“The Murty Classical Library is uncovering India’s dazzling literary history… It illuminates lost things, brings back to recognition texts that were once crucial.” —Neel Mukherjee, new statesman
2021 Rohan Narayana Murty founder Editorial Board Sheldon Pollock general editor Francesca Orsini Sunil Sharma David Shulman
NEW TITLES THE HISTORY OF AKBAR Volume 7
abu’l-fazl
Edited and translated by Wheeler M. Thackston
Akbarnāma, or The History of Akbar, by Abu’lFazl, is one of the most important works of IndoPersian history and a touchstone of prose artistry. Marking a high point in a long, rich tradition of Persian historical writing, it served as a model for historians across the Persianate world. The work is at once a biography of the Mughal emperor Akbar (r. 1556–1605) that includes descriptions of his political and martial feats and cultural achievements, and a chronicle of sixteenthcentury India. The Persian text, presented in the Naskh script, is based on a careful reassessment of the primary sources. mcli 26 2021 800 pp. 9780674244160
THE ESSENCE OF POLITICS
kamandaki
Edited and translated by Jesse Ross Knutson
Kamandaki’s Nītisāra, or The Essence of Politics, redefined the field of political thought in early medieval India and became one of the most influential works in the genre across South and Southeast Asia. It was likely written during or shortly after the Gupta Empire (c. 325–550 CE) and enjoyed wide popularity for nearly a millennium. An elegant introduction to the intricacies of statecraft, The Essence of Politics encompasses virtually all aspects of elite social life, making it indispensable for generals, spies, ministers, and other members of the royal court, especially poets writing about war and conquest. Addressed directly to the king, its lessons range from the finer points of military strategy and economic policy to the moral qualities of effective rulers. Kamandaki anchors political practice in intellectual and spiritual discipline. His model of leadership, based on self-control and personal cultivation, is as relevant today as it was in its own time. The Sanskrit text, presented here in the Devanagari script, accompanies a new English prose translation. mcli 28 2021 368 pp. 9780674975767
NEW ENGLISH PAPERBACK EDITION SUFI LYRICS
Selections from a World Classic
bullhe shah Translated by Christopher Shackle
Bullhe Shah’s work is among the glories of Panjabi literature, and the iconic eighteenth-century poet is widely regarded as a master of mystical Sufi poetry. His verses, famous for their vivid style and outspoken denunciation of artificial religious divisions, have long been beloved and continue to win audiences around the world. This striking new translation is the most authoritative and engaging introduction to an enduring South Asian classic. 2021 220 pp. $19.95 9780674251366
all volumes: $35.00 | £28.95 cloth • to order: www.murtylibrary.com
NEW TITLES POEMS FROM THE SATSAI
biharilal
LILAVAI
kouhala
Translated by Rupert Snell
Edited and translated by Andrew Ollett
In his Satsai, or Seven Hundred Poems, the seventeenth-century poet Biharilal draws on a rich vernacular tradition, blending amorous narratives about the god Krishna and the goddess Radha with archetypal hero and heroine motifs from older Sanskrit and Prakrit conventions. While little is known of Biharilal’s life beyond his role as court poet to King Jai Singh of Amber (1611–1667), his verses reflect deep knowledge of local north Indian culture and geography, especially the bucolic landscapes of Krishna’s youth in the Braj region (in today’s Uttar Pradesh). With ingenuity and virtuosity, Biharilal weaves together worldly experience and divine immanence, and adapts the tropes of stylized courtly poetry, such as romantic rivalries, clandestine trysts, and the bittersweet sorrow of separated lovers. Poems from the Satsai comprises a selection of four hundred couplets from this enduring work. The Hindi text— composed in Braj Bhasha, the literary language of early-modern north India—is presented here in the Devanagari script and accompanies a new English verse translation.
