Ath Vyangahiyali - Book Summary

This document is a section from "Anusandhan - 16," published by ZZ_Anusandhan, titled "Ath Vyangahiyali" (meaning "On Vyangahiyali") and authored by Bhanvarlal Nahta. The provided text presents a series of Prakrit verses, each followed by a Sanskrit explanation or interpretation. These verses are described as "problematic verses" or "riddles" (समस्यारूप पद्यो) that require a discerning mind to solve. The collection is referred to as "Vyangahiyali," which is suggested to be an older form of a poetic genre later known as "Hariyali."

The essence of "Vyangahiyali" lies in presenting symbolic questions or riddles, which the verses here exemplify. Each verse poses a scenario involving a woman and her actions or words, which seem to contradict common sense or expectations. The Sanskrit explanations then reveal the underlying symbolic meaning or the context that resolves the apparent contradiction.

Here's a summary of the verses presented on Page 1 and Page 2, along with their interpretations:

Page 1:

Verse 1: A woman is asked why she appears so proud and conceited if her husband called her beautiful.
- Interpretation: The explanation suggests that perhaps there is no statue or image in a "Shunyadevakula" (a temple without a deity). This implies the woman's pride is misplaced or based on something intangible, much like a deity in an empty temple.
Verse 2: If a woman's mother-in-law tells her to offer a lamp in her beloved's residence, why does she smile and look at the child?
- Interpretation: The woman thinks, "My beloved resides in my heart; what need is there to offer a lamp there?" Her smile towards the child signifies her inner contentment and the presence of her beloved within her.
Verse 3: If her brother-in-law tells her to take a sword and go to the royal court, why does she smile and look at the bed?
- Interpretation: The brother-in-law likely made a suggestion related to an act of bravery or perhaps a euphemism for something else. Her reaction suggests she is thinking about intimacy or perhaps a playful defiance of his suggestion, looking at the bed. The explanation notes that it implies "contrary love-making, acting like a man."
Verse 4: If her husband tells her that her face is like the moon, why does she touch her cheek with her hand?
- Interpretation: She is thinking, "The moon is blemished; what blemish does my cheek have?" This implies she might be self-conscious or is seeking reassurance about her own beauty, comparing herself to the moon and its perceived flaws.
Verse 5: Why does a youthful woman, amidst her companions, caress a lotus flower with her hand when its petals are unfurled?
- Interpretation: The response suggests, "Come when the lotus closes," implying it's nighttime. The unfurled lotus symbolizes a woman at her peak beauty, and the act of caressing it hints at a desire for a nocturnal rendezvous.
Verse 6: Why does she, in the month of Vasant (spring), when there is a new bloom, youth, prosperity, and her husband is present, look towards the ground with her head bowed?
- Interpretation: She is thinking, "Is this a beast? Does it have horns on its head?" This suggests she is observing her husband's physical form with a mixture of attraction and perhaps a slightly crude or animalistic thought, possibly due to the romantic atmosphere of spring.
Verse 7: Seeing her beloved, who has been away for a long time, at the door of the house, why does she prepare to embrace him with a thousand arms, praise him with a thousand eyes, and invoke Vasudeva, Indra, and Purandara?
- Interpretation: This is a hyperbolic expression of immense joy and longing. The thousand arms, eyes, and invocations represent the overwhelming desire to embrace, praise, and offer prayers for the well-being of her beloved upon his return from a long absence.

Page 2:

Verse 8: If a proud youth asks a woman to show him the moon, when should she show it?
- Interpretation: The answer is, "Come when he sets," implying the waning phase of the moon, or specifically, during the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha). This is a symbolic rejection or a hint that the auspicious time for his desire will come later.
Verse 9: Seeing the beloved's ornaments fallen at his feet, and knowing he is with his companions, why does she think, "Today, Sīta must die"?
- Interpretation: The interpretation connects this to the story of Sita from the Ramayana. The fallen ornaments and the presence of companions might be a symbolic representation of a potentially compromising situation or a perceived betrayal, leading her to think of extreme consequences, perhaps in a metaphorical sense related to purity or devotion.
Verse 10: Seeing Lakshmi (wealth/beauty) in a reversed state, and seeing Brahma near the lotus, why does Hari (Vishnu) close his right eye?
- Interpretation: The right eye of Hari is associated with the sun. When the sun is obscured (like the lotus closing due to sunset), the symbolic connection is that wealth or beauty (Lakshmi) is in a "reversed" or diminished state. The closing of the eye signifies his observation of this phenomenon.
Verse 11: If a friend says, "What is protected with great effort by young women is given by my beloved to me," why does she say her face is dark?
- Interpretation: The question is "What is the meaning?" The answer states, "He slept turned away." This implies that her beloved has given her something (perhaps a kiss or a mark) that has left a "darkening" effect on her face, or metaphorically, a secret or a significant experience, which she then attributes to her beloved's actions.
Verse 12: Oh brother-in-law! You know what I took in my palm. A naturally simple girl scatters Karanja leaves.
- Interpretation: This indicates she is revealing a secret place or a signal using Karanja leaves, a common practice for communication or indicating a meeting spot.
Verse 13: If her friends tell her that her husband is one who finds fault, why does she appear more proud and conceited?
- Interpretation: She thinks, "May my beloved not see me." This implies her pride is a defense mechanism or a way to avoid his critical gaze.

Editorial Notes:

The endnotes on Page 2 and Page 3 provide important context:

Author's Condition: The notes mention that Shri Nahata wrote down some verses from old collections with a shaky hand, attributing it to his age (88-89 years) and eye problems. Despite these difficulties, his passion for research and continued thirst for knowledge are highly praised.
'Vyangahiyali' as Riddles: The notes confirm that Nahata sent some "problematic verses" under the title 'Vyangahiyali.' The published verses are those that could be deciphered and their solutions found.
Future Publications: Nahata mentioned sending additional material from "Hiyali Sangraha" and a "Gyanbhandar" at the Char Kaman temple in Hyderabad, with the intention of publishing them appropriately in future issues.
'Hiyali' and 'Hariyali': The notes suggest that 'Hiyali' is likely the original form of the poetic genre later known as 'Hariyali.' This genre is characterized by the weaving of symbolic questions or riddles that require the "vichakshan" (discerning, wise) to solve.

In essence, "Ath Vyangahiyali" is a scholarly presentation and analysis of a specific type of riddle-based poetry, highlighting its symbolic language, cultural contexts, and the intellectual challenge it presents. The work is a testament to the enduring scholarly efforts of Bhanvarlal Nahta, even in his advanced age.