BOOK

The killing of Shishupala

Māgha, author, Dundas, Paul, 1952- editor, translator, Māgha. Śiśupālavadha

2017

Overview

Magha's The Killing of Shishupala, written in the seventh century, is a celebrated example of the Sanskrit genre known as mahākāvya, or great poem. This adaptation from the epic Mahābhārata tells the story of Shishupala, who disrupts Yudhishthira's coronation by refusing to honor Krishna, the king's principal ally and a manifestation of divinity. When Shishupala challenges Krishna to combat, he is immediately beheaded. Magha, who was likely a court poet in western India, draws on the rich stylistic resources of Sanskrit poetry to imbue his work with unparalleled sophistication. He expands the narrative's cosmic implications through elaborate depictions of the natural world and intense erotic sensuality, mixing myth and classical erudition with scenes of political debate and battlefield slaughter. Krishna is variously portrayed as refined prince, formidable warrior, and incarnation of the god Vishnu protecting the world from demonic threat. With this translation of The Killing of Shishupala, presented alongside the original text in Devanagari script, English readers for the first time gain access to a masterwork that has dazzled Indian audiences for a thousand years.-- Provided by publisher

• Publisher: Harvard University Press
• Subject: Krishna (Hindu deity) Poetry Early works to 1800. / Death Poetry Early works to 1800.
• ISBN: 9780674660397

Item info:

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Holdings :

Call Number	Copies	Material	Location
PK3798.M215 S513 2017	1	BOOK	AUTOSTORE