Rudragatha (रूद्रगाथा) by Sahitya Sagar Pandey

"Rudragatha (रूद्रगाथा)", a Hindi book by Sahitya Sagar Pandey - Good one!

This book is published by Redgrab books in 2018 and has 240 pages.

Book starts with an intense war between 8 lakh soldiers of Karnadhwaj, King of Veerbhumi kingdom, and 5 lakh soldiers of army of Rudra. When the war reaches its pinnacle, story jumps into flash back. 

Son of an upright Brahmin, exiled from Veerbhumi kingdom, for speaking against unjust tax rules, Rudra is a strapping youth who is equally adept in books (tutored by his father) and weapons (tutored by his Kshatriya kaka). His favourite weapon double bladed axe (फरसा or परशु).

How does a brahmin become the leader of an army? Why is he revered? What terrible oath does he take? Why? Does he succeed? What does he lose?

Rudra takes a terrible oath of revenge. The book reveals the reason of the oath at the end, but smart readers can guess it easily. He completes his oath, but at what cost? Does it give him peace?

Rudra collects friends like Vinayak, Viplav, Kaustubh and followers like Pratap. He is an inspiration to the downtrodden. He is strong, handsome, thoughtful, fierce, brave and just. 

The story has war, war tactics and formations (व्यूह). Wars are integral part of the story. They could have been made more interesting. There is even a fight between man and tiger to save damsel in distress. 

Rudra's character appears to be based on various Indian personalities. He is like Parshuram, wielding Parshu and killing adharmi Kshatriya kings. He is like Arjun, who rues loss of loved ones while completing his oath. He is like Samrat Ashok who asks himself 'was it worth'?

Why does kaka leave Rudra? They don't fight, they have no disagreement. They live rach other. Reader doesn't get the answer to this question till the end. It is unconceivable that a person is your good friend and either you don't know his name or he doesn't tell it to you. This mystery remains unsolved. 

Author has created a good story. The flow is good. The pace doesn't slow down. Reader remains with the story. The book ends with a big twist. A twist that you can't imagine. This has to be the preamble to a sequel.

It was good to read a Hindi book after years.

Why did I read this book? Hindi, for a change. 

What did I like? Story, ending.

What I didn't like? Some things could have been more interesting or entertaining. 

Recommend reading, if you don't mind Hindi.