Barahmasa in Indian Literature

by Charlotte Vaudville

This monograph attempts at an exploration of Indian psyche at fold level which finds its expression in poetic form known as Barahmasa--songs of the twelve months. In Part One the author makes a penetrating analysis of the essential core of Barahmasa literature that occupies a distinguished position in Indo-Aryan vernaculars. Different types of Barahmasas, their origin and development, are brought under purview of discussion. Central to the corpus of Barahmasa literature is the Viraha type which revolves around the theme of painful separation of the beloved from her lover. The Viraha type, symbolizing the pangs of the human soul for divine love, is cultivated by Indian Sufis and Sants, and turned into a type known as `Religious` Barahmasa. Part Two provides a selection of Barahmasa texts from Indian literary sources in Devanagari script, accompanied by their English translation. The monograph is a pioneering scholarly work on an untapped recess of Indian psyche. Written in a simple racy style, it appeals equally to researchers and general readers. CHARLOTTE VAUDEVILLE visited India and researched on Indian vernacular literatures. She is on the teaching staff of the Sorbonne, and is a member of the following learned societies: Royal Asiatic Society and the American Oriental Society. She is a prolific writer and has written innumerable scholarly articles, and twenty books in French and in English.