KASHMIRA STABAKAM – A bunch of works on Kashmir History, Culture & Heritage compiled by P.R. Kannan, published by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, Kancheepuram, 2023. Pages 384, Price Rs. 900.
This handy book with a nice get up is a compilation of three prominent works that throw more light on the history, culture and heritage of Kashmir.
Kashyapakṣhetra – the ancient name of Kashmir, is a beautiful land with many holy places and rivers, and ruled by many kings. Rājataraṅgiṇi – a historical chronicle authored by poet Kalhaṇa of 12th century C.E. describes the succession of kings from Mahābhārata period upto 12th century C.E. In eight Taraṅgas (sections) with more than 7800 verses, Rājataraṅgiṇi describes the social, cultural and spiritual conditions of Kashmir under different kings in succession, the influence of Buddhism, invasions of Greeks and Muslims, besides the exclusive beauty of nature.
Bhṛṅgīśa Samhitā, a puranic text describing the holy places, rivers etc. in Kashmir is the second work used in this compilation. The New Catalogus Catalogorum (Vol. XVII, p. 226a) marks this text as Tantra and enumerates glory of various sacred places and rivers in Kashmir.
Nīlamatapurāṇa is the third text in this compilation for its contents centering on Kashmir. This Purāṇa deals with the origin of Kashmir, festivals of Kashmir, besides the description of its sacred rivers and lakes.
In addition to these three primary texts Sri P.R. Kannan – an ardent devotee of Kanchi Math who has been blessed with the titles like “Jagadguru Seva Ratnam” and “Upanyāsa Tilakam” – has added three valuable articles establishing the bond between Kashmir and Kanchi, through the Vijaya Yātrā of the Ācāryās of Kanchi Kamakoti Pitham during 1997 and the celebration of Śrī Śaṅkara Jayanti in Kashmir from 2011-2023. While the article on Vijaya Yātrā is by Brigadier Vijay Narain Money, the article on Śaṅkara Jayanti in Kashmir is by S.A. Balasubramanyan. Another interesting and important note appended here is the mention of the “Kashmir Awareness Saturday Lecture Series” which was inaugurated on 15th of August in the year 2021 and continued with eminent scholars specialized in the studies pertaining to the history and other aspects of Kashmir.
The concluding section of the book contains beautiful pictures of the temples of Jammu and Kashmir.
In fine, this book by Sri. P.R. Kannan is a real treasure with details of the rich cultural heritage of Kashmir under different kings as gleamed from the three major works in Sanskrit literature – namely Rājataraṅgiṇi, Bhṛṅgīśa Samhitā and Nīlamata purāṇa. Sri P.R. Kannan has also mentioned three other chronicles by Jonarāja, Śrīvara, Prājya Bhaṭṭa and Śuka that followed Rājataraṅgiṇi.
With the English transliteration and translation of selected verses, the tabular contents and illustrations with beautiful pictures of sculptures etc., this book should certainly find a place in all libraries and in the personal collection of those who are interested in Indian history, especially Kashmir.
ŚRĪMAD DEVĪ BHĀGAVATAM
Summary with selected shlokas (Tamil) by Jagadguru Sevaratnam P.R. Kannan, Published by Giri Trading Agency, Private Limited, Chennai. 2023. Pages 184, price Rs. 180/-
Puranas are the written records that throw light on creation of the Universe (in all its aspects – sarga and pratisarga), lineage of kings, cycle of yugas etc. There are 18 major Purāṇas and some minor Purāṇas which include Sthalapurāṇas.
Among them Devībhāgavata is one which has 12 skandhas (sections) like Srimad Bhagavata and has 18000 verses. The glory of this text Devibhāgavata is described in the five chapters of Manasa khaṇda section of Śrī Skandapurāṇa. Besides the popular saptasati portion describing the slaying of the demons– Madhu Kaiṭabha, Mahiṣāsura and Śumbha – Niśumbha, this text Devibhāgavata dwells at length on the story of Goddess, her līlās, mantras, stotras etc. The description of the various forms of Goddess, Devīgītā, the significance of Gāyatrī etc. are also noteworthy.
Sri P.R. Kannan, blessed to the title “Jagadguru Sevaratnam” by the Ācāryas of Kāñcī has beautifully summarised the text in lucid Tamil highlighting the original Sanskrit verses at respective contexts. With the selection of verses from all the twelve skandhas, Sri P.R. Kannan has translated and explained the verses in Tamil.
With a handy getup and neat printing, the book should find a place in all the libraries and houses of all the Āstikas.
Dr. T. V. Vasudeva
Dy. Director, The Kuppuswamy Sastri Research Institute, Chennai
