This review will look at the Parimal Publications edition of the RGVEDA SAMHITA, second revised edition 2001. But first, there are some things you should know.
--This is the UNABRIDGED, HARDBACK edition of the Rgveda.
--When you order this, you should be getting 4 books, because it consists of 4 volumes that are over 500 pages each.
--Although Amazon advertises an October 15, 2005 edition, the ISBN numbers match with what I have in my hand (the 2001 edition). Both agree that the ISBN number for the whole SET of books is 978-81-7110-138-2.
--These books contain the Sanskrit text, English Translation, Notes and Index of Verses. There is also a lengthy introduction at the beginning of the first volume.
--The Translation is based off of the H.H. Wilson edition, with the commentary of Sayana (Bhasya of Sayanacarya). Wilson was the first to translate the entire Rgveda into English in the late 1800s.
--Using the above as their source, this edition was put together by Ravi Prakash Arya and K.L. Joshi.
--This set of books can also be ordered from the publisher in India (Parimal Publications), which is how I got mine.
ADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
If you want an unbridged version of the Rigveda Samhita, in hardback and in modern-day English, this is the version to get. Below I will compare readings from the First Mandala, Anuvaka I, Sukta 1, Couplet 6.
The first example will be from the original HH Wilson edition, found here . . .
Rig-Veda-Sanhitá: A Collection of Ancient Hindu Hymns, Constituting the First Ashtaka, or Book, of the Rig-Veda; etc. Translated from the Original Sanskrit, by H. H. Wilson
"6. Whatever good thou mayest, AGNI, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, ANGIRAS, shall revert to thee."
======================
The second example is from the Ralph T.H. Griffith edition, found here . . .
The Rig Veda: Complete (Forgotten Books)
"6. Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshiper, That Angiras, is indeed thy truth."
======================
Finally, the edition I am reviewing reads like this . . .
"6. Whatever good you may, Agni, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, Angiras shall revert to you."
As you can see, this edition is very faithful to the original HH Wilson translation, the only difference being the use of modern-day English instead of "King James Bible"-style words like "thee", "thou", "didst" and so forth.
More advantages to this edition . . .
--Very detailed commentary after most of the couplets, pointing out etymology, textual variations and where else the couplet can be found. Even quotes translations of Hindu texts in German, French and Latin.
--Didn't notice a bias or agenda on the part of the editors regarding the commentary. For the most part it was straightforward.
--Although very "obscure" and difficult to read (see comments below), I would still take this version over the original Wilson and Griffith translations with the 1800s wording.
DISADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
Having already discussed the advantages to this edition, the primary area where this edition is lacking is in the SPELLING and GRAMMAR departments. In all my years of reading I have NEVER seen a book with such shoddy "editing".
Below is an example of the terrible spelling, taken from Volume 2, Mandala 3, Sukta 55, Couplet 3:
"3. Variously do my manifold desirs alight: present at th solemnity, I recite ancient (hymns): when the fire is kindled we speak indeed the truth, for great and unequalled is the might of the gods."
Below is an example of the terrible grammar, taken from the Introduction to the first Volume, page xx.
"Thus from the foregoing discussion it can unhesitatingly be inferred that the couplets or Chandas pronounced by various Vedic seers were the first literary items produced first ever in the literary history of mankind. The composers of the couplets, or the rsis as they were called were the first composers ever existed in the literary history of mankind."
That's not all . . .
--Each Anuvaka is introduced in big, bold, black letters. In Volume 3, 8th Mandala, it skips from Anuvaka 3 to 5. The text of Anuvaka 4 is there, but they left out the heading.
--In Volume 4, Anuvaka 8 in the 10th Mandala is listed TWICE.
--I'm not about to read all 2000 pages of the Rgveda again, but I do recall seeing a few cases where the font size changed! Usually, the font size of the couplets are about a 12 and the font size of the notes are about a 10. Sometimes I found that the font size of the couplets themselves were reduced to a size 10.
--Volume 1, which I only read once and with great care--is already falling apart. And I've certainly never seen this before, but it looks like the spines of the books are supported by zippers?! With all four volumes I feel like the first and last 50 pages are especially delicate, so I wouldn't recommend bending the spine at more than a 90 degree angle. I have bent the middle pages to an almost complete 180 degree angle without any fear of the book disintigrating.
