Shodasi : Secrets of the Ramayana
English , Hindi and Telugu Original
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Poet : Seshendra Sharma
http://seshendrasharma.weebly.com
Seshendra Sharma's Books
SHODASI : SECRETS OF THE RAMAYANA :Seshendra Sharma
षोडशी : रामायण के रहस्य : शेषेन्द्र शर्मा
షోడశి రామాయణ రహస్యములు : శేషేంద శర్మ
ENGLISH HINDI AND TELUGU ORIGINAL
AUTHOR : SESHENDRA SHARMA
Seshendra : Visionary Poet of the Millennium
http://seshendrasharma.weebly.com
Books :
https://kinige.com/author/Gunturu+Seshendra+Sharma
Contact : Saatyaki S/o Seshendra Sharma
saatyaki@gmail.com , +91 9441070985 , 7702964402
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Valmiki , The Sage of 5th century B.C wrote The Ramayana not to narrate the story of Rama in an absorbing style. Though the epic poem presents Rama’s Journey of life in enchanting poetry , the story and the enchanting poetry are sugar coating or honey to the organic medicine called Kundalini Yoga. Maharshi Valmiki wrote the Ramayana to spread / propagate Kundalini Yoga among the masses. Thus the soul of The Ramayana is Kundalini Yoga / Sri Vidya. Valmiki embedded Kundalini Yoga in the Chapter titled “ Sundara Kanda” . And in Sundara Kanda , he inserted “ Trijata Swapna “ , dream sequence of a demon and in it embedded the Gayathri Mantra. The concepts of Vishnu and Avatar (reincarnation) were nonexistent during the Ramayana Period.
Seshendra Sharma , Scholar - Poet in his Magnum Opus of Research “ Shodasi : Secrets of The Ramayana “ reveals these secrets lying hidden for thousands of years .
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How old is Valmiki Ramayana? One Calculation says 8 lacks 70 thousand Years. Going by the Christian calendar dating to approximately the 5th to 4th century BC. According to Indian classification of time Ramayana belongs to the Treta Yuga and today we are in the Kali Yuga. All these millions of years the human civilisation the world over, recognised it as the first poetry and in this part of the world i.e. the Indian Subcontinent the central character of the epic is present as an idol of worship in thousands of temples and in every household of believers.
But here is a research work which says Ramayana is merely poetry to the naked eye whereas it is an ensemble of invisible secrets which have been lying unnoticed all these ages.
What could have been the Valmiki Maharshi’s vision which made him chisel an epic poem which is pregnant with startling secrets?
Shodasi : Secrets of the Ramayana , a Magnum Opus comprising both revelations and research findings written in Telugu 47 Years ago is translated into English by Dr. G.S.Murthy , a 86 year old physicist (Retrd) from BARC. Dr. Murthy observes about Shodasi that “the approach adopted by Seshendra Sharma is unprecedented. .. His conclusion that Ramayana is closer to Sruthi than any other scripture is very significant and is based on the intrinsic evidence in the Ramayana itself.... it is a revolt against the customary methods followed to understand the status of Ramayana in the Sanskrit Literature.”
The fulcrum of Shodasi is that poetry in Ramayana is a supplement to the bitter medicine called “Kundalini Yoga” and Ramayana is divine Ambrosia for all mundane afflictions and problems that beset the human kind.
Seshendra reveals that Sundara Kanda is the heart of Ramayana and it is nothing but Kundalini Yoga . And the heart of Sundara Kanda is Trijata ‘s Dream , which is nothing but Gayatri Mantra.
Kundalini Yoga which is also known as Sri Vidya is awakening of inner powers dormant in humans through meditation. The very 1st Shloka of Sundara Kanda is analysed and explained exhaustively by the author from several angles. “Chaarana Charithe pathi..(Sky-Path) “is , according to the author the Sushumna in Humans. Lanka Dahana ( Reducing Ravana’s Empire Lanka to ashes ) is the climax of the Kundalini Yoga which is Sahasrara Bhedana. The author analyses citing evidence from the Ramayana original text , that both Paths of Kundalini Yoga , Samaya and Kaula ways are shown in the epic.
What is of paramount importance in this work is that each exposition refers to a cluster of references germane to the main discussion. Hence it is obvious that this work is a scholastic paradise to people who are conversant with Sanskrit literature and other ancient scriptures. A pedestrian reader cannot even peep into Shodasi . Seshendra’s introduction “One word to begin with “sets the tone and tenor of the work. He dilates at length how Sanskrit language is moulded by Valmiki on the lines of Sruthi and Veda to envelop his central theme in suggestive and oblique style.
