Book Description

"Sarathi" which literally means charioteer, was written by my great grandfather Satyanath Borah B.L. It is an immortal literary work. All 34 essays in chaste Assamese transcend the boundaries of language, time and space. It stands as an eternal doctrine of morals and ethics required in life. The content in each of the essays is timeless and priceless for people universally. Yet the readership of "Sarathi" has remained confined only to the Assamese people for over a century. Though it deserved a worldwide readership, efforts to place the book on a global platform remained somehow elusive. "Sarathi" was first published in 1911. For decades together its essays have continued to be anthologized in the text books of educational institutions. But its immortal content has permeated beyond the classrooms to adorn the personal libraries of innumerable households and its copies are amply stacked in book stores even today. Thus with an aim to present the priceless content of this Assamese literary gem for a wider appreciation, "The Charioteer" has been created as a derivative work in English. It has been called a derivative work because it is not merely a literal translation of the Assamese text into English. "Sarathi" in its lucid elaboration of the ways to progress in the arduous journey of life without transgressing the ethics and morals, has made many references to ancient scriptures and epics of India as well as to the native customs and practices of Assam in particular. It was imperative to retain these references for preserving the essence of the book in this English adaptation. Explanations of the native customs and practices have been judiciously incorporated either in the main text or as footnotes.