Modern Maharshi Vyasa - Bibek Debroy & reminiscing his love for Mahabharata

 

 

I remember early days of writing my first book on Mahabharata. I have faced lots of self-doubts whether a girl pursuing a corporate career in the field of finance could still write a book on ancient literature and that too on a vast epic like Mahabharata. While I have been simmering into self-doubts, I came across a beautiful article on ancient literature. I read it and then threw a glance on the name of an author.

 

 

 

 

My eyes have been full of surprise while reading that name – It’s been Bibek Debroy. Of course, being professional in the field of finance, I not only knew this name but had lot of reverence for this name, as an economist. Until then, I did not know his contribution to ancient literature. After reading that article, it’s been surprising for me that this revered economist also has such a deep knowledge in ancient literature. Then I started to search more about his writings and came across his English translation of the unabridged version of the Mahabharata. After that all my self -doubts dissolved as I realized that it’s very much possible to balance both. Rather, I resolved that if this great economist could contribute so much to our ancient literature with his unique analytical insights, I should also do my bit.

 

 

 

After that, Bibek Debroy ‘sir’ as I call him, became my inspiration. I did finish my first book on Mahabharata and did get an opportunity to give a copy of the book to Bibek Debroy sir. Last year, he has been conferred with Sir Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar Memorial Award by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute. It’s been ‘Dugdha-Sharkara yoga’ for me. I have read my first version of complete Mahabharata in the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute as it’s been in the next lane of my workplace during article ship while pursuing chartered accountancy. As I have been working in Mumbai, I couldn’t witness this ‘Dugdha-Sharkara yoga’ of two institutions which have been my inspiration. But my father did attend it and gave a copy of my book on Mahabharata to Bibek Debroy sir. He wrote back me an email the very next day that he read it during his return flight. He appreciated it and motivated me for further writing.

 

 

 

Trust me, an appreciation and motivation from such a great person gives lot of inspiration. Most importantly, this great person has been an inspiration to many young authors like me who have been trying to explore ancient literature through their writings. He has generously inspired a new generation of the authors. He has been a man who read every book given to him and wrote his forwards for many books. He set a benchmark for young authors through his own writing works. It’s amazing how much a man can contribute to ancient literature in his life, that too while having a parallel life of a well -known economist. Bibek Debroy sir has translated the unabridged version of the Mahabharata into English, in a series of 10 volumes. He has also translated the Bhagavad Gita, the Harivamsa, the Vedas and Valmiki's Ramayana (in three volumes). He has translated the Bhagavata Purana (in three volumes), the Markandeya Purana (one volume), the Brahma Purana (two volumes), the Vishnu Purana (one volume), the Shiva Purana (three volumes) and the Brahmanda Purana (two volumes). His work of two more puranas has been in process when he passed away on 1st November.

 

 

 

Krishna Dwaipayana has been called as Maharshi Vyasa for his work of compilation of our ancient literature. It won’t be an exaggeration to call Bibel Debroy sir as modern Maharshi Vyasa for his work of not only compiling ancient literature but also adding analytical insights to it. Although he has left his mortal body, with his writing works, he would be ‘Cheeranjivi’ – an immortal. I pray to the divine that two of his material belongings also to be ‘cheeranjivi’ for generations to come – his specs that have analytical outlooks; and his pen that could write many books.

 

 

 

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