A Concise History of Classical Sanskrit Literature

SPECIFICATION: Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass By : Gaurinath Shastri Cover : Paperback Language : English Edition : 2015 Pages : 232 Weight : 222 Size : 7.00 X 5.50 Inch ISBN-10 : 812080175X ISBN-13 : 978-8120801752 DESCRIPTION: The history of Sanskrit literature is by itself a fascinating subject in which not only students of language but also the intelligentsia in general find an abiding interest. This prompted the author to undertake the first edition of the book under the title, An Introduction to Classical Sanskrit, in a short compass in 1943. It is indeed a matter of gratification that the edition was exhausted in a rather short time and there has been a persistent demand for a new edition of it. The present edition, however, is not just a reprint of the former; much new matter has been put into it and the whole book has been thoroughly revised and brought up-to-date. The scope of the book has also been suitably widened which will be evident from its rechristening A Concise History of Sanskrit Literature. Thus it will satisfy its users much more than its predecessor. The impetus to the writing of the present work came from the students days of the author at Presidency College, Calcutta. The paucity of suitable text-books on the subject intended for degree and post-graduate students of Indian universities and the difficulties which our students experience in tackling the subject was felt by author himself in college life. This book contains an elaborate account of all branches of Classical Sanskrit Literature on the basis of literary, epigraphical and numismatical sources. In 23 chapters, each chapter dealing with a particular topic arranged chronologically. Chapter I-V are on the Epics, Puranas, Tantras, Post-Epic and Inscriptional poetry. Chr. VI deals with Early Buddhist works in Sanskrit. Chrs. VII-XII are related to the Court Epics, Drama, Poetry, Historical Writings, Prose and Campu literature. Chrs. XIII-XXI are related to the Court Epics, Drama, Poetry, Historical Writings, Prose and Campu literature. Chrs. XIII-XXI discuss Grammar, Poetics, Dramaturgy, Metrics, Lexicography, Civil and Religious Laws, Politics, Erotics, Medicine, Astronomy, Mathematics and Astrology. Chrs. XXII-XXIII treat miscellaneous sciences as well as Hindu Philosophical thought.