Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya by Vasudev Sharan Agarwal (1956), Sahitya Akademi Award

Vasudev Sharan Agarwal (1904–1966), an eminent Indian scholar of cultural history, Sanskrit, and Hindi literature, received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1956 for his prose commentary Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya (1955), a critical exegesis of Malik Muhammad Jayasi’s 16th-century Awadhi epic Padmavat. Published by Sahitya Sadan in Jhansi, this work exemplifies Agarwal’s erudition in unpacking the historical, cultural, and literary layers of Jayasi’s Sufi allegory. Agarwal, a professor at Benares Hindu University, brought his expertise in art, numismatics, and museology to enrich his analysis, making the commentary a bridge between medieval and modern Hindi scholarship. This review argues that Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya is a seminal contribution to Hindi literature, distinguished by its meticulous scholarship and cultural insights, though its dense academic style may limit its accessibility. By exploring its interpretive depth and historical significance, this review underscores the work’s enduring value in understanding Padmavat’s legacy.

Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya is a scholarly commentary on Jayasi’s Padmavat, a narrative poem that blends historical events with Sufi mysticism, recounting the tale of Rani Padmini, Raja Ratansen, and Sultan Alauddin Khilji. Agarwal’s work, spanning approximately 300 pages, provides a detailed textual analysis, historical context, and cultural interpretation of the epic, emphasizing its linguistic, philosophical, and socio-political dimensions. Published in Hindi, the commentary elucidates Jayasi’s Awadhi verses, making them accessible to modern readers while preserving their poetic essence.

Agarwal highlights the allegorical nature of Padmavat, as seen in his commentary on a key verse:

“Prem prakāsh, jyoṅ jyoti jalai, / Man mandir meṅ dīp balai”
(“Love’s radiance, like a flame that burns, / Lights a lamp in the heart’s temple”).

This excerpt underscores Jayasi’s Sufi theme of divine love, which Agarwal interprets as a metaphor for spiritual union. The commentary is structured systematically, with sections on textual variants, linguistic evolution, and historical parallels, such as the Rajput ethos and Delhi Sultanate dynamics. Agarwal also draws on Sanskrit and Persian sources to contextualize Jayasi’s syncretic vision, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the epic’s multifaceted narrative.

Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya excels in its rigorous scholarship and interdisciplinary approach, cementing Agarwal’s reputation as a polymath. His analysis is a masterclass in literary exegesis, deftly unraveling Jayasi’s complex imagery and Sufi symbolism. For example, Agarwal’s discussion of the parrot Hiraman’s role as a narrative device illuminates its symbolic significance as a mediator of divine wisdom, enriching readers’ appreciation of Jayasi’s craft. The commentary’s strength lies in its historical grounding, as Agarwal meticulously traces the socio-political milieu of 16th-century India, drawing parallels between Jayasi’s text and contemporary chronicles like Ain-i-Akbari. His use of Sanskrit grammatical frameworks, inspired by his work India as Known to Pāṇini, enhances the linguistic analysis, making it a valuable resource for scholars of Hindi and Awadhi literature.

However, the work’s dense prose and academic tone may deter casual readers. Agarwal’s extensive references to Sanskrit and Persian texts, while scholarly, can feel esoteric, limiting the commentary’s appeal to a niche audience. Additionally, the focus on historical and cultural minutiae occasionally overshadows Jayasi’s poetic beauty, reducing the emotional resonance of Padmavat’s lyrical passages. For instance, Agarwal’s analysis of Padmini’s characterization prioritizes historical accuracy over her symbolic role as an ideal of virtue, which might disappoint readers seeking a more literary interpretation.

In the context of Hindi literature, Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya holds a pivotal place as one of the earliest Sahitya Akademi Award-winning works in prose, alongside Makhanlal Chaturvedi’s Him Tarangini (1955). It elevated the status of literary criticism in Hindi, paving the way for later scholars like Hazari Prasad Dwivedi. Its publication by Sahitya Sadan and availability through archives like the Internet Archive attest to its enduring academic relevance. By bridging medieval Awadhi poetry with modern Hindi scholarship, Agarwal’s work remains a cornerstone for studying India’s syncretic literary traditions.

Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya is a monumental achievement in Hindi literary criticism, showcasing Vasudev Sharan Agarwal’s unparalleled scholarship and cultural insight. Its strengths lie in its meticulous analysis, historical depth, and interdisciplinary approach, though its academic density may not suit all readers. As a Sahitya Akademi Award-winning work, it occupies a vital space in Hindi literature, illuminating the complexities of Jayasi’s Padmavat and its socio-cultural significance. This reviewer recommends Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya to scholars, students, and enthusiasts of Hindi and Awadhi literature, particularly those interested in the intersection of history, mysticism, and poetry. Agarwal’s commentary continues to shine as a beacon of intellectual rigor, guiding readers through the luminous tapestry of Padmavat’s enduring legacy.

References: Agarwal, V. S. (1955). Padmavat Sanjivani Vyakhya. Jhansi: Sahitya Sadan.