It is said Valmiki wrote Ramayana in 24 thousand Shlokas taking each syllable of Gayatri Mantra, which has 24 syllables. Seshendra Shows convincingly, where the Gayathri Mantra itself is located in Ramayana. He says “ Sundara Kanda “ is the heart of Ramayana and Trijata ‘s Dream is Sundara Kanda’s heart. “ Maharshi created an apparent episode of “Trijata Swapna “ and through this he embedded Gayathri Mantra in it. “
This book is replete with several such revelations and unnerving observations. The chapters on “ Relationship between Ramayanayana and Megha Sangesham “ “Indra supreme deity “ compel the reader to stop and think at the turn of every observation. This reviewer does not like to “spill all the beans “.
Dr. Murthy, the translator, aptly observes “ It needs a very attentive mind and adequate patience to follow author’s arguments “. Seshendra Sharma( http://seshendrasharma.weebly.com ) , winner of Sahitya Akademi Award for his “Kaala Rekha “( Arc of Blood ) a collection of essays in comparative literature , a fellow of the Akademi During his life time whose Long Poem “ My Country – My People – Modern Indian Epic “was nominated for Nobel in 2004 is scholar –poet of our times . His Kavisena Manifesto (Modern Indian Poetics), Kaala Rekha( Essays in Comparative Literature)are monuments of contemporary Indian Literature , unsurpassed to this day. His prose works prove that he is Albert Einstein of Indian Literature.
After completing the first round of reading the reader would certainly agree with Vishwanatha Satyanarayana ,Telugu poet of romantic era , recipient of Gyanpith Award for his “Ramayan Kalp Vriksh” who wrote preface to this book “ Every one , not only the telugu – speaking people all Indians must be grateful to him for writing this book”.
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Ramayana, a replica of Vedas
- VARADARAJAN
There are several versions of the Sri Ramayana, one of the two greatest epics. Following Sri Valmiki Ramayana several editions have been published in various languages, besides scores of commentaries written across centuries. Late. Gunturu Seshendra Sharma, scholar poet of 20th Century unearthed secrets of the Ramayana through his popular Telugu book “Shodasi”.
The novelty of nomenclature Shodasi , called Sri Vidya is reflected , in the 16th Chapter . Sharma’s intellectual depth comes forth in analyzing Sundara Kanda specially through Kundalini Yoga . The author highlights hidden truth in Valmiki’s thought that is similar to Vedas and says that Trijata’s dream in Sundara Kanda reflects Gayatri Mantra of 32 Syllabi in 4 lines. Sharma pays rich encomiums in the description of Lanka surrounded by three impregnable borders. He compares these three borders with Trikuta viz... Shakti , Kaamaraaja , Vagbhava Kutas with those of Sri Vidya in Kundalini . A staunch believer of Vedas, the author feels that Ramayana is a replica of Vedas and oriented towards the character of Indra . He concludes that in Ramayana the mentioning of the supreme God is Indra and not Vishnu, as the presiding deity of valour in Vedas. Utterances of the word Vishnu were considered to be imaginary overstatements in the author’s view.
This book lends a new perspective to the Ramayana by adding the dimension of Kundalini Yoga .
The foreword by Vishwanatha Satyanarayana adds credibility to the book. The current work is an English translation of the original by Gurujada Suryanarayana Murthy , a scientist by profession . His proficiency in the subject is evident in the translation throughout that doesn’t swerve from the original’s purport.
The Hindu
(Friday Review: 2nd October 2015)
A Resplendent Icon of all Arts
This is an exemplary book which elevated the status of Indian Literary Criticism to the peaks of the world literature. Shodasi is a name associated with a great hymn. The title suggests that it’s a book on spiritual discourse. A reading of this book suggests that the spirit of scientific temper is critical to comprehend Valmiki’s Srimad Ramayana. Besides this, command on Vedic or Scriptural knowledge is essential. What does a layman has to say when a towering personality like Viswanatha Satyanarayana himself extolled the critical acumen and serious scholarship of Seshendra Sharma.
Sharma has made it crystal clear that unless one has an apparent understanding of the plot’s context, psyche of the characters, and the milieu of the bygone days supplemented by extraordinary scholarship, sound knowledge of phonetics and awareness on contemporary issues; one cannot easily comprehend the poetic diction of Valmiki. The debate on the phrase “Netraturaha” is a fitting example. The uniqueness of the title, Sundara kanda, Kundalini Yoga, Gayatri Mantra secretly hidden in Trijata’s dream sequence, considering The Bharatha as an image of The Ramayana.... this book is a repository of many such critical discourses. It is replete with inconceivable and unfathomable issues. This magnum opus is an invaluable gift to the Telugu literature.
- VIPULA, Viswa Katha Vedika: May 2014
(An exclusive Telugu Monthly Magazine for stories)
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Valmiki Ramayana – Greatest Medicine for Mankind
The story of Ramayana is prescribed as textbook for students. Sita and Rama are worshiped as prime couple. No need to mention about reciting it. Whether Valmiki was satisfied with simple narration of the story? Seshendra Sharma denies it.
