A Journal of Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya

as some of the details are purely fictitious
in nature. For example, somewhere in the
book, it has been mentioned that Vyasji
handed over a pair of binoculars to Sanjay
in order to aid him to have a clear view
of the battle field so that he could narrate
it to Dhritrashtra. A reference from the
text was also given in order to prove
the authenticity of this imaginary allusion.
But no quotation from the text followed
it.
Giving quotations from the text Sapreji
refutes the false statement made by the
author, that Sanjay had used binoculars.He
goes on to question its truth. His critique
is exemplary.“Can the true India emerge
out of this false façade hidden as she is
under a veneer of glorification?” Such false
conjectures that India had been a pioneer
in every field be it in the field of education,
governance, mathematics, astrology,
geography, art, chemistry, and that she
was an epitome of perfection and hence
nothing more was left to be discovered
in the field of knowledge—is in total
opposition to historical facts. This
hyperbolic picturisation may suit the
imaginative genius of a poet, but not those
who believe in historical facts. The Realists
will never appreciate such
exaggeration.Commenting on it, Sapreji
says that such books are compiled in order
to eulogize our ancestors and induce us
to take pride in their versatility surrounding
them in a halo of greatness. Even in the
modern times we do come across writers
who are intent upon idolizing India, and
assigning her the place of Jagadguru “World
Teacher”. Giving a clarion call to other
aspiring critics, he says that such works
based on imaginary allusions need to be
severly criticized of which Sapreji is an
excellent example.
In December, 1902, Sapreji wrote a
detailed review on the eminent prose writer
and Acharya, Dandi. Besides examining
the different possible doctrines in vogue,
during Dandi’s time, he wrote a detailed
critique of “Dashkumar Charitra.” The latter
gives us an insight into Sapreji’s depth
of knowledge of Sanskrit. Poets like—Kalidas,
Bhavbhuti, Subandhu, Banbhatta. This was
the beginning of comparative study in
Literature. During the last few decades
a new trend seems to have emerged—
a quest for ‘Hindu India.’ As a concomitant
to that quest deep rooted Indian values
embedded in modern and classical Hindi
Literature are being explored. Some literary
critics in an attempt to pick out the Indian
element in novels are intent upon placing
“Dashkumar Charitra; Vasavdatta; and
Kadambari” in the category of novels.
Refuting this claim made by the critics
Sapreji goes on to prove the contrary.
He observes:-“The novel lacks a story,
the most essential element in a novel.
Neither has the poet tried to trace its
legendary origin, nor has he tried to
embellish his work according to the
demands of a particular school of thought.
Moreover, it does not reflect the
26 :: January-March 2012