Question

Which of the following are recognized as famous and major editions or recensions (Sanskaranani) of the Valmiki Ramayana?
A. Bombay and Baroda (Southern/Critical)
B. Madras (Southern)
C. Bengali (Northeastern)
D. Rajasthani (Western)
E. Kashmiri (Northwestern)

• A. A, B, C, D, E
• B. E, D, C, B, A
• C. B, A, C, D, E
• D. C, D, B, E, A

Hint:

To remember the Ramayana recensions, think of the geographical triangle: South (Bombay), East (Bengali), and Northwest (Kashmiri). These three are the primary sources for any scientific study of the epic's history.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The Valmiki Ramayana was transmitted orally for centuries before being written down, leading to the development of various regional versions known as Recensions or Sanskaranas. Textual critics, notably H. Jacobi and later the scholars at the Oriental Institute of Baroda, identified major geographical groupings of these manuscripts based on their shared linguistic features, verse arrangements, and minor plot variations. These recensions are broadly classified into the Northern and Southern groups, with further subdivisions.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The three pillars of Ramayana textual criticism are:
1. Southern Recension (A): This is the most standardized and widely known version. The Bombay Edition (Nirnayasagar Press) is the traditional standard. The Baroda Edition represents the Critical Edition, which synthesized thousands of manuscripts to reconstruct the most authentic text. This recension is known for its detailed descriptions and conservative preservation of verses.
2. Northeastern/Bengali Recension (C): This version was identified in the eastern parts of India. It contains many unique verses and sometimes a different arrangement of the Kandas. It was extensively studied by scholars like Gorresio and Schlegel.
3. Northwestern/Kashmiri Recension (E): This version is found in the northern and western regions, particularly in Kashmir. It is often considered to have the most archaic phonetic and grammatical features.
While Madras (B) has local printings, they are essentially part of the larger Southern group. Similarly, Rajasthani (D) manuscripts are generally categorized under the Western/Northwestern branch. Traditionally, in the study of Puranetihas, the Bombay (South), Bengali (East), and Kashmiri (Northwest) are considered the three canonical "Major" recensions. Option (1) correctly captures this triad.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The recognized major recensions are Bombay/Baroda, Bengali, and Kashmiri.