In presenting this rendering of the popular oriental tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Chora Chatvarimsi Katha) into the Sanskrit language, to the student-world, and to the reading public, Mr. Modak has given evidence of his mastery over the classical language of India and has vindicated the claim of Sanskrit as an instrument of expressing in an incisive manner the most modern as well as the most ancient ideas. In true oriental style, he has supplied the usual framework of the story- the fiction of a master inculcating a moral lesson upon his disciples by means of a story.
Another excellent feature – entirely an innovation of the author – is the introduction in proper places of epigrams and pithy sayings in verse form which give to the translation the appearance of an original work modelled on the pattern of the Hitopadesa or the Pancatantra. The Sanskrit language is unequalled in its power of concise metrical argument, and in its precision and adequacy as an instrument of expression. A lover of Sanskrit, therefore, will be delighted to read these pages which will not fail to give him the impression that he is not reading a translation at all, but an original tale in Sanskrit.
In the hands of Mr. Modak, the language becomes a wonderfully facile and fluid instrument of expressing the thought in the simplest and most natural way. The language is simple, flowing and chaste; and I make no doubt that the book will serve as an excellent Sanskrit text not only in the class but outside it. Even a student who has learnt just the bare elements of the language will be able to follow the story unaided – for if in places he will not understand the meaning of a word or an expression, yet the story interest will ensure that he journeys to the end.
(From the forward to the book by Shri N.G. Suru)
this type of book very imprtant to everybody. the books gives us so many tips forfuny life.
nice bookkkk……
Thanks for this.
This is great work. May it go on for wider varieties of books.
Please give details about Mr. Modak.This is a great work in classic literature.His language is very lucid style & very easy.
Manoj Kumar,
I do not have any information about GK Modak other than what is given in this book. You could post a query at Samskrita Google group (http://groups.google.com/group/samskrita) for help from Sanskrit scholars.
GK Modak was my great grandfather. A noted Scholar of his time.
Great! It would be nice if you could share any articles or info on his life and his contribution to Sanskrit.
its nice but i want this story in sanskrit and translated to hindi
it is a nice book