--Just as disconcerting are the dozens of couplets that are "obscure" and "unintelligible". This of course is not the editor's fault, but I do find it interesting that parts of one of the "oldest religious texts" were found untranslatable/unreadable by the early scholars and commentators.
--Finally, if it's not the spelling, if it's not the grammar, it's the sheer number of Sanskrit words of gods and other nouns that will drive the average English-speaker to utter frustration with the Rgveda. You would think an unabridged set like this would have a nice glossary to explain terms like Agni, Indra, Brbu, Panis and Soma.
Unfortunately it doesn't.
OVERALL
If you are looking for an unabridged edition of the Rigveda, in plain English, but don't mind Sanskrit words and frequent spelling and grammatical errors, this edition is probably the "best" English-edition there is.
This fact doesn't speak very highly of Hinduism--I seriously felt like the publishers tossed this collection together for a quick buck instead of giving it the attention to detail that most other religious texts receive.
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Reviews with images
AN EDITOR'S WORST NIGHTMARE
This review will look at the Parimal Publications edition of the RGVEDA SAMHITA, second revised edition 2001. But first, there are some things you should know.--This is the UNABRIDGED, HARDBACK edition of the Rgveda.--When you order this, you should be getting 4 books, because it consists of 4 volumes that are over 500 pages each.--Although Amazon advertises an October 15, 2005 edition, the ISBN numbers match with what I have in my hand (the 2001 edition). Both agree that the ISBN number for the whole SET of books is 978-81-7110-138-2.--These books contain the Sanskrit text, English Translation, Notes and Index of Verses. There is also a lengthy introduction at the beginning of the first volume.--The Translation is based off of the H.H. Wilson edition, with the commentary of Sayana (Bhasya of Sayanacarya). Wilson was the first to translate the entire Rgveda into English in the late 1800s.--Using the above as their source, this edition was put together by Ravi Prakash Arya and K.L. Joshi.--This set of books can also be ordered from the publisher in India (Parimal Publications), which is how I got mine.ADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITIONIf you want an unbridged version of the Rigveda Samhita, in hardback and in modern-day English, this is the version to get. Below I will compare readings from the First Mandala, Anuvaka I, Sukta 1, Couplet 6.The first example will be from the original HH Wilson edition, found here . . .Rig-Veda-Sanhitá: A Collection of Ancient Hindu Hymns, Constituting the First Ashtaka, or Book, of the Rig-Veda; etc. Translated from the Original Sanskrit, by H. H. Wilson"6. Whatever good thou mayest, AGNI, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, ANGIRAS, shall revert to thee."======================The second example is from the Ralph T.H. Griffith edition, found here . . .The Rig Veda: Complete (Forgotten Books)"6. Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshiper, That Angiras, is indeed thy truth."======================Finally, the edition I am reviewing reads like this . . ."6. Whatever good you may, Agni, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, Angiras shall revert to you."As you can see, this edition is very faithful to the original HH Wilson translation, the only difference being the use of modern-day English instead of "King James Bible"-style words like "thee", "thou", "didst" and so forth.More advantages to this edition . . .--Very detailed commentary after most of the couplets, pointing out etymology, textual variations and where else the couplet can be found. Even quotes translations of Hindu texts in German, French and Latin.--Didn't notice a bias or agenda on the part of the editors regarding the commentary. For the most part it was straightforward.--Although very "obscure" and difficult to read (see comments below), I would still take this version over the original Wilson and Griffith translations with the 1800s wording.DISADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITIONHaving already discussed the advantages to this edition, the primary area where this edition is lacking is in the SPELLING and GRAMMAR departments. In all my years of reading I have NEVER seen a book with such shoddy "editing".Below is an example of the terrible spelling, taken from Volume 2, Mandala 3, Sukta 55, Couplet 3:"3. Variously do my manifold desirs alight: present at th solemnity, I recite ancient (hymns): when the fire is kindled we speak indeed the truth, for great and unequalled is the might of the gods."Below is an example of the terrible grammar, taken from the Introduction to the first Volume, page xx."Thus from the foregoing discussion it can unhesitatingly be inferred that the couplets or Chandas pronounced by various Vedic seers were the first literary items produced first ever in the literary history of mankind. The composers of the couplets, or the rsis as they were called were the first composers ever existed in the literary history of mankind."That's not all . . .