Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/719

 Epic poems, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. But to compare these with the Iliad and the Oddessy would be to compare the Indus and the Ganges rising from the the loftiest range of mountains in the world, swollen with numerous tributaries, flowing through a country of luxuriant vegetation, with the streams of Attica or the mountain-torrents of Thessaly"

Another point on which we congratulate the Karyalya is its determination to give "as literal a rendering as possible of the great work of Vyasa." The translator justifies this practice by the high authorities of Mr. Pickford and Mr. C. H. Tawney. In his preface to his translation of Bhartrihari's Niti Satakam and Vairagya Satakam, the last mentioned gentleman says, "I am sensible that in the present attempt, I have retained much local colouring. For instance, the idea of worshipping the feet of a god or great man, though it frequently appears in Indian literature, will undoubtedly move the laughter of Englishmen unacquainted with Sanscrit, especially if they belong to that class of readers who rivet their attention on the accidental and remain blind to the essential. But a certain measure of fidelity to the original, even at the risk of making oneself ridiculous is better than the studied dishonesty which characterises so many translations of oriental poets." As far as we remember, Mr. Tawney has adhered to the same practices in his translation of the Uttara-Charitta. We for one like to have the productions of the master minds of the world as nearly as possible in the form in which they appeared. We cannot bring ourselves to have a liking for Shakespeare in Cibber's coat. Apart from all other considerations, their attempts to adhere as closely as possible to the original have a historical value in them which cannot be expected in a free translation. In this connection we would suggest to the enterprising Secretary of the Datavya Karyalaya however the desirability of publishing the original text along with the English translation. If it is already too late now to have the text and the translation in the same parts, they may be issued in separate but companion volumes to enable the public to judge of the fidelity of the translation as also to encourage in them a study of the great epic in the original with the help of the English translation. The University has been familiarising the rising generations of the country with the classical language of India and the Mahabharat is written in such easy Sanscrit that it is not too much to hope for such a result if our suggestion be listened to.

As the Datavya Karyalaya has already issued two editions of the Mahabharat in Bengali and the third is in course of publication, the present one is, as the publisher tells us, especially intended for rest of India outside Bengal. The task he has undertaken is a stupendous one and funds to the extent of a lac of Rupees is necessary for its completion. We trust our countrymen and especially the wealthier portion of the Behar and the other presidencies and provinces of India will come forward to support the undertaking. We already find the name of the Maharaja of Durbhunga