He analyzed it mentioning that to understand the inner meanings of Valmiki Ramayana, the scientific knowledge is essential.
The underlying secret of the sage’s mind will be known through the knowledge of science.
It is the firm opinion of Seshendra that the argument that “the sciences are for scholars only” is a conspiracy hatched by Selfish scholars and lazy uneducated persons.
Seshendra who has democratic ideology and conviction on science and literature informs the public about the secrets of Ramayana expounded by Valmiki. He explains that Valmiki dedicated ambrosia (The Greatest Medicine) named “Kundalini Yoga” to the mankind. The poetry in the metre of Anushtup Sloka is the honey coating to the medicine. It was explained with great introspection and exemplary scholarship. He concludes that the Ramayana is older than the Maha Bharatha and it is another form of Veda. Valmiki introduced the system of meditation in Ramayana. The Introspection and research bent of mind of Seshendra are spread over in the book in two streams. The exuberant fragrance of scholarship is experienced throughout the book.
The present generation can understand the scholarship of Seshendra in Vedas and Mantra Sastra. Seshendra is a poet who has composed unique Ruthu Ghosha (Cry of the Seasons: Metrical Poetry) and revolutionary free verse –Mande Suryudu (The Burning Sun).
- Andhra Prabha (Telugu Daily), 24th August 2014.
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Two Great Peaks in the world literary criticism and research
Shodasi: Secrets of The Ramayana and Swarnahamsa Harshanaishada from the mighty pen of the great Telugu poet, Gunturu Seshendra Sharma are considered to be the two great peaks in the world literary criticism and research. This is a truth most contemporary Telugu writers and readers aren’t aware of. The way Seshendra could discover Kundalini Yoga, Gayathri Mantra in Shodasi, he could discern the treasure trove of mantra yoga, Sri Mahatripurasundari, Chintamani mantra in Swarnahamsa.
At a time when our universities which are mere Degrees production Units, churn out “solid waste” in the name of research; Seshendra even while attending to his job as a Municipal Commissioner created research oriented critical volumes like a sage.
Though Shodasi was published in 1967 and Swarnahamsa in 1968; Swarnahamsa was created by him much before Shodasi was conceived. The concepts that Srinatha, Nannayya and Mallanatha, the Telugu Classical poets couldn’t decipher,
Seshendra could. He humbly submits that he is most fortunate that the triumvirate had left behind some pertinent concepts only to be discovered by him at a later stage.
These two great kavyas were serialised under the editorship of late Neelamraju Venkata Seshaiah in Andhra Prabha Daily, Sunday Literary Supplements from 1963 to 1967 and Seshendra’s poems and non-fiction were published in the book forms (6) only after they appeared in serial form in Andhra Prabha.
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Gunturu Seshendra Sarma, the well-known poet, critic and scholar of unfathomable depth, has to his credit quite a number of books in Telugu as well as English. A keen intellect and a lucid exponent of the intricacies in Samskrit literature, the author brought out a treatise on Ramayana. The book also reveals the symbolism in our epics and shows the spirit behind.
According to the author, Sage Valmiki has observed Ramayana as though it is a story of a dynasty in its outward appearance. But when the story part is kept aside, the hidden secrets of the Mantrasastra come out. Valmiki’s Ramayana is full of Vedic literature, language and usages. Ramayana can be appreciated from three angles. The poetic beauty, the historicity and the secret meaning of mother Parasakti. Later Upanishads have taken Valmiki Ramayana as the way to the Mantrasastra. Rama’s wife Sita is considered as Parasakti. In Devi Bhagavatham Sita is described as Goddess Gayatri. The author has taken unusual pains and quoted Vedic dictations which are literally taken by Valmiki in his Ramayana. Thus it has been a product of Vedas and the usages in Ramayana and the words used therein and the similies adopted by Valmiki speak inexplicably the secret of Mother Lalita in his stories.
The author has given and attached a very great significance for Sundarakanda in Ramayana. The author has quoted numerous quotations from Smrithis and Srithis to establish that Sundarakanda is beautiful because Anjaneya the Jeeva has seen Sita the Parasakti. Hence this canto is so styled as Sundara. According to the author “Sita” means “Kundalini.” Hanuman has seen Sita while she was sitting on the ground. Ground means Earth. Earth denotes Mooladharam. The serpent Kundalini stays in this. Thus it is symbolised as Sita sat on the ground. Hanuman the Yogi has the vision of Kundalini in Sita. With the aid of Ida and Pingala, Kundalini travels in Sushumna through spinal cord crossing the six fluxes, and finally reaching Sahasraram. This again speaks of “Shodasi.” Rama is a beautiful man. He is having a Sundari in Sita (a beautiful woman). The descriptions are beautiful in this canto. Thus it is synonymous with “Soundaryalahari” of Sankaracharya.
