Indian Tales and Legends by J. E. B. Gray
"Indian Tales and Legends" by J. E. B. Gray is a compilation of traditional stories from India, drawing from ancient texts written in Sanskrit and Pali, the classical languages of Hinduism and Buddhism. This collection features twenty-nine short tales, alongside notable episodes from the epic narratives of "The Mahabharata" and "The Ramayana." Through these stories, readers can gain insight into essential concepts such as transmigration and the caste system, which reflect the cultural and religious values of Indian society. The tales employ simple narratives to explore deeper moral themes, encouraging readers to reflect on higher values. Among the selections, readers will find episodes highlighting the hero Rama's journey in "The Ramayana" and the virtuous leadership of King Great Virtue from Buddhist traditions. Although the collection serves as an engaging introduction to Indian folklore, it requires readers to have some prior knowledge to fully appreciate the complex symbolism and cultural nuances embedded within the stories. The clear prose and thoughtful selection of tales make this compilation accessible for adolescents and others seeking to broaden their literary horizons.
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Subject Terms
Indian Tales and Legends by J. E. B. Gray
First published: 1961
Subjects: Animals, friendship, love and romance, religion, and social issues
Type of work: Short fiction
Recommended Ages: 15-18
Form and Content
Indian Tales and Legends offers insights into traditions from India using tales that originated in the East before the Christian era. According to J. E. B. Gray, the compiler of the collection, the sources for these stories were written Sanskrit and Pali, the classical languages of Brahmans and Buddhists, respectively. Consequently, these tales highlight the history, beliefs, and values of Hinduism and Buddhism. The collection includes twenty-nine short tales two to nine pages each) and three short tales from “The Vetala’s Stories.” Forming the centerpiece of the book are longer selections from the great epic The Mahabharata (in an episode entitled “Nala and Damayanti”) and six tales from The Ramayana. Transmigration (rebirth on Earth according to one’s deeds in a former existence) and the caste system (rigid barriers for marriage and social interaction set by Hindu society) are fundamental concepts reflected in the tales. Although the collection does not focus on a single theme, all the tales use relatively simple stories to direct readers’ thoughts to higher values. To highlight the collection’s style and content, summaries of three of the tales are offered here.
The Ramayana, one of the major epics of India, written in Sanskrit by the poet Valmiki in 300 b.c., is a long and intense love story focusing on the hero Rama and his unfailingly devoted wife, Sita. An understanding of Hindu ideals can be gained through the events of the epic. In Indian Tales and Legends, The Ramayana is presented in prose, with a series of only six episodes from the epic. In the first, Rama is given the task of conquering the demon Ravana and is married to Sita, who will be his lifelong companion. In later episodes, Rama is banished and tested with the disappearance of Sita. His task is difficult, even with the assistance of monkeys, who are the earthly forms of gods. Rama’s self-sacrifices allow him to meet the demands made of him and to overcome Ravana. He is installed as king, and Sita returns to a land “free of evil.” The epic ends with the words “He who reads or listens to this tale of Rama, composed in olden times by Valmiki, will be freed from sin. To him, prosperity and all good will come.
“King Great Virtue” is one of five Buddhist birth stories selected from the Pali Jatakas, which tell of former existences of the Buddha. Even as an infant, the young prince of Benares brought much happiness and was righteous; at the age of sixteen, he became ruler with the name King Great Virtue. He ruled wisely and well, but in time a banished former minister persuaded the king of Kosala to seize the kingdom of Benares. King Great Virtue and his ministers were captured, buried to their necks, and left for the jackals. The king, however, was not only virtuous but also brave and resourceful; he tricked the jackals, released himself and his ministers from the earth, and, with the help of demons whom he had counseled wisely, was transported to the rooms of the usurpers of his kingdom. The demonstration of his merits led King Great Virtue to regain his lands and save his people. “It was by fortitude alone,” the king mused at the end of the tale, “that I regained the splendour which I lost, and bestowed the gift of life upon my thousand ministers; truly, without ever losing hope, one should persevere, for the rewards of noble deeds bring true prosperity.”
“The Indian Jackal” is a short tale of a jackal who fell into a tub of indigo. With his newfound regal color, he sought to advance his position in life by spreading lies about his anointment by a forest goddess. He was revered for a time but treated his fellow jackals with contempt. Arranging a trick themselves, the other jackals waited until he was alone at night and enticed him to howl. The indigo jackal thus gave himself away as a mere jackal rather than royalty, and he was promptly killed by hungry tigers. The tale ends with a moral: “Such is the fate of a fool who deserts his own side and joins the enemy.”
Critical Context
J. E. B. Gray’s Indian Tales and Legends does not regularly appear on lists of books for adolescent readers. It is suitable for them, however, if they are interested in Indian traditions and tales. Additionally, the collection could serve as an introduction for individuals or in classes as a way of expanding their understanding of literature beyond the American and Northern European tales that are typical high school fare in the United States. Each of the tales can stand alone; readers can choose to sample only parts of the collection. As a whole, the collection illustrates well the style and content of Indian tales, which can be especially useful since the origin of many Western tales can be traced to India. Adolescent readers and their teachers should be aware, however, that the book includes only a single page of introduction to the collection. No comments or footnotes are offered for individual tales. Consequently, deeper understanding of the symbolism that underlies the surface of the stories requires that readers already have background knowledge or seek this knowledge from other sources.
As a translator, Gray was obviously careful in his work. The writing is clear, and sentences are usually simple, reflecting the voice of the storytellers who once shared these tales aloud. Occasionally, explanations of terms that might be unfamiliar to modern Western readers are woven into the stories themselves. Also, the names in the tales often include diacritical marks, such as Rāmāyana or Mahāi. More important, the collection includes a pronunciation guide, with example words. Much care was taken in selecting tales for this collection, allowing young adults to sample the variety and contrasts that pervade Indian tales—whether they are neophite explorers of the literature of a land previously unknown to them or more seasoned lovers of literature armed with the knowledge to understand Indian literature at a deeper level.