--Each Anuvaka is introduced in big, bold, black letters. In Volume 3, 8th Mandala, it skips from Anuvaka 3 to 5. The text of Anuvaka 4 is there, but they left out the heading.--In Volume 4, Anuvaka 8 in the 10th Mandala is listed TWICE.--I'm not about to read all 2000 pages of the Rgveda again, but I do recall seeing a few cases where the font size changed! Usually, the font size of the couplets are about a 12 and the font size of the notes are about a 10. Sometimes I found that the font size of the couplets themselves were reduced to a size 10.--Volume 1, which I only read once and with great care--is already falling apart. And I've certainly never seen this before, but it looks like the spines of the books are supported by zippers?! With all four volumes I feel like the first and last 50 pages are especially delicate, so I wouldn't recommend bending the spine at more than a 90 degree angle. I have bent the middle pages to an almost complete 180 degree angle without any fear of the book disintigrating.--Just as disconcerting are the dozens of couplets that are "obscure" and "unintelligible". This of course is not the editor's fault, but I do find it interesting that parts of one of the "oldest religious texts" were found untranslatable/unreadable by the early scholars and commentators.--Finally, if it's not the spelling, if it's not the grammar, it's the sheer number of Sanskrit words of gods and other nouns that will drive the average English-speaker to utter frustration with the Rgveda. You would think an unabridged set like this would have a nice glossary to explain terms like Agni, Indra, Brbu, Panis and Soma.Unfortunately it doesn't.OVERALLIf you are looking for an unabridged edition of the Rigveda, in plain English, but don't mind Sanskrit words and frequent spelling and grammatical errors, this edition is probably the "best" English-edition there is.This fact doesn't speak very highly of Hinduism--I seriously felt like the publishers tossed this collection together for a quick buck instead of giving it the attention to detail that most other religious texts receive.
Top review from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2010
This review will look at the Parimal Publications edition of the RGVEDA SAMHITA, second revised edition 2001. But first, there are some things you should know.
--This is the UNABRIDGED, HARDBACK edition of the Rgveda.
--When you order this, you should be getting 4 books, because it consists of 4 volumes that are over 500 pages each.
--Although Amazon advertises an October 15, 2005 edition, the ISBN numbers match with what I have in my hand (the 2001 edition). Both agree that the ISBN number for the whole SET of books is 978-81-7110-138-2.
--These books contain the Sanskrit text, English Translation, Notes and Index of Verses. There is also a lengthy introduction at the beginning of the first volume.
--The Translation is based off of the H.H. Wilson edition, with the commentary of Sayana (Bhasya of Sayanacarya). Wilson was the first to translate the entire Rgveda into English in the late 1800s.
--Using the above as their source, this edition was put together by Ravi Prakash Arya and K.L. Joshi.
--This set of books can also be ordered from the publisher in India (Parimal Publications), which is how I got mine.
ADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
If you want an unbridged version of the Rigveda Samhita, in hardback and in modern-day English, this is the version to get. Below I will compare readings from the First Mandala, Anuvaka I, Sukta 1, Couplet 6.
The first example will be from the original HH Wilson edition, found here . . .
[[ASIN:1421266792 Rig-Veda-Sanhitá: A Collection of Ancient Hindu Hymns, Constituting the First Ashtaka, or Book, of the Rig-Veda; etc. Translated from the Original Sanskrit, by H. H. Wilson]]
"6. Whatever good thou mayest, AGNI, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, ANGIRAS, shall revert to thee."
======================
The second example is from the Ralph T.H. Griffith edition, found here . . .
[[ASIN:1605065803 The Rig Veda: Complete (Forgotten Books)]]
"6. Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshiper, That Angiras, is indeed thy truth."
======================
Finally, the edition I am reviewing reads like this . . .
"6. Whatever good you may, Agni, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, Angiras shall revert to you."
As you can see, this edition is very faithful to the original HH Wilson translation, the only difference being the use of modern-day English instead of "King James Bible"-style words like "thee", "thou", "didst" and so forth.
More advantages to this edition . . .
