India Authentic 1: The Book of Shiva

Deepak Chopra Presents India Authentic #1

by Saurav Mohapatra, Deepak Chopra

There exists a world beyond our mortal comprehension that tells the story of life before man. These are stories of the gods and goddesses who reign over humanity and wield the forces of the Universe. These are the stories that lay the foundations of a country a billion strong. These are the stories of INDIA AUTHENTIC. Deepak Chopra presents the tales of the immortal gods: Indra, Kaali, Ganesha, Uma and Shiva, whose stories are not mere fairy-tales but lessons in understanding one's own existence. Read the legends created before legends even existed, the legends that are authentically India...

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Mythology, Graphic Novels Comics, Fantasy, Religion, India

Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Namratha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in this series begins, appropriately enough, with Lord Ganesha. His origin story is poignantly entwined with the adage that “elephants never forget” and it can’t fail to leave an emotional knot in your throat.

We then move on the fierce and fabulous Goddess Kali. The artwork here is especially beautiful and hits you in the solar plexus with an aplomb which Kali maa would appreciate. As she does her dance of chaos and vengeance, decimating the baddies with barely an effort and still cannot be restrained, it falls upon Lord Shiva, her consort and soulmate to call back his powerful wife, the gentle all-mother Uma. This scene is particularly beautiful and soul-wrenching.

The volume progresses to the Origin Story of Lord Indra. Whatever glimpses that we have had till now of the King of Devas have been of a powerful, impulsive being who while being undeniably a leader, is also driven by many human flaws. And I guess that’s what makes this glimpse into his origins all the more compelling. My favourite line here was “All hail me as the slayer of the serpent, the most mighty amongst the Pantheon. Still, I know who I serve. I would trade all my divinity but for a mere wisp of his humanity.”

And now we meet Mother Uma, the all-knowing primal force of feminine energy. She gave her life up as Sati, plunging Lord Shiva into a state of detached meditation. Reborn as Uma, daughter of a father who respected her wishes, she seeks to reunite with her soulmate and a tenuous journey it is indeed.

Finally, we encounter the mighty blue ascetic himself, Lord Shiva. He truly personifies what Spiderman was always told, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The tale of how he inhales the dreaded poison Halahal and saved the Universe is told here. But beyond that, it is a small tale of a big man, a god who is mighty beyond words, a celestial tour de force who has the power to unleash complete devastation but who is wise enough to know that a fine line exists between power and responsibility and knowing this, has the seamless will to tread a path of his own and find himself.

[Kumar K · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was impressed with half of the book. Since these are myths, trying to be told as they were in their poems, they aren't going to read like superhero stories or modern stories at all. Don't expect that. The author succeeded in making them interesting and the drawings are good, though, only half the time. But the other 2 stories are riddled with just philosophical talk seen with pictures and a very short story. There is one corny story that involves Shiva and his wife, though it doesn't even get to a climax, they just have the Indian equivalent of cupid fire and arrow at him so that he accepts his girlfriend. In between the stories, there are paragraphs of interpretation of myths, but this is commonly found on the internet, so it's nothing special.

[Arun Divakar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even though the artwork on the cover catches your eye, this series is not what you think of it. Indian mythology can be by turns exciting,dark and erotic. This series except for a few good ones fall prey to what many of its predecessors did : going down the way of being a tale with morals.

This is in many ways akin to the culture promulgated in India to play the entirety of epics as pure black and white. The stories however are far from these monochrome colors. Needless to say, this series fails to capture the soul on Indian Mythology.

There is only one exception, the tale of Kali. This was the only whiff of fresh air in this entire book.

[Brian Ritchie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The volume gets five stars for trying + the presentation and interpretation of hindu theology and mythology in a much more consumer friendly, modern way.

While it does stretch a little too far - I'm personally quite comfortable tolerating it given the fact that no one else has bothered to tackle this niche.

Kudos and am looking forward to more soon

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a visual person and I found this graphic portrayal really helpful to better grasp the different incarnations and relationships between the gods and goddesses of the complex Hindu pantheon. Volume 1 includes origin stories of Ganesha, Kali, Indra, Uma, and Shiva, each with a thoughtful foreward by Deepak Chopra.

[Sonnet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art with engaging myths.

[Viveka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous colors!

