Menaka's choice by Kavita Kane

"Menaka's choice" by Kavita Kane. This book is published by Rupa Publications in 2016 and has 290 pages. This is Kavita's third book.

As the title suggests, this is the story of Menaka, the most beautiful celestial Apsara. An Apsara who dares to live and dares to marry against the law.

Indra feels very territorial about Menaka but she is in love with Vishwa Vasu, King of Gandharva's. He curses him to become Kabandh, a demon, and banishes him to earth on a flimsy pretext. Menaka is incensed and distraught but helpless. The tussel between Indra and Menaka is the main stay of first half and her torrid romance with Vishwamitra and then her choice forms second half of the book.

Author has tried to bring forth the plight of Apsaras, who were created to entice, seduce, dance and entertain in short creatures of pleasure. They were not supposed to develop feelings for anyone. Neither marriage nor children were for them. So despite living in heaven they lived a cursed life.

Menaka is most beautiful of the Apsaras, she is intelligent, quick thinker, confident and knows her craft very well. Despite being part of Indra's court she does not subjugate herself. She is feisty, fiercely loyal and ready to go to any length for her love and loved ones.

When Indra comes to take Menaka away from Vishwamitra, her arguments and subtle prodding and inciting fear in Indra to drive him towards decision she wanted is the high point of this book.

Author purports the theory that Menaka left Vishwamitra on her own accord, not because Shakuntala was born or because she wanted to return to heaven but because she felt guilty that Vishwamitra deviated from his goal of becoming Brahmarshi because of love and lust for her. She loved him so much that she let him go. It was a choice she made.

Since it's the story of Menaka, the most beautiful seductress, it has to be erotic. And so it is. But the romantic scenes are not vulgar.

Special mention should go to the book cover where a sensuous bare back Menaka is shown from behind.

Although this book is good, it is not as good as the two previous books of this author.

Recommend reading.

Kamadeva: The God of desire by Anuja Chandramouli

"Kamadeva: The God of desire" by Anuja Chandramouli. This book is published by Rupa publications India in 2014 and has 328 pages.

Kamadeva is the God born from Lord Brahma's desires and was assigned the department of desire, love and sex. He was  the most beautiful male in three universes. His consort Rati was most beautiful female.

In his attempt to help Deva's, he tried to hasten the union of Shiv and Parvati. Shiva opened his third eye and burned Kamadeva to ashes. What happens next? Can he be revived? Will he be?

The book is divided into two parts. First part is of Kamadeva and Rati with his sidekicks, their adventures and misadventures, curses and pranks, booze, love and sex, his friendship with Indra and Vasant, Kama and Rati's love. Finally his death by Shiva's third eye.

Second part is story of Pradyumna, son of Krishna who was Kama reborn, his abduction when infant and attempted murder by Shambara, his upbringing by Shambara's wife Mayawati, his fulfilling the prophecy and marrying Mayawati who was Rati reborn,  his life and eventual death with the Yadu clan.

Apart from the fact that Pradyumna and Maya were Kama and Rati reborn, these two stories have nothing in common. These two stories can even be considered two separate books.

The stories are good. Story telling style of Anuja is different. Really speaking very little is known about Kamadeva in mythology apart from his department, sugarcane bow, flower arrows and death by Shiva. Creating a big novel out of what little is known is not an easy feat. Author has done a decent job of it but even she had to take refuge of Pradyumna's story to make it sizable. In reality Pradyumna's story is more happening than Kamadeva's story.

Sometimes you wonder how much time the Gods spent in carnal pleasures and procreation while they were not aiding humanity or not playing politics.

I was not impressed by the cover of book. It could and should have been more beautiful, considering that it's the story of most beautiful male known.

Read it for a change.

The guardians of karma by Mohan Vizhakat

"The guardians of karma" by Mohan Vizhakat. This book is published by Shrishti publishers & distributers in 2013 and has 315 pages.

More than 10,000 years ago, global warming is causing increase in sea levels and landmasses & islands are going under water. There is a tension between Dev and Daitya empires. War is inevitable. Bhishma Monk (Warrior Monk) Hara and his guru Parashu, followers of the Bhishma order (An ancient order instituted by Ganga putra Bhishmacharya) are on a secret mission to the Daitya capital Atlantapuri and Tripura palaces.

What is the secret mission? Will the Bheeshma monks succeed? Will there be romance? What happens to Tripura and Atalantapuri? Who are Dev and Daitya?

Author calls this book, a mythological science fiction. And that it is. The concept that the ancient civilizations were more technologically advanced than today is not new. Author has used this concept and topped it with extraterrestrial presence, legend of Tripura, advanced weaponry like laser and atomic weapons, genetic engineering, spirituality, new extremist religion, karmic path and basic human emotions to weave a very interesting story. I would give full marks to author for thinking of and writing a mythological science fiction. All the magic and superpowers of Gods are shown as scientific advancement.

The legend of an advanced civilization prospering on an island that eventually went under water, destroying the civilization, appears in various countries. Atlantis in Greek mythology, Dwaraka in Indian mythology, Canoli in South American mythology all are based on same legend. Mohan has applied this legend to the mythological tale of Tripura in this book.

Characterization is good. Impact of global warming and increasing sea levels on human life is relevant even in today's time. The story drags on a few occasions but keeps you interested. Sometimes author could not resist the temptation of giving a sermon.

