A History of Indian Literature v1.c9.s4.33

v1.c9.s4.33

Since the year 1819 when Franz Bopp first published this poem of King Nala, together with a Latin translation, it is recognised as one of the gems of Indian literature, nay more, as one of the gems of universal literature. Bopp's edition and translation of the poem was welcomed by A. W. v. Schlegel¹ with the words: "I will only say that, in my estimation, this poem can hardly be surpassed in pathos and ethos, in the enthralling force and tenderness of the sentiments. It is made expressly to attract old and young, the high-born and the lowly, the connoisseurs and those who are merely guided by instinct. Also, the fairy-tale is tremendously popular in India,......there the courageous constancy and devotion of Damayantī is equally famous as that of Penelope amongst us; and in Europe, the gathering-place of the productions of all continents and all ages, it deserves to become equally so." And indeed it has become so. The German poet Friedrich Rückert, that past master in the art of translation, rendered the poem into German verse in the year 1828² with his incomparable talent, making it as popular in Germany as it has become famous in England by means of Dean H. H. Milman’s version.¹