O P Sharma
Name of Book: Therapeutic Thoughts
( Vichar Aaushadh in Hindi by
Santosh Sangra)
Translator: Vandana Sharma-&
Shachi Sood
Publisher :Highbrow Publications, Jammu.
Year: 2024
Pages: 134
Price: Rs. 300
The original book entitled ” Vichar Aaushadh” in Hindi by noted dramatist-cum-writer has commanded a wide readership and carved out a niche in the literary circle and common persons.
Prof Vandana Sharma has undertaken the challenging task of translating this book in English so that its reach is further widened. In this work, she had the assistance from resource persons: Dr Shachi Sood as also Tania Shri, Sheetal Devi, Kamaljot Kaur and Mridul Sharma. It is noteworthy that the translation work has been done superbly keeping intact the spirit, tone and tenor of the original book Santosh Sangra’s Vichar Aaushadh.
Unique Initiative
The Foreword of ” Therapeutic Thoughts” has been penned by Dr Neeraja Gupta, Vice-Chancellor, Gujarat, University, Ahmedabad who opined that scholars and academia have joined the efforts to revive the past knowledge, hidden in many treasures. He has also expressed compliments to the author as well as the translators.
Journey of Self-discovery
In the ” Translator’s Note” , Prof Vandana Sharma states “the book embarks the readers on a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization traversing the Bhartiya value systems, traditions and spiritual underpinnings. It has been added that an attempt is to reach wider audience by offering them solutions and familiarizing them with a fresh perspective of human life as pinpointed by the author in the book “Vichar Aaushadh”.
Translation Versions Needed
In the present time, Indian literature, has a number of languages and so it is pertinent that translations of classical books must be made available in different languages. The initiative of both the author and the apt translation of a Dogri book in English is a laudable endeavour.
Santosh Sangra’s book into English as Therapeutic Thoughts comes during the momentous era when the effective implementation of NEP-2020 when the nation is creating renewed interest among academics, planners and other stake-holders seems ordained and timely, observes Vandana Sharma in her “Translator’s Note”.
The original book ‘ Vichar Aaushadh ‘ is a collection of 20 thought-provoking essays which carry the reader on a journey of self-discovery and self- actualization traversing wide spectrum of the Bhartiya value systems, traditions and spiritual underpinnings.
‘Therapeutic Thoughts’ contains 20 chapters on different topics and themes. Essays includes: Women, Nourishing the Roots, The colour Saffron, Carbon-copy, Heaven-Hell,Therapeutic Thoughts, Bundle of Wealth, Goal, Scriptures to Arms, Union, Life is Beautiful, Courage, Exhibition, Difficulties, Festivities, Greatness, Desires, Bonds and Heritage.
Literary Writings
In the first chapter titled ‘Women’ it is observed that a mother has two eyes, one of affection and other of impartiality. The womb of a mother is a home too, where foetus grows gradually and safely. A home is a place where “deepak of worship” invokes deities and gods. Elderly are duly respected and the home is purified with recitation of ‘ mantras’.
It has been noted that women personify strength, reverence, faith, trust, sacrifice and unconditional love. She always lives within the confines of strict moral and social order as also a blissful form of mutual understanding.
Useful Book
In India, the land of Shakti, woman embodies sacrifice-service and is known as a Devi and is worshiped. Woman personifies renunciation and sacrifice but she also knows how to fight for her rights. The sacrifice of Rani of Jhansi was exceptional and of exemplary valour. Even today, there are numerous women possessing exceptional gifted qualities of head and heart as also academic and professional knowledge. The ethos of Indian culture hold woman as bedrock of our traditions and even the entire civilization!
While much credit for in-depth thoughts in the Vichar Aaushadh goes to original Hindi writer, Santosh Sangra, a great praise is also due to Vandana Sharma and her associates for quality translation of this famous book. The Highbrow Publishers too have done a fine job in production of this book under review which is particularly meant for non-Dogri speaking readership.
I have gone through the book with intense interest and would call upon the average readers: academicians, the youth and all the citizens to read it with profit and pleasures.
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