Gahasattasai
Summary
The article "Gahasattasai" by B. K. Khadabadi discusses the ancient Indian anthology titled the Gahasattasat (also referred to as Gathasaptasati or Sattasai). The author argues that this work is one of the most valuable pieces of ancient Indian literature and the first to represent ancient Indian folk-poetry. The anthology was compiled by King Hala (also called Sataavahana), the 17th king of the Andhrabhrtyas, who ruled in the Dakshinapatha (Southern India) during the 1st century A.D. Hala was a patron of literature who selected seven hundred verses composed in the Prakrit language and the gaha (arya) metre from a large number of verses by numerous poets, some of which bore his own name. Initially, the anthology was called Gathamkoso (Gatha-kota) and contained about 400 verses. By the 10th-12th centuries A.D., the number of verses increased to 700, leading to the name change to Sattasai or Gahasattasai. The main argument of the article is that the Gahasattasai holds unique literary and cultural value. Each verse, or muktaka, is an independent lyrical verse complete in itself, composed by folk-poets or modeled after folk-songs. These verses exhibit a simple, natural style and depict the joys and sorrows of the love-life of village people. The main sentiment is love, which gives the anthology a lively vein of lyricism and charm. Over time, the verses gained the status of aphorisms (subhashitas), and more than 18 commentaries have been written on the anthology. Rhetoricians used it to illustrate rasas and alankaras, and it was imitated in Sanskrit, Hindi, and Gujarati. The article discusses several sources, including translations and editions. The anthology first appeared in print in India in 1911. A. Weber edited and presented a complete German edition in 1881. M. Winternitz translated some verses into German in his History of Indian Literature, Volume II, Fasciculus I, and Miss H. Kohn presented an English translation in the Calcutta Edition. Prof. Radhagovind Bhasak presented the first complete English prose translation in 1971. The author also mentions his own translation of the first two centuries of verses into English prose for Karnatak University in 1961-62 and 1962-63, and his subsequent experiments with free verse translations to balance fidelity and creativity. The article includes several examples of the original Prakrit verses and their English translations to illustrate the style and content of the anthology.
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Conclusion
The Gahasattasai, compiled by King Hala of the Andhrabhrtyas, stands as a seminal anthology of ancient Indian folk-poetry, preserving the lyrical and natural expressions of village life. Its literary and cultural value is unique, characterized by independent verses that capture the universal sentiments of love with charm and precision. The anthology’s immense popularity is evidenced by its extensive commentaries and its significant influence on later Sanskrit, Hindi, and Gujarati literature, as well as translations into numerous Western languages. Its enduring legacy lies in its ability to immortalize the joys and sorrows of everyday existence, making it a vital bridge between folk traditions and classical literary aesthetics. The work's continued scholarly and popular appeal underscores its foundational role in understanding the evolution of Prakrit poetry and the broader cultural heritage of ancient India.