Bhota Prakasa

"Bhota Prakasa: A Tibetan Chrestomathy" by Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya, published by Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd, is a significant contribution to the field of Tibetan studies. The book serves as a valuable resource for students and scholars interested in Tibetan literature, particularly its connection to Sanskrit.

Key Features and Content:

• Comprehensive Introduction: The book begins with an introduction that explores the historical and cultural connections between Bengal and Tibet, highlighting the entry of Sanskrit literature and Buddhism into Tibet. It also provides a brief overview of Tibetan literature.
• Skeleton Grammar: A concise grammar of the Tibetan language is included, covering its alphabet, pronunciation, transliteration schemes for Sanskrit, numerals, honorific words, noun declension, adjectives, pronouns, verbs (including tenses, participles, infinitives, imperatives, conditionals, and irregular verbs), and causative formations.
• Tibetan Texts: Part I of the chrestomathy contains a collection of important Tibetan texts, representing both religious and secular literature. The texts include:
  • Prajñādanda
  • Nāgānanda
  • Udanavarga
  • Buddhacarita
  • Lalitavistara
  • Bodhisattvāvadānakalpalatā
  • Bhagavadgītā
  • Nyāyabindu
  • Nyāyabinduṭīkā
  • Catuḥśataka
  • Mūlamadhyamakakārikā
  • Kāśyapaparivarta
  • Kāvyādarśa
  • Rūpādityakathā (as a specimen of modern Tibetan) The texts are presented in classical Tibetan, with a Roman transliteration and Sanskrit equivalents provided for better understanding. The arrangement of Tibetan and Sanskrit words often indicates their correspondence through figures or superscribed letters.
• Notes: Part II consists of detailed notes that offer explanations for the texts, including clarifications on vocabulary, grammar, and cultural references, as well as the sources of verses from various Sanskrit works.
• Vocabularies: Part III provides comprehensive vocabularies, organized in two sections: Tibetan-Sanskrit and Sanskrit-Tibetan, along with addenda and corrections.
• Appendix: An appendix offers a short bibliography to aid further study in Tibetan literature.

Historical Context and Significance:

The book's preface highlights the revival of Tibetan studies in Calcutta, initiated by scholars like Csoma de Körös and Sarat Chandra Das. It acknowledges the crucial role of Sir Asutosh Mookerjee in establishing Tibetan studies at the University of Calcutta, which included acquiring a vast collection of Tibetan works. The preface also notes the period of neglect followed by the revival of these studies under Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

"Bhota Prakasa" is specifically designed for students familiar with Sanskrit who are interested in Tibetan as a repository of early Indian literature. It aims to bridge the gap in existing chrestomathies by focusing on texts that have a strong connection to Sanskrit originals, many of which are now lost in their original form and preserved only through Tibetan translations. The author, Vidhushekhara Bhattacharya, acknowledges the potential shortcomings of the book but hopes it will serve its intended purpose in facilitating the study of Tibetan literature and its rich historical context.