The book lunges into action from the first page without preamble. Character of the monk Hara is based on God Shankar and that of Uma on Parvati. Indra, Brahaspati, Vashishta, Prahlad, Mahishasur, Narakasur etc also make appearance.

The book cover is futuristic but it appears more like a comic cover. Could have been better. It's a book with small font. It must have reduced the number of pages by about 50.

It's a longish book based on a legend woven with mythology to create a science fiction.

Recommend reading.

Vishwamitra by Dr Vineet Aggarwal

"Vishwamitra" by Dr Vineet Aggarwal. This book is published by Penguin Metro Reads in 2014 and has 242 pages.

As the title suggests this is story of legendry Vishwamitra, the man who dared to challenge the Gods, who was born Kshatriya but had a burning desire to become a Brahmarshi.

His hatred for Vashishtha & Devas started from his defeat at the hands of celestial cow Nandini and later Brahmarshi Vashishtha as well as after the Indra-Menaka episode.

Character of Vishwamitra is full of contradictions. He is born Kshatriya but wanted to become Brahmarshi. He leaves material world for penance but falls for the carnal pleasures with Menaka. He is highly intelligent, creative and capable but acts irresponsibly. He achieves highest level spiritually but can not get rid of hatred. He hates Devas, but appeases them with Yagna and sacrifice. A very interesting personality.

Author has used up a lot of page space until Vishwamirtra renounces his kingdome to start his penance. Episode with Menaka is written realistically and is probably the best part of the book. Final transformation of Vishwamitra from a person who wants to avenge Vashishtha to a person who repents happens too suddenly. Author could have spent a few more pages for this part.

Author has narrated the tale in the fashion of historical account rather than a fiction novel. He has also used modern language and scientific terminologies in the book, to explain mystic powers, that did not exist in those times, so the ancient atmosphere is disturbed.

Cover design of the book is good. It shows Vishwamitra in the process of creating new world for Trishanku. But six packs of Vishwamitra are not clearly evident, they should have been prominent (Painters error?).

An OK book. Read if you have time.

Ten Kings by Ashok K. Banker

"Ten Kings" by Ashok K. Banker. This book is published by Amaryllis in Aug 2014 and has 340 pages. This book has its origins in Rigved. The war happened more than 4000 years ago.

Sudas was the king of tribe Trtsu Bharata. He ruled area of five rivers, today's Punjab. His kingdome was on the river Parusni. He was advised by Guru Vashistha. Anu was the king of Anu tribe (another Bharata tribe) who shared space with Trtsu Bharatas on Parusni river (today's Ravi) and had an uneasy relationship with Trtsu Bharata over sharing of river Parusni. Vishwamitra was the Guru of Anu's. He was also half brother of Sudevi, Sudas' wife. Indra was patron god of all Bharata tribes.

Anu forms an alliance with five other kings from Bharat Varsha and four foreign kings and these Ten Kings (Dasarajna - दशराजन्) decide to annihilate Trtsu Bharata tribe and plunder the spoils. These Ten Kings are: Anu, Alinas, Puru, Bhrigu, Druhyu, Bhalana, Dasya, Matsya, Parsu & Pani. Last four are Mleccha (Barbaric foreigners) who came from Pariyatra Parvat Pass (called Khayber pass today). Odds are stacked decisively against Sudas. His army of less than 500 is outnumbered by the Ten Kings army of Six thousand, which actually turn out to be more than 30,000.

Sudas decides to fight the battle for his dream of united Bharat Varsh (भारत वर्ष) on the banks of Parusni river on a stormy day. His only hope is advice of Guru Vashishtha, strategy, bravery, element of surprise and weather. How many hours can Sudas sustain? Will he survive? Will he retain his honor? Who will win? Does the thunder god Indra and rain good Varun help him?

Sudas fights valiantly. His men support his trust in them. They use the terrain to their advantage. They use natural resources to their advantage. They employ psychological warfare. They use weather to their advantage. (Did you think of 'Art of war' by Tsun Tzu? This was much before him.) Trtsu achieve impossible feat through determination, bravery and trust in their king and Guru. It also underlines the fact that ancient Indians possessed the knowledge to make use of elements through the study of mathematics, science, geography, almanac and astronomy.

It was probably the first ever war fought with iron weapons. Opposition considered them godly weapons (दैवी अस्त्र) handed over to Trtsu by Indra himself. Weather played an important part in the war, again considered intervention by Gods. It was a war of Sudas Vs Ten Kings, Good Vs Evil, Vashistha Vs Vishwamitra, Civility Vs Barbarism.

Emperor Sudas established a city after winning the war. A city distinguished by greatly advanced civic and social development. This city is HARAPPA of Indus Valley Civilization. Emperor Sudas can thus be termed as founding Father of Bharat.

All counting in this book is in scores (1 score = 20 numbers). He has successfully created an atmosphere of more than 4000 years ago. The description of war and tactics is vivid. You can actually visualize the war and positions of the armies. Kudos to the author for writing this tantalizing historical fiction based on just two verses from 7th mandala of Rigved and archeological findings. It's neither pure history not pure fiction. Author calls it historical fiction. This book can be made into a riveting film.

Why is this story so significant? Because this battle can be considered first known invasion of India. Had the Ten Kings won, we might have been ruled by tribes from Iran, Syria, Afghanistan and European steppes today.

An excellent book. A must read.