--Very detailed commentary after most of the couplets, pointing out etymology, textual variations and where else the couplet can be found. Even quotes translations of Hindu texts in German, French and Latin.
--Didn't notice a bias or agenda on the part of the editors regarding the commentary. For the most part it was straightforward.
--Although very "obscure" and difficult to read (see comments below), I would still take this version over the original Wilson and Griffith translations with the 1800s wording.
DISADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
Having already discussed the advantages to this edition, the primary area where this edition is lacking is in the SPELLING and GRAMMAR departments. In all my years of reading I have NEVER seen a book with such shoddy "editing".
Below is an example of the terrible spelling, taken from Volume 2, Mandala 3, Sukta 55, Couplet 3:
"3. Variously do my manifold desirs alight: present at th solemnity, I recite ancient (hymns): when the fire is kindled we speak indeed the truth, for great and unequalled is the might of the gods."
Below is an example of the terrible grammar, taken from the Introduction to the first Volume, page xx.
"Thus from the foregoing discussion it can unhesitatingly be inferred that the couplets or Chandas pronounced by various Vedic seers were the first literary items produced first ever in the literary history of mankind. The composers of the couplets, or the rsis as they were called were the first composers ever existed in the literary history of mankind."
That's not all . . .
--Each Anuvaka is introduced in big, bold, black letters. In Volume 3, 8th Mandala, it skips from Anuvaka 3 to 5. The text of Anuvaka 4 is there, but they left out the heading.
--In Volume 4, Anuvaka 8 in the 10th Mandala is listed TWICE.
--I'm not about to read all 2000 pages of the Rgveda again, but I do recall seeing a few cases where the font size changed! Usually, the font size of the couplets are about a 12 and the font size of the notes are about a 10. Sometimes I found that the font size of the couplets themselves were reduced to a size 10.
--Volume 1, which I only read once and with great care--is already falling apart. And I've certainly never seen this before, but it looks like the spines of the books are supported by zippers?! With all four volumes I feel like the first and last 50 pages are especially delicate, so I wouldn't recommend bending the spine at more than a 90 degree angle. I have bent the middle pages to an almost complete 180 degree angle without any fear of the book disintigrating.
--Just as disconcerting are the dozens of couplets that are "obscure" and "unintelligible". This of course is not the editor's fault, but I do find it interesting that parts of one of the "oldest religious texts" were found untranslatable/unreadable by the early scholars and commentators.
--Finally, if it's not the spelling, if it's not the grammar, it's the sheer number of Sanskrit words of gods and other nouns that will drive the average English-speaker to utter frustration with the Rgveda. You would think an unabridged set like this would have a nice glossary to explain terms like Agni, Indra, Brbu, Panis and Soma.
Unfortunately it doesn't.
OVERALL
If you are looking for an unabridged edition of the Rigveda, in plain English, but don't mind Sanskrit words and frequent spelling and grammatical errors, this edition is probably the "best" English-edition there is.
This fact doesn't speak very highly of Hinduism--I seriously felt like the publishers tossed this collection together for a quick buck instead of giving it the attention to detail that most other religious texts receive.
--This is the UNABRIDGED, HARDBACK edition of the Rgveda.
--When you order this, you should be getting 4 books, because it consists of 4 volumes that are over 500 pages each.
--Although Amazon advertises an October 15, 2005 edition, the ISBN numbers match with what I have in my hand (the 2001 edition). Both agree that the ISBN number for the whole SET of books is 978-81-7110-138-2.
--These books contain the Sanskrit text, English Translation, Notes and Index of Verses. There is also a lengthy introduction at the beginning of the first volume.
--The Translation is based off of the H.H. Wilson edition, with the commentary of Sayana (Bhasya of Sayanacarya). Wilson was the first to translate the entire Rgveda into English in the late 1800s.
--Using the above as their source, this edition was put together by Ravi Prakash Arya and K.L. Joshi.
--This set of books can also be ordered from the publisher in India (Parimal Publications), which is how I got mine.
ADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
If you want an unbridged version of the Rigveda Samhita, in hardback and in modern-day English, this is the version to get. Below I will compare readings from the First Mandala, Anuvaka I, Sukta 1, Couplet 6.