The author expressed that Mahabharata is a reflection of Ramayana in all the cause, origin and delivery. Innumerable similarities are quoted from both Valmiki and Vyasa to prove that the usages, style and similies are almost similar in both the epics. He compares Vyasa’s “Nalacharitam” with Sundarakanda of Valmiki in the vision of Srividya.
The author further argues that Kalidasa’s “Meghasandesam” is only an imitation of Valmiki. The flight of Anjaneya in search of Sita is the basis for Kalidasa’s “Meghasandesam.” Both Sita and the Yaksha’s wife are described as “Syamas” – meaning in the middle of youth. The duration of separation is one year in both the cases. Ultimately the author said that “Meghasandesam” is the offspring of Ramayana, with yearning to see Parasakti.
The author has taken the readers in his book to that sublime beauty where there is no further argument, than to enjoy the flow of citations with their intrinsic meaning and full of scientific vision. His unsurpassed knowledge in Mantrasastra has enabled him to pass dictums vivisecting the symbolic mysticisms into splinters and handing the kernel of truth under each word, usage, and application. He deserves all praise for this meritorious contribution to our literature.
https://www.tributes.us/Seshendra-Seshendra-Sharma
Ramayan Through Kundalini Yoga
Shodasi is an ideal read for Sanskrit-literate readers who are open to eclectic yogarthas and connotative meanings
New Indian Express : 28th November 2015
By Mani Rao
So you thought Vyasa was before Valmiki, Mahabharat was before Ramayan, Rama a Vishnu avatar, and tantrism distinct from vedism? Think again. In Shodasi: Secrets of the Ramayana, Telugu poet Seshendra Sharma re-reads the Ramayan to come up with a number of new conclusions.
Much of the book sets out to prove that Ramayan was written before the Mahabharat. Sharma discusses how Indra is cited more often than Vishnu, thus placing the context of the Ramayan closer to Vedic than Puranic thought. He quotes from the Mahabharat to show how it follows descriptions of hills, rivers from the Ramayan. The Mahabharat has some prose, and therefore, it must have been composed after Ramayan, which is entirely in poetry. These are only some of the numerous reasons that Sharma offers to suggest a new sequence of our itihasas.
Sharma’s book is also an experimental reading of the Ramayan through the interpretive lens of what he calls Kundalini yoga. Hanuman’s flight to Sri Lanka gets a new interpretation. “Charana Charite Patti” is interpreted as the path of Kundalini, and the first verse of the Sundara Kanda “Tatho Ravana Nithayah” is interpreted by Sharma to refer to Hanuman traversing the sushumna nadi of the Kundalini.
Trijata’s dream becomes the Gayatri mantra through an imaginative recasting of words as numbers. Gaja (elephant) means eight, danta (teeth) means thirty-two, and maha-gaja-chaturdantam somehow also adds up to 32 syllables, which is the number of syllables in the Gayatri mantra. That Trijata’s dream is halfway through the Ramayan also becomes significant for Sharma, he calls it the ‘central bead’ in the Ramayan garland of 24,000 beads. Identifying 32-syllables as the Gayatri follows a convention, for mantras are referenced by the number of syllables; however, it is the “secret” yogartha—or mystical, anagogical translations—derived by Sharma that becomes problematic, unless he is considered an authority in his own right.
Shodasi.JPGSharma goes through an elaborate argument to conclude that the name Sundarakand is unrelated to any descriptions of beauty of any of the main characters in the Ramayan. However, Soundarya and Tripura-Sundari are well-known conventions in the tantric tradition and hence, Sharma concludes that Sundarakand derives its name from Shakti’s beauty, and “Sundara-Hanuman” means “Hanuman who is a devotee of Devi” (117).
A coda in this book is about the benedictory verse in Kalidasa’s Sakuntalam which has traditionally been understood to refer to Ishwara. Sharma re-interprets this verse highlighting the “eight forms” of the last line as the eight forms of Devi that please Ishwara.
This book is suitable for a reader who is Sanskrit-literate and open to eclectic yogarthas and connotative meanings. Sharma cites substantially from the Ramayan in roman but without diacritics, this is difficult to follow; and he does not always include translation. Sharma often cites commentators without citing names and sources. It is not clear why the book is called Shodasi—readers may note, this book is not about the Srividya tradition. Even if the reader is unconvinced by Sharma’s reasoning or methodology, the free flow of references may prove absorbing for a reader interested in the subject.
This could also be an eclectic reference for a scholar researching tantric elements in the Ramayan.
A Resplendent Icon of all Arts
This is an exemplary book which elevated the status of Indian Literary Criticism to the peaks of the world literature. Shodasi is a name associated with a great hymn. The title suggests that it’s a book on spiritual discourse. A reading of this book suggests that the spirit of scientific temper is critical to comprehend Valmiki’s Srimad Ramayana. Besides this, command on Vedic or Scriptural knowledge is essential. What does a layman has to say when a towering personality like Viswanatha Satyanarayana himself extolled the critical acumen and serious scholarship of Seshendra Sharma.
