sad new: Frits Staal

[George Thompson]

I send this note both to the Indology List and to the RISA list [with
apologies for cross-posting].

As one of Frits's students, I too was very saddened to read the email
from Michael Witzel informing us of Frits's passing.  I would like to
contribute an anecdote about Frits that highlights his generosity.

A few years ago when Frits returned to the USA to give a tour of
lectures in conjunction with the publication of his last book
*Discovering the Vedas,* I was invited to join a panel discussion at
Yale University to discuss Frits's famous and [for some] controversial
notion of "the meaninglessness of ritual."  When I arrived he greeted
me warmly [as always!] and introduced me to the other panelists, to
Phyllis Granoff [Frits's dear friend and the organizer of our
conference], and to everyone else who was present, whether or not
Frits actually knew them at all well himself.

After all of these pleasantries were completed, in due ritual fashion,
of course, Frits pulled me aside for a moment of private conversation.
 "Here," he said, as he picked up a big heavy object, wrapped
carefully in a lovely piece of Thai hand-woven cloth.   What was
wrapped in that cloth was a rare de luxe edition of Gordon Wasson's
famous book on Soma.  Frits told me that he had been giving away
portions of his personal library, some to friends and family, and some
to the Princess of Thailand, who was a Sanskrit scholar and a
supporter of Sanskrit scholars.  Frits wanted me to have this book for
two reasons.  First, he wanted to encourage me to pursue my Soma
researches.  He told me that he knew of no one who could make better
use of this book than I could [what a very kind compliment!].  Second,
he told me that the book might be valuable in the rare book market,
and that if I ever found myself in dire straits [very possible, in my
case!], I might be able to sell it for a lot of money.

Then he begged me not to tell him if I ever did sell this treasure,
and I promised him that I never would sell it.  And I won't.

I have given Frits some guru-daksinaa in a few published articles, one
about his work, and another on Soma, inspired by him.  But I have
received far more from him than I will ever be able to give back to
him.

To tell the truth, in the early days Frits and I fought a lot [mostly
because I was a rebellious brat].  But in these later days, we were
content to agree to disagree about those little things.  About the big
Vedic picture, we generally agreed.

He taught me well, and for that I hereby thank him.

Sincerely,

George Thompson

On Mon, Feb 20, 2012 at 10:56 AM, amba kulkarni <ambapradeep at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I was also introduced to Staal through his 'Euclid and Panini', which gave
> me a totally new perspective about Panini.
> Most of his articles served as bridges for students like us who did not have
> any formal training in Sanskrit shastras.
>
> I was also benefited personally when he accepted my invitation and delivered
> a distinguished lecture at the University
> of Hyderabad on 5th March 2008 on 'The Classification of Knowledge ACROSS
> THE CENTURIES'.
>
> This was the first distinguished lecture our department organised.
>
> May his soul rest in peace.
>
> regards,
> Amba Kulkarni
>
> आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वत: ll
> Let noble thoughts come to us from every side.
> - Rig Veda, I-89-i.
> Assoc Prof.  and Head
> Department of Sanskrit Studies
> University of Hyderabad
> Prof. C.R. Rao Road
> Hyderabad-500 046
>
> (91) 040 23133802(off)
>
> http://sanskrit.uohyd.ernet.in/scl
>
>
>
> On 20 February 2012 16:32, Dominik Wujastyk <wujastyk at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> I am very sad indeed to hear this.  May I join my voice to those of
>> others in saying what a huge and very original contribution Frits made
>> to our field, and how valuable his studies and example have been to me
>> personally.  His famous Euclid & Panini inaugural was a huge
>> inspiration to me early in my career, as I moved from the sciences to
>> Sanskrit studies.  Later, reading his works on vyakarana and nyaya was
>> also pivotal in opening up the treasures of India's linguistic
>> traditions.
>>
>> I am shocked by the news too, since Frits and I were corresponding by
>> email on the 20th and 21st of last month.  He told me of his illness,
>> but said the doctors were suggesting that he had several years yet
>> before him.
>>
>> I shall miss him.
>>
>> Best wishes to all,
>> Dominik
>>
>>
>> On 19/02/2012, Michael Witzel <witzel at fas.harvard.edu> wrote:
>> > Dear All,
>> >
>> > I just received the sad news that my old friend, the famous Indologist
>> > Frits
>> > Staal, has passed away peacefully, today Sunday 2/19/12, at his home in
>> > Chiangmai, Thailand.
>
>
>