Shuksaptati by Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri [Hardcover]

"In Sanskrit literature, Shukashaptati may not hold the same classical significance as other works, yet this collection of narratives, attributed to the Brahmin thinker Chintamani Bhatta, has remained equally popular from the twelfth century to the present day. The brilliance of its storytelling elevates Shukashaptati to a unique level. At the heart of its seventy compiled stories is a parrot, which serves as the narrator. However, its role is not merely that of a passive storyteller—it becomes an active character within the social and domestic settings depicted in the tales.

Aside from occasional advice about adhering to the righteous path, Shukashaptati is largely filled with accounts of illicit desires and indulgences. Yet, the primary purpose of these stories is not to glorify sensuality. Rather, it is astonishing to consider how such narratives emerged in a society where women had no independence at any stage—whether in youth, adulthood, or old age. This paradox is both strange and fascinating, a strategic interplay of reality and contradiction.

The central premise is intriguing: in the prolonged absence of her husband, a wife is deterred from potential misconduct by listening to tales of morally fallen women. However, these depictions of transgression do not leave a lasting moral stain on the reader’s mind. Instead, the cleverness of the storytelling and the humorous conclusions captivate the audience. Rather than condemning the narratives, readers find themselves drawn to them, eager to read more. It is in this timeless appeal that the enduring significance of these ancient tales lies."