Sharma has made it crystal clear that unless one has an apparent understanding of the plot’s context, psyche of the characters, and the milieu of the bygone days supplemented by extraordinary scholarship, sound knowledge of phonetics and awareness on contemporary issues; one cannot easily comprehend the poetic diction of Valmiki. The debate on the phrase “Netraturaha” is a fitting example. The uniqueness of the title, Sundara kanda, Kundalini Yoga, Gayatri Mantra secretly hidden in Trijata’s dream sequence, considering The Bharatha as an image of The Ramayana.... this book is a repository of many such critical discourses. It is replete with inconceivable and unfathomable issues. This magnum opus is an invaluable gift to the Telugu literature.
- VIPULA, Viswa Katha Vedika: May 2014
(An exclusive Telugu Monthly Magazine for stories)
* * *
Valmiki Ramayana – Greatest Medicine for Mankind
The story of Ramayana is prescribed as textbook for students. Sita and Rama are worshiped as prime couple. No need to mention about reciting it. Whether Valmiki was satisfied with simple narration of the story? Seshendra Sharma denies it.
He analyzed it mentioning that to understand the inner meanings of Valmiki Ramayana, the scientific knowledge is essential.
The underlying secret of the sage’s mind will be known through the knowledge of science.
It is the firm opinion of Seshendra that the argument that “the sciences are for scholars only” is a conspiracy hatched by Selfish scholars and lazy uneducated persons.
Seshendra who has democratic ideology and conviction on science and literature informs the public about the secrets of Ramayana expounded by Valmiki. He explains that Valmiki dedicated ambrosia (The Greatest Medicine) named “Kundalini Yoga” to the mankind. The poetry in the metre of Anushtup Sloka is the honey coating to the medicine. It was explained with great introspection and exemplary scholarship. He concludes that the Ramayana is older than the Maha Bharatha and it is another form of Veda. Valmiki introduced the system of meditation in Ramayana. The Introspection and research bent of mind of Seshendra are spread over in the book in two streams. The exuberant fragrance of scholarship is experienced throughout the book.
The present generation can understand the scholarship of Seshendra in Vedas and Mantra Sastra. Seshendra is a poet who has composed unique Ruthu Ghosha (Cry of the Seasons: Metrical Poetry) and revolutionary free verse –Mande Suryudu (The Burning Sun).
- Andhra Prabha (Telugu Daily), 24th August 2014.
* * *
Two Great Peaks in the world literary criticism and research
Shodasi: Secrets of The Ramayana and Swarnahamsa Harshanaishada from the mighty pen of the great Telugu poet, Gunturu Seshendra Sharma are considered to be the two great peaks in the world literary criticism and research. This is a truth most contemporary Telugu writers and readers aren’t aware of. The way Seshendra could discover Kundalini Yoga, Gayathri Mantra in Shodasi, he could discern the treasure trove of mantra yoga, Sri Mahatripurasundari, Chintamani mantra in Swarnahamsa.
At a time when our universities which are mere Degrees production Units, churn out “solid waste” in the name of research; Seshendra even while attending to his job as a Municipal Commissioner created research oriented critical volumes like a sage.
Though Shodasi was published in 1967 and Swarnahamsa in 1968; Swarnahamsa was created by him much before Shodasi was conceived. The concepts that Srinatha, Nannayya and Mallanatha, the Telugu Classical poets couldn’t decipher,
Seshendra could. He humbly submits that he is most fortunate that the triumvirate had left behind some pertinent concepts only to be discovered by him at a later stage.
These two great kavyas were serialised under the editorship of late Neelamraju Venkata Seshaiah in Andhra Prabha Daily, Sunday Literary Supplements from 1963 to 1967 and Seshendra’s poems and non-fiction were published in the book forms (6) only after they appeared in serial form in Andhra Prabha.