The Prakrit romance Lilavai, an early ninthcentury poem attributed to Kouhala and set in modern-day coastal Andhra Pradesh, is the most celebrated work in the genre. Complexly narrated in the alternating voices of its heroines and heroes and featuring a cast of semi-divine and magical beings, it centers on three young women: Lilavai, princess of Sinhala (today’s Sri Lanka); her cousin Mahanumai, princess of the mythical city Alaka; and Kuvalaavali, Mahanumai’s adopted sister. Following a prophecy that Lilavai’s husband will rule the earth, the princess happens upon a portrait of King Hala of Pratishthana and immediately falls in love. While journeying to meet him, she hears her cousins’ tales of their lost loves, and then vows not to marry until they are reunited. To win Lilavai’s hand, King Hala journeys to the underworld, faces monsters, and overcomes armies. Lilavai explores themes of karma and female desire, notably privileging women as storytellers. A new edition of the Prakrit text, presented in the Devanagari script, accompanies a new English prose translation.
mcli 27 2021 192 pp. 9780674987074
mcli 29 2021 432 pp. 9780674247598
NEW ENGLISH PAPERBACK EDITION POEMS OF THE FIRST BUDDHIST WOMEN
A Translation of the Therigatha Translated by Charles Hallisey
The Therīgāthā is one of the oldest surviving literatures by women, composed more than two millennia ago and originally collected as part of the Pali canon of Buddhist scripture. These poems were written by some of the first Buddhist women—therīs—honored for their religious achievements. Through imaginative verses about truth and freedom, the women recount their lives before ordination and their joy at attaining liberation from samsara. Poems of the First Buddhist Women offers startling insights into the experiences of women in ancient times that continue to resonate with modern readers. With a spare and elegant style, this powerful translation introduces us to a classic of world literature. 2021 192 pp. $19.95 9780674251359
all volumes: $35.00 | £28.95 cloth • to order: www.murtylibrary.com
THE MURTY CLASSICAL LIBRARY OF INDIA—ALL VOLUMES SUFI LYRICS
THE STORY OF MANU
bullhe shah
allasani peddana
mcli 1 2015 496 pp. 9780674427747
mcli 4 2015 656 pp. 9780674427761
SUFI LYRICS Selections from a World Classic
SUR’S OCEAN Poems from the Early Tradition
bullhe shah
Paper (English only)
surdas mcli 5 2015
mcli 1 2021 220 pp. $19.95 9780674251366
1072 pp. 9780674427778
THE HISTORY OF AKBAR
tulsidas
abu’l-fazl
vol. 1: mcli 2 2015 656 pp. 9780674427754 vol. 2: mcli 6 2016 592 pp. 9780674504943
THE EPIC OF RAM
SELECTED GHAZALS AND OTHER POEMS
ARJUNA AND THE HUNTER
vol. 6: mcli 23 2020 688 pp. 9780674986138
bharavi
mcli 9 2016 480 pp. 9780674504967
vol. 7: mcli 26 2021 800 pp. 9780674244160
THE KILLING OF SHISHUPALA
THERIGATHA Selected Poems of the First Buddhist Women mcli 3 2015 336 pp. 9780674427730
mcli 11 2017 832 pp. 9780674660397
POEMS OF THE FIRST BUDDHIST WOMEN A Translation of the Therigatha
vol. 1: mcli 12 2017 560 pp. 9780674660427
Paper (English only)
magha
IN PRAISE OF ANNADA
bharatchandra ray
mcli 3 2021 200 pp. $19.95 9780674251359
A TREATISE ON DHARMA
vol. 2: mcli 8 2016 416 pp. 9780674088610
vol. 5: mcli 24 2020 400 pp. 9780674986145
vol. 5: mcli 19 2019 784 pp. 9780674983953
RISALO
shah abdul latif mcli 18 2018 704 pp. 9780674975040
vol. 1: mcli 7 2016 416 pp. 9780674425019
vol. 4: mcli 16 2018 368 pp. 9780674975026
vol. 4: mcli 14 2018 656 pp. 9780674975033
svayambhudeva vol. 1: mcli 17 2018 768 pp. 9780674660366
yajnavalkya mcli 20 2019 432 pp. 9780674277069
vol. 3: mcli 15 2018 336 pp. 9780674975019
vol. 3: mcli 10 2017 704 pp. 9780674659827
THE LIFE OF PADMA
vol. 2: mcli 25 2020 720 pp. 9780674970984 THE LIFE OF HARISHCHANDRA
mir taqi mir mcli 21 2019 704 pp. 9780674919204 REMEMBRANCES
mir taqi mir mcli 22 2019 400 pp. 9780674660298 POEMS FROM THE SATSAI
biharilal mcli 27 2021 192 pp. 9780674987074
THE ESSENCE OF POLITICS
kamandaki mcli 28 2021 368 pp. 9780674975767 LILAVAI
kouhala mcli 29 2021 432 pp. 9780674247598
raghavanka mcli 13 2017
688 pp. 9780674545663
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