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Bharata Sindhu Rashmi – Modern Epic In Kannada

Bharata Sindhu Rashmi, written by Vinayak Krishna Gokak (1909 – 92), is based on Vedic literature, and portrays the life and achievements of Vishwaratha from whom emerges the great sage Vishwamitra, the seer of the famous Gayatri Mantra.

Bharatha Sindhu Rashmi has 24,000 lines divided into twelve cantos in blank verse. A vivid description of more than two hundred characters, both local inhabitants and migrants, and a vast geographical area comprising most parts of ancient India, find a place in this work. The epic covers various aspects of life such as the cultural, historical, mythological, geographical, societal and economic. The character of Vishwaratha is used to convey the message of the epic.

Vishwamitra, the son of Gadhi, fought with Vasishta for the sake of Nandini, the divine cow, but in vain. He suffered humiliation at the ands of Vasishta. To achieve brahmabala (supreme power) he undertook severe penance. In an attempt to send Trishanku to heaven alive, he created his own heaven called Trishanku Svarga. He also tried to create another Indra with a separate universe. At last he was satisfied with the advice given by sage Vamana that whatever power his penance brought him had to be used for the larger interest of mankind with the ultimate aim of harmony in the universe. He realized that penance should never be in opposition to the divine will. Thus the story of Vishvamitra is told by the gifted poet. His vast learning and rich experience are clearly discernible.

In his English summary of the epic, the poet says that he had depicted the Rig Vedic vision of life with the intention of indicating its relevance to modern times.

He employs the concept of ‘voyage’ as an archetype. The epic starts with a search for something tangible and ends up with a search for the actual self of an individual. The emphasis is on universal brotherhood. The poet received the prestigious Jnanpith Awardh (1990) of India for this literary work.

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