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सर्वकला संभूषण
गुंटुर शेषेन्द्र शर्मा द्वारा विरचित ‘षोडशी’ भारत के विमर्शात्मक साहित्य को वैश्विक वाङमय में स्थापित करने वाला अत्युत्तम ग्रंथ है । ‘षोडशी’ नाम स्वयं महामंत्र से जुड़ा हुआ है । इस नाम को देखकर ही कहा जा सकता है कि यह एक आध्यात्मिक उद्बोधनात्मक ग्रंथ है । वाल्मीकि रामायण के मर्म को आत्मसात करने के लिए कितना अधिक शास्त्रीय-ज्ञान की आवश्यकता है, यह इस ग्रंथ को पढ़ने से ही समझ में आता है । इतना ही नहीं वाल्मीकि रामायण की व्याख्या करने के लिए वैदिक वाङमय की कितनी गहरायी से जनकारी होनी चाहिए, यह सब इस ग्रंथ को देख कर समझा जा सकता है । इसीलिए तो शेषेन्द्र शर्मा के सामर्थ्य, गहन परीक्षण-दृष्टि एवं पांडित्यपूर्ण ज्ञान की प्रशंसा स्वयं कविसम्राट विश्वनाथ सत्यनारायण भी करते हैं, जो कि आप में अनुपम विषय है ।
कथा-संदर्भ, चरित्रों की मनोस्थिति, तत्कालीन समय, शास्त्रीय-ज्ञान, लौकिक-ज्ञान, भाषा पर पूर्ण अधिकार आदि की जानकारी के बिना वाल्मीकि रामायण के मर्म को समझ पाना कठिन कार्य है, कह कर बहुत ही स्पष्ट शब्दों में शेषेन्द्र शर्मा ने वाल्मीकि रामायण के महत्व को उद्घाटित किया है । इस संदर्भ में उनकी नेत्रातुरः विषयक परिचर्चा विशेष उल्लेखनीय है । इसी प्रकार सुंदरकांड नाम की विशिष्टता, कुंडलिनी योग, त्रिजटा स्वप्न में अभिवर्णित गायत्री मंत्र की महिमा, महाभारत को रामायण का प्रतिरूप मानना – इस प्रकार इस ग्रंथ में ऐसे कई विमर्शात्मक निबंध हैं जिनकी ओर अन्य लोगों का ध्यान नहीं गया है । वास्तव में यह भारतीय साहित्य का अपना सत्कर्म ही है कि उसे षोडशी जैसा अद्भत ग्रंथ मिला है ।
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मानवजाति के लिए परमौषधि हैं ‘वाल्मीकि रामायण’
रामायण महान ग्रंथ है । रामायण को पाठ्यांश में रूप में बच्चों को पढ़ाया जाता है । वयस्क लोग सीता-राम की जोड़ी को एक आदर्श दम्पत्ति के रूप में पूजते हैं । जहाँ तक पारायण की बात है, कहने की जरूरत ही नहीं, यह इसका पारायण असंख्य रूप से किया जाता है । क्या महर्षि वाल्मीकि रामायण को केवल एक सरल कथा के रूप में कह कर चुप रह गये थे ? नहीं, ऐसा बिलकुल नहीं है । ये विचार हैं शेषेन्द्र शर्मा के ।
शेषेन्द्र शर्मा कहते हैं, वाल्मीकि के रामायण के गूढ़ अर्थ को आत्मसात करने के लिए शास्त्रीय-ज्ञान की आवश्यकता है । इसमें रहस्य रूप में छुपे ऋषि के मंतव्य को शास्त्रीय-ज्ञान के माध्यम से ही हासिल किया जा सकता है और यह ज्ञान सभी को आसानी से नहीं मिल पाता है । पर वे यह भी कहते हैं, ‘शास्त्र केवल पंडितों के पास ही होता है ऐसा मानना कुछ स्वार्थी पंडितों द्वारा प्रचारित शडयंत्र या साजिस है ।’ साहित्य और शास्त्र के प्रति इतनी स्पष्ट, ईमानदार एवं लोकतांत्रिक दृष्टि रखने वाले कवि एवं चिंतक शेषेन्द्र शर्मा ने रामायण में वाल्मीकि द्वारा गूढ़ रूप में व्यक्त किये गये रहस्यों को उद्घाटित कर जनमानस तक पहुँचाया है । शेषेन्द्र शर्मा कहते हैं अनुष्टप छंद में विरचित वाल्मीकि रामायण काव्य-औषधि पर चड़ाये गये मधु के समान है । यह ग्रंथ वेदों का रूपांतर है और महाभारत से पहले रचा गया अद्भुत ग्रंथ है । इस पुस्तक में शेषेन्द्र शर्मा की अंतर्मुखी-दृष्टि और परीक्षण-कौशल दोनो का परिचय स्पष्ट रूप से मिलता है । इतना ही नहीं, शेषेन्द्र शर्मा की प्रतिभा एवं पांडित्य की झलक इस पुस्तक के प्रत्येक पृष्ठ पर नज़र आती है ।
‘ऋतुघोष’ जैसे श्रेष्ठ कविता संग्रह में अभिव्यक्त शेषेन्द्र शर्मा काव्य-प्रतिभा और ‘मंडे सूर्युडु’ जैसे श्रेष्ठ गद्य-पुस्तक में प्रस्तुत उनके वैदिक-वाङमय के ज्ञान की जानकारी का परिचय वर्तमान समय की युवापीढ़ी को इस ग्रंथ के माध्यम से प्राप्त हो सकता है ।
Seshendra - Visionary Poet of the Millennium:
http://seshendrasharma.weebly.com/
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సుమారు 45 ఏళ్ళ క్రితం అచ్చయిన ఈ మహా కావ్యం అంతగా జన బాహుళ్యంలో ప్రాచుర్యానికి నోచుకోలేదు. శేషేంద్ర దానికి పూనుకోకపోవడమే ప్రధాన కారణం.
