Thiruvananthapuram: Vedasabdaratnakaram, compiled by the late legendary IAS officer and scholar Dr. D. Babu Paul, stands as a milestone in Malayalam literature and spiritual scholarship. Widely acknowledged as the first comprehensive Bible dictionary in Malayalam, its origins are rooted in intellectual camaraderie and a deep personal loss.
A Conversation That Sparked Curiosity
The journey began in 1975 when Dr. Babu Paul was serving as the District Collector of Idukki and residing in Kottayam. During this time, he shared a warm personal friendship with K.T. Thomas, who was then a practicing advocate in Kottayam (and later elevated as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India).
During one of their regular weekend discussions, Advocate Thomas brought up Mark 14:51-52 and mentioned theologian William Barclay’s commentary—suggesting the verses were an autobiographical account by the Evangelist. Intrigued, Dr. Babu Paul acquired the complete Barclay commentary set from the CLS Book Depot in Thiruvalla. Barclay’s engaging writing style transformed Dr. Paul’s casual interest into a lifelong passion for biblical research.
From Intellectual Pursuit to Divine Calling
Dr. Paul gradually built an extensive personal library of commentaries, reference books, and translations, constantly discussing new insights with his father. While he initially harbored a vague wish to write a commentary blending Barclay’s style with an Indian perspective, he had no plans to create a full-fledged dictionary.
Everything changed following his father’s passing on November 22, 1987. In July 1988, his father appeared in a dream and urged him to undertake the creation of this landmark work.
Today, Vedasabdaratnakaram remains an indispensable reference book for researchers, theologians, and readers of Malayalam literature. The book continues to be accessible on online platforms such as Kerala Book Store and Amazon India.
