The complete Indonesian Brahmandapurana has been translated into English for the first time in this work. It was rendered into classical Indonesian language (Kawi) in the tenth century A.D. Simple and lucid, it relates the story vividly in limpid fluency. The Indonesian Brahmandapurana is not literal Kawi rendering of the Sanskrit text. It is an original text in Kawi, which has taken inspiration from the Sanskrit Brahmandapurana and the Vayupurana. It follows Sanskrit passages. Although it is much shorter, it does not generally speaking, omit, the matter what is essential. The interesting feature of the Indonesian Brahmandapurana is that many slokas, double or single "Padas" are literally borrowed and interspersed at irregular interval. The Indonesian Brahmandapurana contains summaries of information on mythology, philosophy, geography, politics and so on. From the religious point of view, the Brahmandapurana is regarded as a sacred treatise in India as well as in ancient Indonesia. It has the ancient Vedic tradition which is called the fifth Veda. This English translation of the Indonesian Brahmandapurana has been done for the first time. Its corresponding Kawi text is given on the opposite pages to enable researchers to understand it, in depth. The present English translation of one of the great classical Indonesian literary texts would be of great help not only to students of indology, but also to others interested in the cultural development of Southeast Asia in ancient times.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi
Born in Puri Gerenceng, Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi received his graduation in Bali itself in Institute of Hindu Dharma with a thesis on 'A Glance of Tembang Badung Temple'. Further, he specialised in Agamic Hinduism and Ancient Indian History. At the end of 1978, he won a scholarship to India, where he continued his studies centred on Agamic Hinduism. Since then, he has been continuously living in India to the present, with support from various scholarships: 1978-79 Scholarship from International Academy of Indian Culture; 1979-81 General Culture Scholarship Scheme from Government of India; 1981-85 General Culture Scholarship Scheme from Government of India; 1985-88 Senior Scholarship Holder from Indian Council of Historical Research. Dr. I. Gusti Putu Phalgunadi has contributed with many articles and published many books such as: Hinduism in Bali (1984), The Indonesian Mahabharata: Adiparva (1990), Evolution of Hindu Culture in Bali (1991), The Indonesian Mahabharata: Virataparva (1992), The Indonesian Mahabharata-Udyogaparva (1994), A Fundamental Dictionary of Balinese Language and Culture (1995), The Indonesian Mahabharata-Bhismaparva (1995), Study of the South-East Asian Chronical Pararaton (1996), The Indonesian Mahabharata Asramavasaparva, Mausaparva, Svargarohanaparva, Prasthanikaparva (1997). At present he is working on the subject: "The Harivamsa Purana in Indonesia", as well as translating the Sabhaparva and the Brahmandapurana.
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