लाक्षागृह

Krishna ki Atmakatha #4

by Manu Sharma

मैं नियति के तेज वाहन पर सवार था। सबकुछ मुझसे पीछे छूटता जा रहा था। वृंदावन और मथुरा; राधा और कुब्जा-सबकुछ मार्ग के वृक्ष की तरह छूट गए थे। केवल उनकी स्मृतियाँ मेरे मन से लिपटी रह गई थीं। कभी-कभी वर्तमान की धूल उन्हें ऐसा घेर लेती है कि वे उनसे निकल नहीं पाती थीं। मैं अतीत से कटा हुआ केवल वर्तमान का भोक्‍ता रह जाता।माना कि भविष्‍य कुछ नहीं है; वह वर्तमान की कल्पना है; मेरी अकांक्षाओं का चित्र है—और यह वह है; जिसे मैंने अभी तक पाया नहीं है; इसलिए मैं उसे एक आदर्श मानता हूँ। आदर्श कभी पाया नहीं जाता। जब तक मैँ उसके निकट पहुँचता हूँ; हाथ मारता हूँ तब तक हाथ में आने के पहले ही झटककर और आगे चला जाता है। एक लुभावनी मरीचिका के पीछे दौड़ना भर रह जाता है।कृष्‍ण के अनगिनत आयाम हैं। दूसरे उपन्यासों

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishna ki Atmkatha #4 लाक्षागृह by Manu Sharma- Part IV of the book relates to plan of Kurus to shift Pandavas to Varnavat for some time so that they can be burnt alive in a palace constructed with the help of combustible material laquer. Duryodhana takes Dhritrashtra into confidence. Dhritrashtra invites Kunti to his palace chamber with her son Yudhistar. He suggests that a new temple is being constructed by the Kuru Kingdom at Varnavat, a city on the banks of river Ganga. Pandavs have been chosen to represent the King and perform religious puja. Purochan, a servant faithful to the Kurus is sent earlier to construct a palace of combustible material laquer. It is planned that on the seventh night, the palace will be burnt by Purochan. Pandavas with Kunti agree to travel. Minister Vidur is aware of the conspiracy. Duryodhana has planned that Pandavas do not get any time to meet Vidur or any other person of their favour. Vidur meets them in their chariot. Vidur explains in coded language about the conspiracy. He also informs that he has arranged for a digger who will carve a cave which will open at the bank of Ganga River. They can board a boat and move away in the darkness of the night. When the Pandavas reach Varnavat, they view the new temple and shift in the lacquer palace. The cave digger arrives and starts his work silently. Pandavas perform puja in the new temple. On the seventh day, one poor family with five children and their mother take refuge in their palace. Purochan burns the Varnavat palace during the night. Purochan tries to escape but the fire is so fast that he is succumbed in the flames. Pandavas move out of the cave dug by the digger. They find a boat moving to the other bank of River Ganga. Thus, they are safe while the woman with five children are burnt alive. Next day, the people find the ruins of the burnt palace. They inform Dhritrashtra who declares mourning and informs relates of Pandavas. Dhritrashtra, Duryodhana and his brothers and Karn show how much they are aggrieved by death of Pandavas. Shri Krishna is informed. He arrives and pays respect to the memory of Pandavas. But he is somehow aware that Pandavas have escaped safely. This is good descriptive book about Epic Mahabharta. It should be translated in all Indian languages for readers of all ages can benefit from it.

[Sachin Kaushik · Rating 4 out of 5]

since last two months i have been on a reading spree of Manu Sharma's : Krishna ki Aatmakatha . in 8 parts, it is a huge volume of work which involves a hell lot of imagination and knowledge of actual events when you are writing the autobiography of a God. my first reaction was Whoa ! why hadnt anybody told me about it before ? it is brilliant and i have been so absorbed into reading this that i cant help thinking and contemplating about Krishna and the events of Mahabharata for most part of the day. Krsihna is worshipped as a God amongst Hindus, even we do , hence reading a narrative from Krishna's point of view is priceless. i have so far read 5 parts and they are brilliantly written with fast moving events , most of which are well known in general public and form the basis of worship of Lord Krishna. Still the narrative doesnt lose its originality or relevance. Many famous incidents such aas Putna vadh, Kaliya nag, Muchukand, Ranchor, Dwarka etc. are very well written minus the symbolism and one gets to know the exact way in which they would have happened and how they were associated with religious symbolism and miracles. Though Chchandak is one character i havent been able to find if he really existed, he plays a central part in almost all the events.
i will update once i finish the entire series. but i cant stop recommending this series to all Hindi readers. most people haven't even heard of it even though the author was a decorated author , winner of several literature awards. and this too i came to know only when i started researching about him. sadly most Hindi authors dont get the kind of publicity English authors do in our country.