Comments on: 25.) Against the Critical Edition of the Mahābhārata http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/ Dr. Arvind Sharma Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:10:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: sirensongs http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-231 sirensongs Fri, 16 May 2008 06:22:47 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-231 There seems to be quite a bit of competition for the title of "the fifth Veda" (Natya Shastra, Vaastu shastra, Mahabharata etc). ;-) There seems to be quite a bit of competition for the title of “the fifth Veda” (Natya Shastra, Vaastu shastra, Mahabharata etc). ;-)

]]> By: sirensongs http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-230 sirensongs Fri, 16 May 2008 06:19:14 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-230 ---then does not the critical text end up in creating a text which did not exist in the first place? Western writings on Hindu themes often carry allegations of fabrication. Has the cycle turned full circle and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology have culminated in the recreation of what never existed?---- Probably so...such texts may be more useful for what they reveal about the western and west-influenced scholars themselves than anything else. —then does not the critical text end up in creating a text which did not exist in the first place? Western writings on Hindu themes often carry allegations of fabrication. Has the cycle turned full circle and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology have culminated in the recreation of what never existed?—-
Probably so…such texts may be more useful for what they reveal about the western and west-influenced scholars themselves than anything else.

]]> By: Indian History Carnival - 5 | DesiPundit http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-229 Indian History Carnival - 5 | DesiPundit Thu, 15 May 2008 16:04:51 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-229 [...] On seeing a critical edition of Mahābhārata, Dr. Arvind Sharma notes that this Western trend is an artificial concept in the Hindu context and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology has created something which never existed. [...] [...] On seeing a critical edition of Mahābhārata, Dr. Arvind Sharma notes that this Western trend is an artificial concept in the Hindu context and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology has created something which never existed. [...]

]]> By: Ashwani Peetush http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-212 Ashwani Peetush Mon, 05 May 2008 17:53:22 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-212 One of the key elements in an oral tradition such as this is that it is open-ended in the sense that it allows adherents to negotiate and critically engage with issues that confront them on the basis of a horizon or background of meaning and significance that is fluid enough to structure such negotiation and engagement. While the written text is somewhat more fixed, the oral “text” allows adherents to read tradition in its best possible light; of course, none of this excludes arguments and debate about consistency and coherence. I think Sharma is right here that the idea of a critical edition limits the axio-neotic dialogical telos that has allowed Indian thought to cope with both external and internal diversity in this context. In the dim light of a setting sun, I think that the critical edition will be seen by some to be the only text worth considering. One of the key elements in an oral tradition such as this is that it is open-ended in the sense that it allows adherents to negotiate and critically engage with issues that confront them on the basis of a horizon or background of meaning and significance that is fluid enough to structure such negotiation and engagement. While the written text is somewhat more fixed, the oral “text” allows adherents to read tradition in its best possible light; of course, none of this excludes arguments and debate about consistency and coherence. I think Sharma is right here that the idea of a critical edition limits the axio-neotic dialogical telos that has allowed Indian thought to cope with both external and internal diversity in this context. In the dim light of a setting sun, I think that the critical edition will be seen by some to be the only text worth considering.

]]> By: The Critical Edition of Mahābhārata | DesiPundit http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-190 The Critical Edition of Mahābhārata | DesiPundit Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:00:50 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-190 [...] is an artificial concept in the Hindu context and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology has created something which never existed. To begin with then, the Mahābhārata is plural document available in at least five recensions [...] [...] is an artificial concept in the Hindu context and the misguided pursuit of Western methodology has created something which never existed. To begin with then, the Mahābhārata is plural document available in at least five recensions [...]

]]> By: N.S. Rajaram http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-189 N.S. Rajaram Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:58:46 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-189 Professor sharma has made a very good point. What is 'the' Mahabharata? The original composition by Vyasa (Jaya)? The one recited by Vaishampayana (Bharata)? Or the omnivorous text that we call the Mahabharata? We must define the target in question before embarking on a critical edition. Kehavaram Shastree Bambhania has at least stated his goas as recovering the Jaya Samhita and the Bharata Samhita even though one may not agree with his final product. N.S. Rajaram Professor sharma has made a very good point. What is ‘the’ Mahabharata? The original composition by Vyasa (Jaya)? The one recited by Vaishampayana (Bharata)? Or the omnivorous text that we call the Mahabharata?

We must define the target in question before embarking on a critical edition. Kehavaram Shastree Bambhania has at least stated his goas as recovering the Jaya Samhita and the Bharata Samhita even though one may not agree with his final product.

N.S. Rajaram

]]> By: pandita indrani http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/2008/04/21/25-against-the-critical-edition-of-the-mahabharata/#comment-188 pandita indrani Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:41:13 +0000 http://arvindsharma.wordpress.com/?p=58#comment-188 Prof Sharma makes a very important point about Hindu scholarship trying to fit itself in a western mould. It is critical that academics begin to appreciate the Hindu point of view and that more people start researching from this perspective instead of trying to square pegs in round holes. I applaud the professor for raising consciousness on these kinds of issues. Prof Sharma makes a very important point about Hindu scholarship trying to fit itself in a western mould.

It is critical that academics begin to appreciate the Hindu point of view and that more people start researching from this perspective instead of trying to square pegs in round holes.

I applaud the professor for raising consciousness on these kinds of issues.

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