Saraswati's intelligence by Vamsee Juluri

"Saraswati's intelligence" by  Vamsee Juluri - Original fiction of Hanuman. 

This book is published by  Westland in 2016 and has 327 pages. This is first Book of 'The Kishkindha chronicles'. 

It is the time before the time of man. Kishkindha has as not known conflict and bloodshed for years. Parama dharma is paramount. Hanuman is banished for Parama Dharma apachara. Vishwamitra is externally worried and senses danger from north.

Why was Hanuman banished? Why are Ganas of north threatened? What is the creature? Why does the creature has no 'balance'?

Author takes us into a time capsule. Age where all the beings lived in harmony. Everyone had a balance (read tail in modern terminology). Conflict, If it arose, was about coconuts and mangoes. Life was good. All beings were children of goddess Sawaswati. Saraswati's rules were sacrosanct. Sages like Vishwamitra and Vasishtha were the guiding lights of Kishkindha.

Hanuman is very brave, compassionate, wise and has a burning desire to learn. Vali is brave, valiant, has hubris. Sugreev is better than Vali in virtues but lacks his charisma and power. Vishwamitra has foresight, is friends with everyone and is respected by all. Princess Vaishnavi is beautiful, intelligent and is revered. All of them have a balance.

The story is a bit slower, but does nor drag. In addition to a fiction, author discusses a lot about what is dharma (do's and don'ts). He also discusses the sudden change that happens due to the creature. Peace loving Kishkindhans are forced into war. They haven't fought war for a generation. 

Although this is the story of Hanuman, its not a modern retelling of Ramayana. Ram doesn't even make an appearance. Neither Hanuman is Ram bhakta, nor is he a brahmachari. In fact, he is not what we know him, traditionally, to be. Author deserves credit for not turning it into an alternate Ramayan. He has created an original. Vamsee sees everything very differently, with a very unique perspective. This is the best thing about the book.

Author has given the map of the area. Initially I could not relate to it. When I turned it by 90 degrees, it started to make sense. Attractive book cover shows Gada holding Hanuman about to leap. It peaks the curiosity of buyer in the bookshop. Even the title makes one curious.

This is Book 1 of the series. It was published 2 years ago. Book 2 is still not published. I wonder why?

Why did I read this book? Book cover.  

What I didn't like? Pace: sometimes.

What did I like? Author's world. Originality

It's different. Don't miss it.