By K.M Munshi
Genre: MythologySIZZLER
The Book Club Rating : 5 Stars
Krishnavatara is a 7-volume reconstruction of Krishna's life and adventures by weaving a romance around him. Wise ad valorous, he was, loving and loved, far-seeing and yet living for the moment, gifted with sage-like detachment and yet intensely human; the diplomat, the sage and the man of action with a personality as luminous as that of a divinity. The first part, which ends with the death of Kamsa has been named The Magic Flute, for it deals with his boyhood associated with the flute, which hypnotized men, animals and birds alike, sung with such loving tenderness y innumerable poets. The second volume, which ends with Rukmini Haran, is named as The Wrath of an Emperor, as the central theme is the successful defiance by Sri Krishna of Jarasandha, the Emperor of Magadha. The third part is entitled The Five Brothers and ends with Draupadi's Swayamvara. The Fourth is titled The Book of Bhima, Fifth part The Book of Satyabhaama, the sixth volume The Book of Vyaasa, the Master. The seventh and concluding volume, incorporating 7th part and unfinished 8th part, is titled The Book of Yudhishthira.
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Krishnavatra series by K.M. Munshi were some of the earliest books that I read. My passion for reading was kick-started by these books. I borrowed them from my grandfather who was only too happy to lend them to someone who shared his own passion for reading.
Munshi has humanized Krishna as much as possible in these series but yet has maintained an aura of mystique that will make you adore his Godliness while it is juxtaposed with normal human-like behaviour.
The first part Magic Flute is where he gives you the wonderful background story of Krishna’s ancestors and we learn about Yadavas in general and their very many clans. Krishna and his elder brother Balarama are spirited away from Mathura right after their birth and the miraculous happenings that aid their escape are toned down.
Krishna grows up in Gokul and the so-called demons and asuras that Kamsa sends in to kill him turn out to be assassins. I was particularly touched by Putana’s death and her redemption and the guilt that she felt for killing scores of innocent children.
Munshi has humanized Krishna as much as possible in these series but yet has maintained an aura of mystique that will make you adore his Godliness while it is juxtaposed with normal human-like behaviour.
The first part Magic Flute is where he gives you the wonderful background story of Krishna’s ancestors and we learn about Yadavas in general and their very many clans. Krishna and his elder brother Balarama are spirited away from Mathura right after their birth and the miraculous happenings that aid their escape are toned down.
Krishna grows up in Gokul and the so-called demons and asuras that Kamsa sends in to kill him turn out to be assassins. I was particularly touched by Putana’s death and her redemption and the guilt that she felt for killing scores of innocent children.
Publisher: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan/Mumbai/India; 11th reprint edition (19 August 2012)
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