{"product_id":"sket-anand-kumar-ashodhiya-9789354698453","title":"S\u0026#256;ket: An English Transcreation","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSĀKET: An English Transcreation reawakens Maithili Sharan Gupt's 20th-century Hindi epic, widely considered the finest work of modern Hindi literature. It masterfully shifts the focus of the Ramayana away from the battlefield and onto the domestic heart of Ayodhya, chronicling the forgotten narratives of women whose silent suffering upheld the Dharma.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis meticulously crafted English Transcreation preserves the poetic integrity, meter, and profound emotional depth of the original, finally making this essential literary masterpiece accessible to a global audience.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Story: A Testament to Silence and Sacrifice\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhile the ancient epic details Rama's exile, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSāket\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e explores the tragedy unfolding in the palace he left behind, centering powerfully on two women who bear the deepest, most complex sacrifices: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUrmila: The Embodiment of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViraha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e The narrative elevates Urmila, Lakshmana's wife, into the core spiritual truth of the epic. She willingly accepts 14 years of profound, conscious separation (\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViraha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e). Gupt elevates her voluntary sacrifice-her silent vigil, her deep spiritual commitment, and her agonizing devotion-into the core spiritual truth of the epic. The intensity of her grief and unwavering love is the central focus of the poem, offering a powerful meditation on duty, self-control, and the strength found in solitude.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaikeyi: The Journey to Repentance The poem brilliantly humanizes Kaikeyi, the queen whose cruel demand set the entire tragedy in motion. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSāket\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e delves into her later life, depicting her genuine, agonizing repentance and her attempts to seek redemption and forgiveness from her family and subjects. Her journey from villainy to self-awareness challenges the traditional narrative, presenting a complex portrait of a woman grappling with the consequences of her actions.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore Than a Translation: It is a Transcreation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesignated a \"Transcreation,\" this volume signifies a labor of love that goes beyond mere linguistic equivalence. It captures the very soul and rhythm of Gupt's poetry. The English verse mirrors the flow and emotional intensity of the original Khariboli and Dohas, ensuring the spiritual resonance and lyrical beauty are preserved. It also includes comprehensive annotations and context, providing a cultural bridge for Western readers to the philosophical, mythological, and cultural nuances of classical Indian literature.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Read SĀKET?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSāket\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e is essential reading for lovers of epic poetry, feminist literature, and spiritual narratives: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeminist Reinterpretation: It is a foundational text in challenging patriarchal readings of the Ramayana, foregrounding female agency, strength, and suffering.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiterary Masterpiece: Experience a pivotal work that marked a new age in Hindi literature, combining traditional themes with modern sensibilities.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA Universal Theme: Urmila's devotion and Kaikeyi's remorse speak to the universal human experience of love, duty, and the arduous path to forgiveness.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStep into the heart of Ayodhya and experience the Ramayana through the eyes of the women who bore its greatest weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Anand Kumar Ashodhiya\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 935469845X\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9789354698453\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Avikavani Publishers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/25\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 150\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.40lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.32d","brand":"Anand Kumar Ashodhiya","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48874519462143,"sku":"9789354698453","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/sket-anand-kumar-ashodhiya-9789354698453","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}