Vasant Vijay (The Triumph of the Spring) is a narrative poem that was written by Indian poet Manishankar Ratnji Bhatt 'Kant' (1867–1923), who was popularly known as Kavi Kant.
| Vasant Vijay | |
|---|---|
| by Manishankar Ratnji Bhatt 'Kant' | |
| Original title | વસંતવિજય |
| First published in | Purvalap (1923) |
| Country | British India |
| Language | Gujarati |
| Form | Khandakavya |
| Meter | various Sanskrit meters |
Summary edit
Vasant Vijay includes a reference to Pandu, the mythical father of the five Pandavas in the Indian epic poem Mahabharata.[1] Vasant Vijay narrates an episode from the Adi Parva (The Book of the Beginning) of Mahabharata.[2]
Pandu kills a mating deer, for which he is cursed to undergo a similar death. Pandu tries to get rid of the curse by observing celibacy but under the profound influence of spring, he loses his self-control and has sex with his wife Madri, who is hesitant, knowing its fatal consequence.[1]
In Vasant Vijay, Kant narrates the episode in a dramatic manner in a classical, metrical style. The triumph of spring symbolises the triumph of lust and the destiny of the human predicament.[1]
Reception edit
According to Mansukhlal Jhaveri, Vasant Vijay, along with Kant's other poemsChakravak Mithuna and Devayani, is a remarkable example of the arts of Khandakavya that set up a standard of high poetical excellence in Gujarati.[3][4] The poem is noted for its metrical pattern and the resulting sound effect, and for its emotional depth.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c George, K. M., ed. (1997). Masterpieces of Indian Literature. Vol. 3. New Delhi: National Book Trust. p. 1694. ISBN 978-81-237-1978-8.
- ^ a b Shukla, Jaydev (1986). Khaṇḍakāvya ખંડકાવ્ય. Sahitya Swarup Paricaya Shrenni – 7 (in Gujarati). Ahmedabd: Chandramauli Prakashan. pp. 46–52. OCLC 15657273.
- ^ Jhaveri, Mansukhlal Maganlal (1978). History of Gujarati Literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 112. OCLC 639128528.
- ^ Das, Sisir Kumar (2005). History of Indian Literature: 1800–1920, Western Impact: Indian Response. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. p. 316. ISBN 978-81-7201-006-5.
External links edit
- Vasant Vijay at GujLit
- English translation by Varsha Das