Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 15

Dipti Tripathi
SAMBODHI
systems also have their own oral traditions which is evident in the texts that have been handed down to us.
Those who have studied in the traditional Gurukula system or who have studied under the tutelage of a traditional guru are aware that while explaining the text the guru passes on information which is not available in written tradition. He would have acquired it in turn from his guru.
In the Shastric tradition when Poorvapaksha is presented many a time the source or origin of that principle is not mentioned. In such a situation, the oral tradition comes to the rescue of the student which is explained to him by his guru. For example, in Paramalaghumanjusha in the chapter Sphotavicarah the exposition begins with the question, 7 SerT: : i quif: paffa
. . fcrifqul carureza: 111 Here, it is to be noted that the poorvapaksha has been given without mentioning the source unlike in other places where it has been mentioned na dilchat:12. The first poorvapaksha is the opinion of the Mimansakas that has been quoted and refuted. This fact is handed down through oral tradition and is explained as such. This is only an example of how the written text in Sanskrit has to depend extensively on the oral tradition for a proper understanding of the former. Both, the oral and the written traditions are mutually complementary and enrich each other. In fact, the Indian system of knowledge management has regularly used both in order to develop a robust knowledge base. Vedic references to writing and the fact that the Vedas were immaculately preserved in the oral tradition is a strong pointer in this direction. A lot of Indian knowledge system has been preserved because of the existence of the oral tradition. Therefore, in order to resurrect the knowledge base both, written texts in the form of manuscripts and the oral tradition have to be used as complementary systems. The methodology for so doing needs further attention.
Historically, major manuscript repositories like that in Nalanda and Somnath, lost rich collections in their libraries when India was repeatedly invaded by marauding armed forces. It is said that the library at Nalanda kept burning for almost three months when it was set on fire. One can only try to imagine what must have been there once, in India, by way of written literature in all disciplines. This creates a strong sense of sadness at the irretrievable loss of a magnificent heritage.
Before India gained independence in 1947, princely states in the country contributed significantly in preserving this tangible heritage. They took