Subhashita Samputa-(A Treasury of Ancient Indian Wisdom)- An Old and Rare Book

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I am glad that the Gandhi Centre of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan is bringing out this collection of capsules of Ancient Indian culture and wisdom. The title of this little volume is meaningful for, it is a treasury of ancient sayings which have contemporary relevance, leading to improved moral and cultural living. Culled out from ancient Indian scriptures and also from utterances of sages, seers and savants, the collection is designed to be a companion pocket book of all, particularly of the student. I feel confident that the publication of this collection of sayings of eternal values would be welcome, and read and practiced.

The word "SUBHĀȘITA' literally means ""Well said." Subhāşitas are the capsules of classical wisdom buttressed in powerful yet poetic idiom, unique to Sanskrit. Life-enriching content of lasting value in an equally attractive form is the marvel of subhāşita.

Mere moral is dull and didactic, while isolated beauty in imagery is only sensuality. However, it is in the Subhāşitas that we have a beautiful blend of the two, resulting in a striking creation of catholic solidarity coupled with telling illustration culminating in harmony and integrity.

Sanskrit has a perennial source of Subhāşitas. The Vedas, Upanisats, Smrtis, the Ramayana, the Mahābhārata, Purānas, Agamas, Darsanas, Epics, Lyrics, Dramas, Sastric texts and many more are primary sources of unforgettable words of wisdom. Added to these, there are numerous independent compendiums, penned by visionary poets like Bhartruhari, Bhallața, Vishnu Sarmā, Sundarapāndya, Nārāyaņa, Ksēmēndra and Nilakanta Dixita. These apart, many anthologies are available, which contain many a charming subhāşitas, culled out from the vast and varied literatures in Sanskrit. Subhāşita Ratna Kōśa, Subhāşitāvalī, Sukti muktavali, Subhāşita Sudhānidhi, Sarngadharapaddhati, Saduktikarņāmrta, Narābharaņa, Kavitāmrtakupa. Samayōchita Padyamālikā, Subhāşita Ratnabhāndagāra are but a few significant collections among them. This process of preparing the anthologies of choice subhāşitas is still relevant and a few good collections like Subhāşita Manjari, गुडले Suktimālā, Nityanīti, Subhasita Sangraha, Nitisāra etc., are available in Kannada translations.