Review: Varna‑ratnākara of Jyotirīśvara‑Kāviśekhara
Summary
This review presents Jyotirīśvara Kāviśekhara’s Varna‑ratnākara, edited with introductions and an index by Suniti Kumar Chatterji and Babu Misra. It begins by lamenting that Maithili, despite its rich literary heritage and great poet Vidyapati, is neglected in its homeland and that Hindustani is promoted as the vernacular. Thanks to the efforts of Sir Asutosh Mukerji, Maithili was included in Calcutta University’s syllabus, which eventually led to this edition of the Varna‑ratnākara. The unique manuscript of the work is housed in the Royal Asiatic Society; scholars searched unsuccessfully for another copy, so this edition is based on the sole manuscript. Jyotirīśvara Thakkura, a high official at the court of King Harisimhadeva in the early fourteenth century, also wrote Sanskrit works on erotics and dialogues. The Varna‑ratnākara appears to have been composed as a handbook for kathakas (public reciters) who embellished Puranic and epic stories with elaborate descriptions and similes. The text lists objects to be mentioned in descriptions—such as city bazaars, gates, temples and inhabitants—and provides appropriate metaphors to glorify them. It is divided into eight sections covering descriptions of cities, heroines, seasons and other topics. Because it catalogues aspects of court life, material culture and games, the work is invaluable for reconstructing medieval Indian society. The reviewer notes that although written a little over a century after the Turki conquest of northern India, the Varna‑ratnākara retains a purely Hindu atmosphere and provides longer lists of court officials than earlier copper‑plate grants. It even mentions a four‑handed dice‑chess game that has become obsolete. By comparing it to other encyclopaedic works such as the Maināsollīsa and the Ain‑i‑Akbarī, the reviewer underscores its importance as a compendium of cultural information.
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Conclusion
The reviewer concludes that the publication of the Varna‑ratnākara is a milestone for Maithili studies and for understanding medieval Indian culture. Its detailed catalogues and similes reveal the richness of court life, art and recreation in the fourteenth century. The reviewer commends the editors for making the unique manuscript available and hopes the work will stimulate further research into Maithili literature and cultural history.