The first example will be from the original HH Wilson edition, found here . . .
[[ASIN:1421266792 Rig-Veda-Sanhitá: A Collection of Ancient Hindu Hymns, Constituting the First Ashtaka, or Book, of the Rig-Veda; etc. Translated from the Original Sanskrit, by H. H. Wilson]]
"6. Whatever good thou mayest, AGNI, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, ANGIRAS, shall revert to thee."
======================
The second example is from the Ralph T.H. Griffith edition, found here . . .
[[ASIN:1605065803 The Rig Veda: Complete (Forgotten Books)]]
"6. Whatever blessing, Agni, thou wilt grant unto thy worshiper, That Angiras, is indeed thy truth."
======================
Finally, the edition I am reviewing reads like this . . .
"6. Whatever good you may, Agni, bestow upon the giver (of the oblation), that verily, Angiras shall revert to you."
As you can see, this edition is very faithful to the original HH Wilson translation, the only difference being the use of modern-day English instead of "King James Bible"-style words like "thee", "thou", "didst" and so forth.
More advantages to this edition . . .
--Very detailed commentary after most of the couplets, pointing out etymology, textual variations and where else the couplet can be found. Even quotes translations of Hindu texts in German, French and Latin.
--Didn't notice a bias or agenda on the part of the editors regarding the commentary. For the most part it was straightforward.
--Although very "obscure" and difficult to read (see comments below), I would still take this version over the original Wilson and Griffith translations with the 1800s wording.
DISADVANTAGES TO THIS EDITION
Having already discussed the advantages to this edition, the primary area where this edition is lacking is in the SPELLING and GRAMMAR departments. In all my years of reading I have NEVER seen a book with such shoddy "editing".
Below is an example of the terrible spelling, taken from Volume 2, Mandala 3, Sukta 55, Couplet 3:
"3. Variously do my manifold desirs alight: present at th solemnity, I recite ancient (hymns): when the fire is kindled we speak indeed the truth, for great and unequalled is the might of the gods."
Below is an example of the terrible grammar, taken from the Introduction to the first Volume, page xx.
"Thus from the foregoing discussion it can unhesitatingly be inferred that the couplets or Chandas pronounced by various Vedic seers were the first literary items produced first ever in the literary history of mankind. The composers of the couplets, or the rsis as they were called were the first composers ever existed in the literary history of mankind."
That's not all . . .
--Each Anuvaka is introduced in big, bold, black letters. In Volume 3, 8th Mandala, it skips from Anuvaka 3 to 5. The text of Anuvaka 4 is there, but they left out the heading.
--In Volume 4, Anuvaka 8 in the 10th Mandala is listed TWICE.
--I'm not about to read all 2000 pages of the Rgveda again, but I do recall seeing a few cases where the font size changed! Usually, the font size of the couplets are about a 12 and the font size of the notes are about a 10. Sometimes I found that the font size of the couplets themselves were reduced to a size 10.
--Volume 1, which I only read once and with great care--is already falling apart. And I've certainly never seen this before, but it looks like the spines of the books are supported by zippers?! With all four volumes I feel like the first and last 50 pages are especially delicate, so I wouldn't recommend bending the spine at more than a 90 degree angle. I have bent the middle pages to an almost complete 180 degree angle without any fear of the book disintigrating.
--Just as disconcerting are the dozens of couplets that are "obscure" and "unintelligible". This of course is not the editor's fault, but I do find it interesting that parts of one of the "oldest religious texts" were found untranslatable/unreadable by the early scholars and commentators.
--Finally, if it's not the spelling, if it's not the grammar, it's the sheer number of Sanskrit words of gods and other nouns that will drive the average English-speaker to utter frustration with the Rgveda. You would think an unabridged set like this would have a nice glossary to explain terms like Agni, Indra, Brbu, Panis and Soma.
Unfortunately it doesn't.
OVERALL
If you are looking for an unabridged edition of the Rigveda, in plain English, but don't mind Sanskrit words and frequent spelling and grammatical errors, this edition is probably the "best" English-edition there is.
This fact doesn't speak very highly of Hinduism--I seriously felt like the publishers tossed this collection together for a quick buck instead of giving it the attention to detail that most other religious texts receive.
Images in this review
