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“The Ocean of the Rivers of Story” by Somadeva (Volume 2)

Exploring the enchanting world of love and sorcery

James Mallinson translator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:New York University Press

Published:1st Mar '09

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

“The Ocean of the Rivers of Story” by Somadeva (Volume 2) cover

This volume of The Ocean of the Rivers of Story delves into the enchanting adventures of sorcerers and lovers, rich with romance and magic.

In The Ocean of the Rivers of Story, the narrative unfolds in a mesmerizing tapestry of tales that blend the mystical with the romantic. The story begins with the protagonist, Nara·váhana·datta, whose birth is foretold by Shiva, marking him as a partial incarnation of the god of love. As the narrative progresses, readers are introduced to a multitude of enchanting characters and their adventures, exploring themes of love, magic, and the intricate dance of fate. This volume intricately weaves the exploits of sorcerers and lovers, creating a rich landscape of storytelling that captivates the imagination.

The structure of The Ocean of the Rivers of Story is notable for its frame narrative style, which allows for a multitude of stories to emerge within the main tale. As Nara·váhana·datta's journey unfolds, the reader encounters a variety of enchanting subplots, each adding depth and flavor to the overarching narrative. This volume culminates in the events leading to the birth of Mádana·máñchuka, Nara·váhana·datta’s first and greatest love, setting the stage for further exploration of love's complexities and the power of sorcery.

This ambitious work is a celebration of classical Sanskrit literature, showcasing the beauty of the language while making it accessible to modern readers. The dual-language format enhances the experience, allowing readers to appreciate the original text alongside its English translation. Ultimately, The Ocean of the Rivers of Story invites readers into a world where the boundaries of reality blur, and the wonders of love and magic intertwine.

"No effort has been spared to make these little volumes as attractive as possible to readers: the paper is of high quality, the typesetting immaculate. The founders of the series are John and Jennifer Clay, and Sanskritists can only thank them for an initiative intended to make the classics of an ancient Indian language accessible to a modern international audience." The Times Higher Education Supplement "The books line up on my shelf like bright Bodhisattvas ready to take tough questions or keep quiet company. They stake out a vast territory, with works from two millennia in multiple genres: aphorism, lyric, epic, theater, and romance." Willis G. Regier, The Chronicle Review "The Clay Sanskrit Library represents one of the most admirable publishing projects now afoot... Anyone who loves the look and feel and heft of books will delight in these elegant little volumes." New Criterion "Published in the geek-chic format." BookForum "Very few collections of Sanskrit deep enough for research are housed anywhere in North America. Now, twenty-five hundred years after the death of Shakyamuni Buddha, the ambitious Clay Sanskrit Library may remedy this state of affairs." Tricycle "Now an ambitious new publishing project, the Clay Sanskrit Library brings together leading Sanskrit translators and scholars of Indology from around the world to celebrate in translating the beauty and range of classical Sanskrit literature... Published as smart green hardbacks that are small enough to fit into a jeans pocket, the volumes are meant to satisfy both the scholar and the lay reader. Each volume has a transliteration of the original Sanskrit text on the left-hand page and an English translation on the right, as also a helpful introduction and notes. Alongside definitive translations of the great Indian epics o 30 or so volumes will be devoted to the Maha*bharat itself o Clay Sanskrit Library makes available to the English-speaking reader many other delights: The earthy verse of Bhartri*hari, the pungent satire of Jayanta Bhatta and the roving narratives of Dandin, among others. All these writers belong properly not just to Indian literature, but to world literature." LiveMint "The Clay Sanskrit Library has recently set out to change the scene by making available well-translated dual-language (English and Sanskrit) editions of popular Sanskritic texts for the public." Namarupa

ISBN: 9780814795583

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 408g

610 pages