Yugant" (युगांत) by Vinod Gaikwad

"Yugant" (युगांत) a Marathi novel by Vinod Gaikwad.

This novel is written from the point of view of Bhishmacharya (भिष्माचार्य). Novel starts from the curse to Ganga (to be born on earth) and ends with the death of Bhishma.

The book is written in first person but the narrator keeps changing. First narration is by Ganga and is then taken over but Devavrat, Satyawati, Amba, Bhishma, Vidur and Krishna. Since every one knows the story, I will avoid synopsis.

Although it is the story of Bhishma it is not a retelling of Mahabharata, though Mahabharata is inseparable part of it. Kauravs and Pandavs enter when book is 80% over.

The Marathi used for this book is very refined, flowery, difficult and influenced by Sanskrit. Marathi lovers will enjoy reading this book for the language alone.

Bhishma is the central character of this book. Whatever he did is analyzed, explained and justified. His Bhishma Pratidnya (Terrible oath), his refusals to accept throne after deaths of Chitrangad (चित्रांगद) & Vichitavirya (विचित्रवीर्य), his refusal to impregnate Ambika & Ambalika, Draupadi vastraharan (वस्त्रहरण) and fighting final war on behalf of Kauravas are analyzed and justified.

However I felt that the author has fallen short while explaining why Bhishma remained silent during vastraharan (वस्त्रहरण) . The justification is neither satisfactory nor  elaborate enough. His siding with Kauravas should also have been elaborated further. I would have preferred if author had spent few pages for Bhishma's relationship and understanding with Krishna.

Some times a couple of modern words have slipped into the book thereby creating a sour note (रसभंग). The page space allocated to the period  from the birth of Kaurav and Pandav till the end of war of Kurukshetra seemed insufficient. This caused the author to fast forward incidents and miss some details. Although this book is 352 pages long, it should have been longer by @50 pages.

Character of Bhishma is very well presented. His power, bravery and knowledge, his sagacity, impartiality, his skills and foresight. His unimaginable sacrifice for his father and oath to relinquish claim to throne & of remaining unmarried. His mountain like resolve makes him unique. You can not help but admire him for willingly becoming a keeper of what was rightfully his (the throne of Hastinapur). And you can not help pity him for having to see the  destruction of all that he had strived to maintain and prosper and having to see the demise of his own clan.

A good book. Recommend reading.