of the early critique on the plays of Bhasa. Professor Winternitz considered the history of the literary treasures "as part and parcel of the history of man." This comprehensive and larger view of literary history has given his writings a distinction. The chapter on Indian Literature and World Literature is an essay towards the understanding of the universality of literature. His admiration for Sanskrit literature is balanced by his objectivity and the lucidity of hi style is but a manifestation of the clarity and richness of his thought and perception. In fact, this book is to be read and appreciated as a part of his greater work. History of Indian Literature, the most comprehensive and authoritative account of the ancient Indian literary activities.