The Puranas and great Epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, have for centuries profoundly influenced Indian and life and culture. The various episodes therein are of very great significance. Sages and saints who wrote them were gifted with the rare power of anticipation of events to occur. A study of Epics, Puranas kindles hope in a person to hold up to Gods feet and obtain his guidance and help to enjoy a smooth journey through life. But it is to be noted that the great eighteen Mahapuranas alone consist of 3,71,000 Sanskrit verses approximately. The Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata consist of 24000 and one lakh Sanskrit verses respectively. To go through in to such a vast ocean of knowledge is not possible for a knowledge seeker or a layman. Hence Vettam Manis Puranic Encyclopaedia is a boon to all the people of the world. It took him five years for him to compile this great encyclopaedia. To provide such a comprehensive and well-nigh exhaustive book of study and reference with regard to episodes, incidents, characters occurring in the many Puranas and such other work in Sanskrit are a monumental task.Vettam Mani has successfully achieved his goal. The book in A4 size runs to 921 pages. All the subjects are arranged alphabetically. Culling out various facts from different Puranas, each subject is justified fully for its contents. Deep, extensive and exhaustive study, patient and untiring research are so very patent on every page of the book. Starting from A one may go in for any subject he wants to refer to. Arjuna, Abhimanyu, Brahma, Cyavana, Dhanurveda, Drona, Duryodhana, Ekavira, Ganapati,Hariscandra,Iravan, Jambavan ,Rama, Krishna, Viswamitra, Vyasa etc. The book covers well over 6000 topics. This is a must for all the libraries of the world.Every lover of learning and knowledge everywhere owes an eternal debt of gratitude to the compiler Vettam Mani. The book is published by Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited, Delhi, India |
