Look Inside

Tales from the Kathasaritsagara

$21
FREE Delivery
Quantity
Delivery Usually ships in 3 days
Item Code: UBG530
Author: Namita Gokhale
Publisher: Puffin Books
Language: English
Edition: 2019
ISBN: 9780143445920
Pages: 281
Cover: PAPERBACK
Other Details 7.00 X 5.00 inch
Weight 180 gm
Fully insured
Fully insured
Shipped to 153 countries
Shipped to 153 countries
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
More than 1M+ customers worldwide
100% Made in India
100% Made in India
23 years in business
23 years in business
Book Description
About The Book
Do you know the story of Phalabhuti, who narrowly escaped a grisly fate? Or of the kind-hearted Jimutavahana, who was willing to give his life to save a snake from death? Or of young Shringabhuja, who married a rakshasa's daughter?

These are just some of the many tales that make up Somadeva's Kathasaritsagara, a classic work of Sanskrit literature that is full of memorable characters. Within the pages of this book, you will encounter demons and demigods, faithful guards and foolish villagers, golden swans, magic pots and even automatons made of wood! Adapted and wonderfully retold by Rohini Chowdhury, this is a timeless classic that will entertain and enchant readers everywhere.

Introduction
The marvellous tales of the Kathasaritsagara continue to fascinate readers across centuries and millennia. Rohini Chowdhury's vibrant English retelling brings this marvellous collection to life. The stories, which lead one into the other, are held together by multiple threads, as characters and situations are woven through different voices and raconteurs. Each chapter section in Somadeva's original text is called a 'taranga' or wave. The title is also sometimes translated as "The Ocean of the Streams of Story'. The idea of the fluidity of told tales, of stories within stories flowing one into the other, reflects the essential structure of the Kathasaritsagara.

The principal character whose exploits string the Kathasaritsagara together is the heroic prince, Naravahandatta, as he fulfils his prophesied destiny to become the emperor of all the vidyadharas. As he travels to distant lands and encounters various dangers and surprises, he is told several stories by other characters. Some of these are well-known ones that appear in other classical Indian texts, such as that of Vikramaditya (Trivikramasena in this text), the legendary emperor of ancient India and his trials with the vetala, the ghoul who asks him challenging questions about dharma, right judgement and the correct understanding of one's duties. Many others are short and anecdotal and tell of folk wisdom, folk tales, and amusing observations about foolish persons and their absurd actions, as well as accounts of clever and cunning merchants, Curiosity, breaking the rules, and adventurously going ahead and doing what they have been told and warned not to often seems to pay off for humans. I particularly warmed to the story about "The Mouse Merchant' and his remarkable entrepreneurial spirit in trading a dead mouse in a series of improbable exchanges until he determinedly became a rich and respected merchant.

We have to remember that the nature and purpose of stories is to share human experience, so we can learn from the follies and mistakes of others, as well as from their wisdom. The ancient stories of the Kathasaritsagara were literally a treasure of shared encounters and wanderings, of travels and imaginative retellings as the people of those long-ago days tried to expand their circle of knowledge beyond the borders and boundaries of their own lives. The essentials of human nature remain the same, across time and place, centuries and continents.

**Contents and Sample Pages**

















Frequently Asked Questions
  • Q. What locations do you deliver to ?
    A. Exotic India delivers orders to all countries having diplomatic relations with India.
  • Q. Do you offer free shipping ?
    A. Exotic India offers free shipping on all orders of value of $30 USD or more.
  • Q. Can I return the book?
    A. All returns must be postmarked within seven (7) days of the delivery date. All returned items must be in new and unused condition, with all original tags and labels attached. To know more please view our return policy
  • Q. Do you offer express shipping ?
    A. Yes, we do have a chargeable express shipping facility available. You can select express shipping while checking out on the website.
  • Q. I accidentally entered wrong delivery address, can I change the address ?
    A. Delivery addresses can only be changed only incase the order has not been shipped yet. Incase of an address change, you can reach us at help@exoticindia.com
  • Q. How do I track my order ?
    A. You can track your orders simply entering your order number through here or through your past orders if you are signed in on the website.
  • Q. How can I cancel an order ?
    A. An order can only be cancelled if it has not been shipped. To cancel an order, kindly reach out to us through help@exoticindia.com.
Add a review
Have A Question

For privacy concerns, please view our Privacy Policy

Book Categories