I started reading books/stories based on our Indian mythology with the Shiva Trilogy. As for Mahabharata, all I can associate with is the televised adaptation by B. R Chopra on Doordarshan in my younger days and stories about Krishna.
Mahabharata being a myth or history maybe a matter of one’s
perspective, but to me it is an epic. The ever numerous characters, their choices,
conflicts, complex relations, desires, morals, loss and gains and above all the
Godly Wisdom through the character Krishna. The story conveys very clearly that
every actions has its consequences, if not in this lifetime then several births
later. We are all accountable for our karma!
After having read this book,
I probably can say that there could not be any other book that puts the story
of Mahabharata so simply for everyone to understand. The author uses extremely
simple language and the numerous chapters that feels like short stories with
interesting illustration. The interpretation and explanations at the end of
every chapter make it even more interesting and connects the reader well with
the storyline. Again a must read, for sure.
I oscillate between
being a believer and a non-believer and this book doesn’t help me overcome this
conflict, but the two thing the book does convey is the complete authority of
the supreme power that controls the elements in this world and lastly that we
are accountable for our Karma either in this lifetime itself or future births.
Lord Krishna plays a
pivotal role in the whole story. This strange fact brings up a difficult
question in the reader's mind - to judge or not to judge God.
This version answers the conflict in a very consistent and satisfactory manner,
and that to me was the biggest plus for this book. Although abridged the author
has managed to squeeze in as much information as possible through stories on
smaller and non-central characters in the epic which was never known but who
has a part in the way things unfolded, this helps keep the interest of the
reader alive and connected well with the book. Another good thing about this
book is that the author has included in almost every chapter little anecdotes
about characters and events from various regional versions of the epic and
folklores. The author has also given his interpretations of a lot of events in
the book which build upon his central theme - the answer to the question - to
judge or not to judge God.
One excerpt that i really liked from the book about how the war was destined: Page 245(Illustration)
"In the Vishnu Purana, the earth goddess in the form of a cow complains to Vishnu that she has been milked so terribly by the greedy kings of the earth that her udders are sore. Vishnu promises to teach the greedy kings a lesson; as a lioness, the earth can drink their blood. Thus the battle at Kuru-kshetra is preordained by cosmic events. Its is a sacrifice to quench the thirst of the earth-goddess and restore the earth's splendour"
I recommend this book to all who those who have or haven't read Mahabharata. It is a good initiation and is a “Must-Have” book for one’s collection. I would rate the book 3.75 / 5.0
So, if you have even a slight interest in Indian mythology or confused as I am, lay your hands on this book! I can assure all that it’ll be a good treat you won’t ever regret. A sure complete page turner.
For details on the book: http://www.directtextbook.com/isbn/9780143104254
Outside of this book, i somehow feel that the so call "Kurukshetra" war could have been completely avoided if only a few people Lord Krishna, Bheeshma, Dridharashtra and a few would have talked and restrained when things were going out of control...
--------------------------------------------------------------------
#bookreview #booktoread #book #readinghabit #bookboost #jaya #DevduttPattanaik #LordKrishna #Hindumythology #Mahabaratha #Pandavas #Kauravas
No comments:
Post a Comment