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A Bird Bereaved: The Identity and Significance of Valmiki's Kraunca
| Title: | A Bird Bereaved: The Identity and Significance of Valmiki's Kraunca
| | Author: | Leslie J. | | Publication: | Journal of Indian Philosophy / Kluwer Academic Publishers | | Enumeration: | vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 455-487, October 1998 | | Abstract: | The key event at the start of the Sanskrit Ramayana attributed to Valmiki is the death of a bird at the hands of a hunter. In Sanskrit, that bird is termed krauńca. Various identifications have been offered in the past but uncertainty persists. Focusing on the text of the critical edition and drawing on ornithological data regarding the birds commonly suggested, this article establishes beyond doubt that Valmiki's `krauńca bird' is the Indian Sarus Crane. It then considers a key verse in the southern recension, omitted by the editors of the critical edition, which supports this identification. Finally, the article explores the significance of the Indian Sarus Crane for the epic scene. Source of Abstract: Provided by Publisher | | See Also: | | Tools: |
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