Pratham Manabir Swar Therigatha

• Author: স্বাতী ঘোষ (Swati Ghosh)
• Publisher: Ananda Publishers
• Language: Bengali
• Edition: Hardcover
• ISBN: 9789354251979
• Pages: 200

Book Description:

থেরীগাথা (Therigatha) is a significant compilation of verses composed by Buddhist nuns (referred to as ‘থেরী’ in Pali) that reflect their spiritual journey. Included in the Buddhist scripture Tipitaka, the Therigatha is a collection of songs that provide an intimate, first-person account of their experiences in the path of renunciation, embracing the teachings of Gautama Buddha, and the transformative process they went through to attain spiritual realization.

The Therigatha consists of seventy poems composed in five hundred and twenty-two verses, offering insights into the emotional and spiritual life of Buddhist nuns. These verses speak not only of their personal experiences but also serve as a source of religious inspiration. The poems echo the individual voices of the nuns as they recount their struggles, moments of joy, and spiritual epiphanies, turning daily life into a reflection of Buddhist teachings.

This collection stands as one of the earliest expressions of female spiritual independence, becoming an early and powerful voice in the history of women's literature. It marks a profound journey where women’s personal experiences of spiritual awakening transcend personal identity, embodying universal values. Written over two thousand five hundred years ago, Therigatha remains a source of inspiration for those seeking peace, wisdom, and spiritual liberation.

About the Author:

স্বাতী ঘোষ (Swati Ghosh) is a prominent academician and writer. Born in Kolkata and raised in Dhanbad (now in Jharkhand), she completed her undergraduate studies in economics at Scottish Church College and went on to earn her MA and Ph.D. from the University of Kolkata. Currently serving as a professor of economics at Rabindra Bharati University, her academic work has earned her recognition both in India and abroad. She has also published books such as The Gendered Proletariat and contributed several articles to national and international journals, including works in both Bengali and English. She has translated notable works into Bengali as well.