[Hrishabh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the artwork the way the stories are portrayed especially Ganesha.

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all it may be Deepak Chopra's name on the cover but he has almost nothing to do with the book, maybe just the introduction to each Myth and the book or the editor. Now coming to this first volume of three parter Myths of India series, this has 5 myths of stories and it appropriately starts with the story of Lord Ganesha, after that the stories of Kali, Indra, Uma and Lord Shiva.

The stories are done with a grandiose style with wonderful illustrations with sparistic words which work well at least for me because the illustrations again are just wonderful and words are there where they are required but they are on the minimal side. Each myth starts with a description by Deepak Chopra. As an Indian few of details were already known to be as absorbed throughout my life via different mediums but still there were few new details and different twists to make a different story.

I liked the book for the illustrations and the text, get it yourself and find what you like about it and then just Keep on Reading.

My dream of being a writer is realized and I am now a Goodreads Author. I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. Doga is one of my most favorite character and I love him to bits and don't leave any chance to devour any of his stories. So here goes again my mission to read as many Raj comics from the beginning. My childhood re-run. I love reading this and more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Laura Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations and interesting reletellings of Hindu myth centring around Shiva, with each chapter dedicated to a different deity. Storywise, this started strongly but ended with a fizzle rather than a bang, and I unfortunately found the Shiva chapter the most boring of them all. Still, worth a read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made Hindu mythology more approachable, which is what I think it was intended to do. I don't think I had heard the idea of the gods as being archetypes within us that we can aspire to. I like that idea, but its also disturbing to admit that we have all these potentials within us, even the "not so good" ones. It definitely makes polytheism more interesting, and explains the confusing mess of names attributed to one "god."

There are some things here that cross over to Egyptian mythology, though this may be more a reflection of the time period they both were born in, than actually influencing each other.

[Rohit Raut · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic, beautifully drawn, and epic look at one of the most enigmatic personalities in the Hindu Pantheon of Gods, The Book Of Shiva tells the tale of the Destroyer of Worlds.

Everyone who has grown up in a Hindu household has heard the stories of how Shiva grew from his humble beginnings as an ascetic to a destructive force feared by the gods, and it is fascinating to see how the artists have brought colossal events, such as the Samudramanthan to life.

Featuring an insightful foreword as always by Deepak Chopra, The Book of Shiva, and indeed the India Authentic series as a whole is recommended reading for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the legend of the Hindu deities.

[Chanakya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting art, some of which is pure visual delight: like the piece on Kali and to some degrees the one on Shiva. While some of it was still a hark back to Amar Chitra Katha of yore. In fact aside from the art there is not much to bite into, all 5 pieces introduces a single idea apiece and sticks to it without complicating it in anyway or countering it. Overall it's hardly a stone's throw away from ACK in terms of evolution in art or storytelling, or what stories they offer.
Lastly, what is Indra doing in "the book of Shiva"?

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This comic was visually very beautiful and features some lovely retelling of Hindu myths and legends. That's pretty cool. I'm always a sucker for myths and legends made into comics. That being said, the writing of the comics themselves (not Deepak Chopra's intros, they were great) was a bit clunky and had a bit too many exclamation points. The kind of writing that tries to make you take something REALLY SERIOUSLY but ends up being a bit overblown. Maybe this is called bathos? It was fun and there were some great setpiece images like those of Kali and Shiva, but I probably won't pick up Vol 2.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful, vivid, lush artwork tell violent, emotional, moralistic tales of vengeance, love, compassion, survival and the human condition. While I’m not a fan of Deepak Chopra, I appreciate how he relates the stories to our current state of being, how, as a society, we need to bring it back to the middle.

[Collin Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the stories have been boiled down to their very core, it is a great introduction for those new to Hindu Gods, legends and traditions. The artwork is all comic and I would love to see series on Uma, Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Krishna, Ganesh, Indra and many others.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not only does this comic have some gorgeous artwork, the way these ancient myths are retold helped to clarify some things about Hindu mythology. Gorgeous art and gorgeous storytelling.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

One would imagine the colorful myths of India would make good fodder for graphic novel artists. With beautiful artwork, the tales of the gods are presented for a Western audience.

[Ankit Lal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sad. Dissapointing.

[Surya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful depiction.
Great read for middle schoolers and maybe even high schoolers.