Book Title: Sambodhi 1989 Vol 16
Author(s): Ramesh S Betai, Yajneshwar S Shastri
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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Page 113
________________ 104 hope of embodying ideals in earthly institutions. When the Indian world lost its youth, it tended to become other-wordly. In a tired age, we adopt the gospel of renonciation and endurance. In an age of hope aud energy, we emphasize active service in the world and the saving of civilization. Boethius affirms that he will never go to heaven, who is content to go alone." "Cp. Yogavāșiştha. The knower has nothing to gain either by performing or by attaining from action. Therefore he performs action as it arises. Again, "To me it is just the same whether something is done or not. Why should I insist on not performing action ? I perform wliatever comes to me." (The transliterated slokas from Yogavasistha are not included here.) For reasons of space, translations of the two slokas by K.T. Telang, L.D. Barnett, Annie Besant and Bhagawandas, W. Douglas, P. Hill, B.G. Tilak, D.S. Sarma, Franklin Edgerton and Mahadev Desai and others have been left out. But from the half a dozen translations quoted here, it can be gathered that Radhakrishnan's version stands out as the most impressive, erudite and truly interpretative-especially with the emphasis on lokasamgraha. Radhakrishnan's translation is a model translation, when we take into consideration two noo4related languages like Sanskrit and English, even though they belong to the Indo-European family. Radhakrishnan, apart from being conversant with both languages from a professorial level, had a complete understanding of Oriental and Occidental philosophies, besides the psyche of our people and their ethos, wbich have sustained us through the centuries. Evidence of all this could be gathered from his version of the two slokas. In contrast, the four European translators according to their lights, had done simplistic, populist translations and the shastri had to abide by Samkara's commentary. 'Radhakrishnan's book was published in 1948. It was possibly written during the dark days of the Second World war or soon after. As such, when he wrote the preface, he began by saying that during the war and after the Sciences, in their practical applications became prominent in "the conduct of war and the comfort of citizens in peace.” Long before. C.P. Show and other intellectuals spoke about the "Two Cultures," the cultures of sciences and the Humanities and the telescoping of the two. Radhakrishnan made a plea for the fusion of two cultures," to give largeness and wisdom to men's outlook on life." He pointed out that

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