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[APRIL, 1908.
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
112
KALIDASA'S ABIJNANA - SAKUNTALAM. The text he had, he would at least have added something with a literal English translation and an original more about the nandi. Nor has he made & Sanskrit Commentary by SABADARANJAN RAY. thorough study of the Prikrita, and his treatment Calcutta: The City Book Society, 1908, iv, 376 pages,
of the various dislects is unsatisfactory. The 8vo.
fact remains that only the Bengali recension
presents a good and consistent Prakrit, and This new edition of the Sakuntalam is not
in this respect it is hopeless to arrive at a intended to be critical. The editor mentions three
satisfactory text on eclectic principles. of the current recensions of the play, the Bengali, the Devanagart, and the South Indian. He does
But the editor does not, as already remarked, not profess to know more than the two first ones,
intend to give a critical edition of Kalidasa's and he has not apparently heard about the
play. His intention seems to be to furnish a Kashmiri text. For the Bengali recension be
text book for University examinations. And in inade use of Pischel's standard edition, but
this respect I suppose that his work may be of use, the best edition of the Någarf recension by
because he has added a very easy commentary Boehtlingk has apparently escaped his notice.
and a fairly correot translation. Besides, the He is rightly of opinion that none of the known
number of misprinte is not very great. Most recensions can, in every reapect, represent the
other editions which could be used by Indian original. But he forgets that it is too early, if
students, share the mistakes and shortcomings of it will ever be possible, to reconstruct kalidAss's
this new one. But it is a pity that no critical work, as it was written by him. And at all
edition exists in India of this the most famous of events, that can never be done in the way, in
all Indian plays. Indian scholars complain that which he has set to work, by comparing six
the study of Sanskrit is on the wane in India, editions and selecting his readings from " consi.
Sanskrit being gradually replaced by English. I derations of style, propriety, and so forth." He
am of opinion that this fact, if fact it be, is very seems to think that our manuscripts of the play
much to be regretted. A nation with such a have been "copied by the pupils, when they
splendid old civilisation as the Indian is sure to commence reading. They take down daily from
loose heavily, if it gradually gives up the earnest the Professor's manuscript their lesson for the
study of its own history and literature. And next day. At this stage they are not competent
the SAkuntala is one of those works, which seems to add or alter designedly.' Indeed, I do not
eminently adapted for keeping the interest alive. think additions or alterations come from the
It would be of importance if it could be presented copyista be they with or without scholarship.
to the Indian public in as pure a form as possible. These are due to the Professors themselves.". He
To effect that sim, it would perhaps prove goes on to point out, how the Professors are apt
necessary to combine Indian and European to add to and change the texts in order to make
scholarship. But as matters have developed in them more legible, or to insert their own ideas.
India, I think that we must be thankful for every I am afraid that the editor will not easily be able
work that opens the door to the beauties of to convince other scholars of the soundness of
KAlidasa's masterpiece. And here, I believe, lies this view.
the importance of this new edition. It makes it
easy to those who have learnt more English With regard to Kalidasa's date, the editor than Sanskrit to understand the play. And I reverta to the old theory that he belongs to the sincerely hope that some students will learn froin first century B. O. He promises to return to the it that the Indian literature is well worth a subject on some other occasion, and I may then study for its own sake, and not only as a subject have something to say about it. For tbe time for University examinations. Unselfish study being, I shall only remark that personally I do and search for knowledge used to be the pride of not feel any doubt that Kalidasa belongs to the the educated Indian, and everyone who has had best times of the Gupta Empire. The importance the privilege to meet Pandits of the old school, of the Guptas in the history of Indian art and will know that the soil is still prepared, and that literature becomes more evident every day. And
some more encouragement would be sure to poet with such exceptional grasp of art as contribute to a revival of that Indian learning, Kalidasa would scarcely be intelligible at any which has always been admired by those who other period of Indian history.
know.
The editor has not made himself acquainted with the rich literature on dramatic theory. It!
STEN KONOW.
