Book Review of When Krishna was Cursed

 

I am a hardcore devotee of Sri Krishna and I pick up any book which is connected to the Lord. But honestly, it was the intriguing title which drew me to this book ‘When Krishna Was Cursed’ written by Rohan Vinayaa and published by Vishwakarma Publications. The evocative cover designed by the Book Baker’s design team was an added attraction. The author deftly meanders through the incident of Satrajit’s anger over the mysterious disappearance of his beloved younger brother and the invaluable Syamanthaka gem in the forest. The anger is directed at Sri Krishna, who had expressed a desire to use the gem for the benefit of the Yadava clan. Satrajit accuses Krishna of murder and theft. What follows is an interesting narrative of Krishna’s journey into the forest in an effort to clear his name.

The story is written in a gripping style, the language is simple and easy to understand and the author showcases his interest in Hindu Mythology.

My rating for this book is 5/5 and I would recommend it as an easy yet interesting read to everyone who has even a fleeting interest in Mythology.

The link to buy: https://www.amazon.in/When-Krishna-Cursed-Rohan-Vinayaa/dp/9390869536/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XBOYDQ9OOK9J&keywords=when+krishna+was+cursed&qid=1642509665&s=books&sprefix=When+Kri%2Cstripbooks%2C664&sr=1-1

#Krishna #The_Book_Bakers #curse #Mythology #When_Krishna_was_Cursed #Vishwakarma_Publications #BookReview #Rohan_Vinayaa,

The Tenth Riddle – A Book Review

 

BOOK: THE TENTH RIDDLE

AUTHOR: SAPAN SAXENA

PUBLISHER: LOCKSLEY HALL PUBLISHING

The Tenth Riddle by Sapan Saxena is a superb blend of crime, mystery and mythology. Three friends from different walks of life, Shakti, a local politician, Ishaan, a famous author and Showmik, Deputy Direction of IB, are drawn into solving the mystery of the death of the princess of Goner, Avni, on the very night of her coronation.  The case is old, but is brought to their notice by a woman named Naina Shukla from the NWC. There is a mysterious prophecy made up of ten riddles and the friends unravel the riddles one by one. The aesthetically designed cover is an added attraction, inviting one to buy the book. Once we delve into the book, we cannot put it down.

The author has beautifully woven ancient mythological tales with present day crime against women, which includes female foeticide, and has brought out a beautifully written novel. The characters are all well defined, and the language is simple and easy to follow while holding the attention of the reader throughout. I loved the way the different legendary tales of the Goddess are narrated through the voice of Ishaan, and the choice of the different names of the Goddess as Chapter titles is intriguing.

I would rate this book a perfect ten, and recommend it to readers of crime thrillers, as well as mythology. 

The link to buy: THE TENTH RIDDLE https://www.amazon.in/dp/8195405517/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_BEBFTN26CHY097X7YKGZ 

#TheTenthRiddle #Book #BookReview #SapanSaxena #crimethriller #mythology

A #Story for children from the #Ramayana on the Birth of Rama #ChildrenStories 2

Maharaja Dashrath, the King of Ayodhya, had everything that his heart desired, three beautiful wives, Kaushalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, wealth, prosperity and happy subjects. But he had no sons to continue his lineage. The King and his queens were worried about the future of the kingdom.

They went to their Kula Guru,Sage Vasishta.

“We have everything we want in the world, but we have no children to continue our lineage. I am not going to live forever. What will happen to the people of our Ayodhya?” asked the worried King.

Sage Vasishta advised, “You can perform the puthrakameshti yagna.”

 Maharaj Dashrath immediately agreed.

 “But,” pronounced Vasishta, “There is only one person who can guide you in perfoming this yagna, and that is Sage Rishyashringa.”

As Dashrath got ready for the journey, Vasishta told him, “You and your queens have to go on foot without any encumbrage to invite the Sage.”

Dashrath agreed and soon set out to meet Sage Rishyashringa. The Sage was pleased with the humility and respect shown by the king and agreed to do the Puthrakameshti Yagna.

At the culmination of the yagna, Agnidev appeared from the sacrificial fire with a pot of kheer in his hands. He gave the pot to King Dashrath and asked him to distribute it to his queens. 

Dashrath gave one part of the Kheer to Kaushalya, another to Kaikeyi and the remaining two parts to Sumitra. They returned to Ayodhya with hope in their heart and prayer on their lips. Within a few days, all the three queens became pregnant. 

Nine months later, the King became a father to four sons. In the month of Chaitra, on the Navami day, one son was born to Kaushalya, one to Kaikeyi and two to Sumitra. Entire Ayodhya joined the king and queens in rejoicing. During the naming ceremony, Kaushalya's son was named Rama. Kaikeyi's son was named Bharat and Sumitra's twins were named Lakshman and Shatrugna.

#Ramayana #Rama #Bharat #Lakshman #Shatrugna #BirthofRama

#Ayodhya #Dashrath #Kaushalya #Kaikeyi #Sumitra 

Mythological #Story of How Lord #Ganesha was born for #ChildrenStories 1

Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati lived happily in Kailas. One day when Shiva was away and Parvati was bathing in the stream, one of her friends remarked, “Shiva has Nandi as a guard. Why not have a guard solely for you?”

Parvati thought that it was a good idea as she did not want anyone to accidentally enter her abode when she was taking bath. So she took some wet turmeric in her hand and moulded it into the shape of a little boy. Then she breathed life into the image. The little boy came alive and fell at her feet. 

He asked “Mother, bless me to do whatever you want me to do.”

Parvathi lifted him up and hugged him in a tight embrace.

“Son, you have to guard my abode. Make sure that you do not allow anyone to enter without my permission.”

“Sure, I will, Mother,” replied the boy and took his place in front of the house.

Happy and secure in the thought that she had someone to take care of her needs exclusively, Parvati continued with her routine.

Time passed and Shiva returned. When he was about to enter, the boy stopped him.

“Please move aside and let me enter,” said Shiva.

“No. My mother has ordered me to not let anyone inside,” answered the boy.

Shiva tried to cajole and persuade the boy but to no avail. The boy stubbornly obstructed his way.

Becoming furious, Shiva ordered Nandi and the other Ganas to remove him from there. They picked up their weapons to fight, but the boy fought bravely and none of them could match his strength. He defeated all of them.

Shiva’s anger knew no bounds. He lifted his trident and cut off the boy’s head.

Hearing the commotion outside, Parvati came running outside. She was devastated to see her the lifeless form of her son.

“Do you know whom you have killed?” she cried. “He is our son. You have to bring him to life again.”

Shiva was moved by her profound grief and sorrow and asked his Ganas to search for the severed head of the boy which had been thrown too far away by the force of the trident. The Ganas could not find the head.

“You killed my son. Now you have to restore him,” demanded Parvati vehemently.

Knowing that time was the essence, Shiva after consulting Brahma, asked the Ganas to bring the head of the first living being that they came across  in the North direction. The Ganas found an elephant. They cut his head and brought it to Lord Shiva. Shiva joined the elephant head to the body of his slain son and made him alive. Parvati hugged her son in relief, but seeing his elephant head, she was concerned that everyone would make fun of him. To appease her, Shiva ordained that his son would be the leader of the Ganas and would be named Ganapati. He would be worshiped before the commencement of worship of any other God.

Thus was born Ganesha, the wise and mighty son of Shiva and Parvati.

 #birth_of_Ganesha #Mythology #Story_for_children #Shiva #Parvati