Bhatti’s Poem: The Death of Ravana

Oliver Fallon translator Bhatti Bhatti translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:New York University Press

Published:1st Apr '09

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

Bhatti’s Poem: The Death of Ravana cover

A poetic retelling of Rama's adventures, and a compendium of grammatical and rhetorical examples for students. Presenting a study aid to Panini's groundbreaking grammatical treatise, the "Eight Books", it gives examples disguised as the gripping, morally improving 'Ramayana' story.

To the dry bones of grammar Bhatti gave juicy flesh in his poem, telling the greatest Indian story in elegant Sanskrit. Composed in the fourth century CE, in South India, ”Bhatti’s Poem: The Death of Rávana” is both a poetic retelling of Rama’s adventures, and a compendium of grammatical and rhetorical examples for students. Bhatti’s study aid to Pánini’s groundbreaking grammatical treatise, the “Eight Books,” gives examples disguised as the gripping, morally improving “Ramáyana” story. In Bhatti’s own words: “This composition is a lamp to those whose eyes have language as their goal.” Tradition has it that an elephant ambled between Bhatti and his pupils, interrupting their outdoors grammar class. By Hindu law this intrusion canceled class for a year. Lest time be lost, Bhatti composed his poem to teach grammar without textbooks. Ever since, “The Death of Rávana” has been one of the most popular poems in Sanskrit literature.

ISBN: 9780814727782

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 386g

550 pages