ఆ తర్వాత 2000 సంవత్సరంలో వచ్చిన 3వ ప్రచురణతో కొంత వెలుగులోకి వచ్చింది. కొన్ని సమీక్షలు వెలువడ్డాయి. మళ్ళీ 2013లో వెలువడ్డ ప్రచురణతో కాస్త ప్రజల్లోకి వెళ్ళింది.
ఈ 45 ఏళ్ళలో వచ్చిన విభిన్న సమీక్షలతో సమగ్రంగా సర్వాంగ సుందరంగా షోడశి ఈ-బుక్ మన ముందుకు వస్తోంది.
ఈ డిజిటల్ శకంలో, నేటి ఈ-యుగంలో శ్రీ జయ విజయదశమి పర్వదిన కానుకగా "షోడశి"ని జగన్మాత ఆశీస్సులుగా అందిస్తున్నారు కవికుమారుడు సాత్యకి.
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మానవాళికో పరమౌషధం... వాల్మీకీ ‘రామాయణం’
రామాయణం కథ ఒక పాఠ్యాంశంగా పిల్లల చేత చదివిస్తారు. సీతారాముల్ని ఆదిదంపతులుగా పెద్దలు కొలుస్తారు. ఇక పారాయణం సంగతి చెప్పనక్కర్లేదు. వాల్మీకి రామాయణాన్ని ఒక సులభమైన కథగా చెప్పి ఊరుకున్నాడా? కాదంటున్నారు శేషేంద్రశర్మ.
వాల్మీకి రామాయణం అంతరాత్మ అవగతం అవడానికి శాస్త్ర పరిజ్ఞానం అవసరమని, అందులో రహస్యంగా దాగి వున్న రుషి హృదయం. శాస్త్ర పరిజ్ఞానం ద్వారానే ఆకళింపునకు లొంగుతుందని విశ్లేషించారు. మరి శాస్త్ర పరిజ్ఞానం అందరికీ అందేది కాదు కదా!
‘‘శాస్త్రములు పండితుల కొరకే’’ అన్న వాదం ‘‘కొందరు స్వార్థపరులైన పండితులు, కొందరు సోమరులైన పామరులు కలిసి చేసిన కుట్ర, కల్పించిన భ్రాంతి’’ అన్నది శేషేంద్రగారి నిశ్చితాభిప్రాయం. సాహిత్యం, శాస్త్రం పట్ల ఇలాంటి నిజాయితీ యుతమైన ప్రజాస్వామిక దృక్పథం ఉన్న శేషేంద్ర రామాయణంలో వాల్మీకి దాచిన రహస్యాల్ని ప్రజానీకానికి విడమరిచి చెబుతున్నారు. వాల్మీకి మహర్షి కుండలినీ యోగమనే పరమౌషధాన్ని మానవాళికి బహూకరించాడని, అనుష్టుప్ ఛందస్సులో ఉన్న వాల్మీకి కవిత ఆ ఔషధానికి తేనెపూత అనీ అనన్య అంతర్మథనంతో, అసాధారణ విద్వత్తుతో వ్యాఖ్యానించారు. రామాయణంలో వాల్మీకి ధ్యాన పద్ధతిని ప్రతిపాదించాడని, రామాయణం భారతంకంటే పూర్వ గ్రంథమనీ, వేదానికి రూపాంతరమనీ తేల్చి చెప్పారు. శేషేంద్రలోని అంతర్ముఖత్వం, పరిశీలాన్వేషణా చాతుర్యం రెండు పాయలుగా గ్రంథమంతటా విస్తరించాయి. ప్రతిభా పాండిత్యాల పారవశ్య పరిమళం గ్రంథమంతటా గుబాళిస్తుంది. ఋతుఘోష వంటి అరుదైన పద్యకావ్యం, మండే సూర్యుడు వంటి సంచలనాత్మక వచన కవితా సంకలనం వెలువరించిన శేషేంద్రలోని మంత్ర శాస్త్రం, వేదవాంగ్మయంలో విద్వాంసుడన్న కోణం ఈ గ్రంథం ద్వారా నేటితరం వాళ్ళు తెలుసుకోవచ్చు.
