2017, Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part C

author(s)
Santigopal Das

abstract
The ‘Modern Sanskrit story’ is a new concept of modern era. ‘Kathasahitya’ is an important matter in the writings of twentieth and post -twentieth century poets. Though there are many changes in ‘modern stories’ from traditional Sanskrit literature, it acquires new subject matter, new styles but it originated from ancient Vedic literature. Story of Sanskrit literature is called ‘Katha’. This ‘Katha’ literature was originated and developed before Christian era. In the different branches of twentieth and post twentieth century Sanskrit literature (Short story, Khanda kavya, Upanyasa etc.) there is a collaboration of tradition and modernity. We see in Rgveda ‘Manu-matsyakatha’, 'Vekasukta’, the story of Pani and Sarama, the story of a dog in Chhandagyopanisad, Yajnavalkya –Maitreyi samvada of Vrhadaranyokapanisad, the story of Yama and Naciketa in Kathopanisad, the story of a bird who gave golden eggs every day, the story of a clever jackal etc. We find in Mahabharata many fictions and narratives with main story. As for example we can mention the story of King ‘Yayati’, the story of Nala and Damayanti, the story of Savitri and Satyavana, the story of Janamejaya, the story of Rudra and Vinata, story of sea churning of Gods and demons. These types of fables, parables or moral narratives are almost everywhere in Mahabharata. Ramayana and Purana are sources of tales and narratives. In this aspect, we can mention Jataka and Avadana literature of Buddhist, Kathanaka literature of Jain.Vetala pancavimsati, Simhasanadvatrimsika, Sukasaptati of Chintamani, Purusapariksa of Vidyapati, Pancatantra of Visnusarma, Hitopadesa of Narayanasarma, Prabandhakosa of Rajasekhara, Pravandhacintamani of Merutunga, Kathakautuka of Sridhara, Bhojapravandha of Vallava etc. are examples of tales and fables of traditional Sanskrit literature. In this way through Rgveda, Brahmana, Upanisads, Puranas, Mahabharata, Ramayana, Vrhatkatha etc. Sanskrit stories transformed into a separate form of literature as Kathasahitya. In 19th century with translating works and other story creations of modern Poets enrich that and establish it on a perfect base of literature.