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Book review
The Kathasaritasagara, which literally means the ‘Ocean of the Sea of Story’, is often described as the motherlode of the world’s stories.
Although its dates have not been conclusively established, the Kathasaritasagara is said to have been compiled by a Kashmiri Saivite Brahmin called Somadeva in AD 1070. Legend has it that Somadeva composed the Kathasaritasagara for queen Suryavati, wife of King Anantadeva who ruled Kashmir in the eleventh century. The stories in this book are retold from ten of the eighteen books of the original Kathasaritasagara. The main narrative, or frame story, deals with the adventures of Naravahanadatta and culminates in his eventual coronation as the king of the sky-dwellers with magical powers (vidyadharas). The numerous tales and stories in the book are told by various ministers of Naravahanadatta. The most remarkable feature of the Kathasaritasagara is that unlike other classics of the time, it offers no moral conclusions, no principles to live by and is throughout a celebration of earthly life… It is also an exhilarating anthology of stories. Thus we have promiscuous married women and clever courtesans; imbecile Brahmins and incompetent kings; and men and women who are cursed and granted boons and experience exciting adventures.
Paperback | 264 pages |
The Kathasaritasagara, which literally means the ‘Ocean of the Sea of Story’, is often described as the motherlode of the world’s stories.
Although its dates have not been conclusively established, the Kathasaritasagara is said to have been compiled by a Kashmiri Saivite Brahmin called Somadeva in AD 1070. Legend has it that Somadeva composed the Kathasaritasagara for queen Suryavati, wife of King Anantadeva who ruled Kashmir in the eleventh century. The stories in this book are retold from ten of the eighteen books of the original Kathasaritasagara. The main narrative, or frame story, deals with the adventures of Naravahanadatta and culminates in his eventual coronation as the king of the sky-dwellers with magical powers (vidyadharas). The numerous tales and stories in the book are told by various ministers of Naravahanadatta. The most remarkable feature of the Kathasaritasagara is that unlike other classics of the time, it offers no moral conclusions, no principles to live by and is throughout a celebration of earthly life… It is also an exhilarating anthology of stories. Thus we have promiscuous married women and clever courtesans; imbecile Brahmins and incompetent kings; and men and women who are cursed and granted boons and experience exciting adventures.
Paperback | 264 pages |
Children
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