Indian Saints (In 2 Volumes)

These two volumes of Medieval Indian Saints present an English translation of Bhaktavijaya or Triumphs of Saints a Marathi classic composed by Mahfipati (1715-1790), in verse, that may ‘be placed’ according to L.J. Sedgawick I.C.S., ‘among the finest of the productions of the world’. Both the author and translator Justin E. Abbott (1853-1932), were born in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra. The linguistic and, in a way, cultural affinity between the author and translator resulted in the authentic English version of Bhaktavijaya. Bhaktavijaya has been hailed by Marathi scholars, a source-book that depicts the life and teachings of Indian Saints. It ‘conveys an atmosphere rather than exact history’ ; provides ample ‘biographical material rather than biography’ in the style of legends, highlighting the true devotional spirit of saints destined to be victorious while at war with ignorance (avidya). The English translation also enables those who wish to acquaint themselves with the religions of the others, necessary to understand and appreciate one’s own religion in the background of similarities and dissimilarities. Modern man seems to have lost his direction. He is bewildered ‘ Man’s activities are two-told : He acts (i) at the level of nature and (ii) at the human level. While confronting nature, in the process, he discovers laws of nature and manipulates these laws for his material benefits. Such an activity, in the final analysis, initiates the course of growth of civilization. Civilization, at any stage of history of mankind, is but a mirror of its material progress. Materialism, that too, when pursued to a limited extent, is useful provided it is not allowed to eclipse the spiritual side of man’s personality. This spiritual aspect is better looked after, while working at the human level, cumulatively stored and called culture. Modern man, through his overenthusiasm for material progress, has preferred the blind alley of materialism and consequent upon that he is in anguish. It is high time to acquaint ourselves with the cultural heritage of mankind. Indian cultural heritage, next to Vedic seers, flourished in the lives and teachings of medieval Indian Saints. These two volumes give a vivid picture of life and teachings of saints viz. Jayadeva, Tulsidass Nama Deva, Kabir, Ramdass, Surdass, Sena, Mirabai, Eknath, and Tuka Ram etc. helpful in doing away with the anguish and bewilderment, the modern man is seized with.