- వై.వసంత , ఆంధ్రప్రభ, ఆదివారం 24 ఆగస్టు 2014
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సర్వకళా సంశోభితం
భారతీయ విమర్శనా సాహిత్యాన్ని ప్రపంచ వాజ్ఞ్మయంలో నిలువెత్తు నిలబెట్టిన అత్యుత్తమ గ్రంథమిది. ‘షోడశి’ అనేది మహామంత్రానికి సంబంధించిన నామం. ఈ పేరును బట్టే ఇదో అధ్యాత్మ ప్రబోధగ్రంథమని గ్రహించవచ్చు. వాల్మీకి శ్రీమద్రామాయణాన్ని అర్థం చేసుకోవడానికి ఎంత శాస్త్రపరిజ్ఞానం అవసరమో ఈ గ్రంథం చదివితే తెలుస్తుంది. అంతేకాదు, వైదికవాజ్ఞ్మయం మీద అధికారం ఉండాలి. శేషేంద్రశర్శగారి లోతైన పరిశీలనా దృష్టిని, పాండిత్యాన్ని సాక్షాత్తు...... కథాసందర్భం, పాత్రల మనోగతం, ఆనాటి కాలం, విశేషమైన శాస్త్ర పాండిత్యం, శబ్దాధికారం, వీటికి తోడు లౌకిక వ్యవహారాలు ఇన్ని తెలిస్తే కాని వాల్మీకి పదప్రయోగాలను అవగతం చేసుకోలేమని శర్మగారు తేటతెల్లం చేశారు. దీనికి మకుటాయమానం ‘నేత్రాతుర:’ అనే శబ్దం మీద నిర్వహించిన చర్చ. సుందరకాండ పేరులో విశేషం, కుండలినీ యోగం, త్రిజటా స్వప్న వృత్తాంతంలో గాయత్రీ మంత్ర రహస్యం, భారతాన్ని రామాయణానికి ప్రతిబింబంగా భావించడం ` ఇలా ఎన్నో విమర్శనా వ్యాసాలు.. ఇతరుల ఊహకు కూడా అందనివి ఇందులో ఉన్నాయి. తెలుగు సాహితీ లోకం చేసుకున్న పుణ్యఫలం ఈ గ్రంథరాజం.
- విపుల , విశ్వకథా వేదిక, మే, 2014
ప్రప్రంచ సాహిత్య విమర్శలో, పరిశోధనలో రెండు మహోన్నత శిఖరాలు
మహాకవి శేషేంద్ర విరచిత షోడశి రామాయణ రహస్యములు, స్వర్ణహంస హర్షనైషద కావ్య పరిశీలన ప్రపంచ సాహితీ విమర్శలో రెండు మహోన్నత శిఖరాలు. సమకాలీన తెలుగు సాహిత్య ప్రజానీకానికి ముఖ్యంగా నేటి తరానికి తెలియని సత్యమిది. వాల్మీకి రామాయణంలో కుండలినీ యోగం, గాయత్రీమంత్రం తదితరాలు సాక్ష్యాత్కరించినట్లే శేషేంద్రకు హర్షుడి నైషధంలో మంత్రయోగ తంత్ర సంపుటి, శ్రీ మహాత్రిపుర సుందరి, చింతామణి తిరస్కరిణి మంత్రాలు సాక్ష్యాత్కరించాయి.
డిగ్రీల ఉత్పత్తి కేంద్రాలయిన మన విశ్వవిద్యాలయాలు రీసెర్చ్ పేరుతో టన్నుల కొద్దీ ‘‘సాలిడ్ వేస్ట్’’ కుమ్మరిస్తుండగా శేషేంద్ర మున్సిపల్ కమీషనర్ నౌకరీ చేస్తూనే ఋషిగా దార్శినిక పరిశోధనాత్మకత విమర్శ గ్రంథాలు సృజించారు.
ప్రచురణ రీత్యా షోడశి (1967) స్వర్ణహంస (1968) వెలువడ్డా రచనాకాలం దృష్ట్యా స్వర్ణహంస తొలికావ్యం. నన్నయ్య, శ్రీనాథ, మల్లినాథులకు దొరకని రహస్యాలు శేషేంద్రకు సాక్ష్యాత్కరించాయి. ఈ మహనీయత్రయం నైషథంలోని రహస్యాలను తనకు విడిచిపెట్టి వెళ్లడం తన పూర్వజన్మ పుణ్యఫలమని అంటారు శేషేంద్ర వినమ్రంగా.
"ఈ రెండు మహా కావ్యాలు, ఆనాడు కీ.శే. నీలంరాజు వెంకటశేషయ్య గారి సంపాదకత్వంలోని ఆంధ్రప్రభ దినపత్రికలో 1963 నుంచి 1966 వరకూ ధారావాహికంగా, ఆదివారం సాహిత్యనుబంధంలో వెలువడ్డాయి. శేషేంద్ర పద్య, గద్య కావ్యాలన్నీ కూడా (సుమారు 6 పుస్తకాలు) ప్రభలో వెలువడ్డ తరువాతే పుస్తక రూపంలో ప్రచురితమయ్యాయి".
