अन्तराल

Mahasamar #5

by नरेंद्र कोहली, Narendra Kohli

इस खंड में द्यूत में हारने के पश्चात् पांडवों के वनवास की कथा है । कुंती, पाण्डु के साथ शत-श्रृंग पर वनवास करने गई थी । लाक्षागृह के जलने पर, वह अपने पुत्रों के साथ हिडिम्ब वन में भी रही थी । महाभारत की कथा के अंतिम चरण में, उसने धृतराष्ट्र, गांधारी तथा विदुर के साथ भी वनवास किया था । किन्तु अपने पुत्रों के विकट कष्ट के इन दिनों में वह उनके साथ वन में नहीं गयी । वह न द्वारका गयी, न भोजपुर । वह हस्तिनापुर में विदुर के घर पर क्यों रही ? इस प्रकार अनेक प्रश्नों के उत्तर निर्दोष तर्कों के आधार पर अंतराल में प्रस्तुत किये हैं ।

Genres: Fiction

296 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2014

About the author

Padmashree Narendra Kohli is one of the most eminent and well-known Hindi writers of our times. His novel based on the Ram-Katha, Abhyuday, shifted the course of Hindi novel-writing. Another of his novels, Mahasamar, based on the Pandava-katha went on to become just as popular. His novel-series, Todo Kara Todo is considered the greatest and foremost novel in any language on the life of Swami Vivekananda. Abhigyan, Vasudev, Sharnam, Aatmaswikriti, Varunaputri, Sagar-Manthan, Ahalya etc. are his other well-known works. Apart from the Padmashree, he has also been awarded the Hindi Akademi award; Delhi Salaka Samman; Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthaan award; Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Samman, Lucknow; K.K. Birla Foundation award; Vyasa Samman, New Delhi; Madhya Pradesh government and Bhopal’s Maithili Sharan Gupt Rashtriya Samman, among numerous other honours.

डॉ॰ नरेन्द्र कोहली (जन्म ६ जनवरी १९४०, निधन १७ अप्रैल २०२१, चैत्र शुक्ल पंचमी, नवरात्रि) प्रसिद्ध हिन्दी साहित्यकार हैं। उन्होंने साहित्य के सभी प्रमुख विधाओं (यथा उपन्यास, व्यंग्य, नाटक, कहानी) एवं गौण विधाओं (यथा संस्मरण, निबंध, पत्र आदि) और आलोचनात्मक साहित्य में अपनी लेखनी चलाई है। उन्होंने शताधिक श्रेष्ठ ग्रंथों का सृजन किया है। हिन्दी साहित्य में 'महाकाव्यात्मक उपन्यास' की विधा को प्रारंभ करने का श्रेय नरेंद्र कोहली को ही जाता है। पौराणिक एवं ऐतिहासिक चरित्रों की गुत्थियों को सुलझाते हुए उनके माध्यम से आधुनिक सामाज की समस्याओं एवं उनके समाधान को समाज के समक्ष प्रस्तुत करना कोहली की अन्यतम विशेषता है। कोहलीजी सांस्कृतिक राष्ट्रवादी साहित्यकार हैं, जिन्होंने अपनी रचनाओं के माध्यम से भारतीय जीवन-शैली एवं दर्शन का सम्यक् परिचय करवाया है। जनवरी, २०१७ में उन्हें पद्मश्री से सम्मानित किया गया।

Reviews

[Mohit · Rating 5 out of 5]

By now I am convinced that this 9-part novel is arguably my best-read piece ever, not just in Hindi but in any language and genre. An agnostic me also has a very strong feeling that Kohliji had a divine intervention while writing this book because there can be no other explanation for the near-perfect-ness of this work of his.

Coming back to this book (Antaraal - 5) per se, it takes the story forward from where Pandavas are accorded 13 years Vanvaas and 1 year of Agyaatvaas. While Draupadi (with her untied hair) decides to be exiled with the Pandavas to remind them of the revenge to be taken at the end of this period, Kunti stays back in Hastinapur to remind Dhritirashtra every day that even Adharm is not permanent. Pandavas' other wives - Devika, Balandharaa, Subhadra, Karenumati and Vijaya also depart to their respective (safe) houses alongwith their children.

This book is also about discourse on Karma-Akarma-Dharma-Adharma and how Krishna helps Pandavas navigate through the captioned dilemmas. It is also about how every loss is also an incidental opportunity and even these years were important for Pandavas to bring about Dharma-yug.

Again, a must read because every word is a learning for life and there is so much to take back home even after having read about Mahabharata so many times.

Loved it and look forward to Part 6 now.

[Amar Satrawala · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is all about essential preparation of the incoming war which Yudhistar must take on whole-heartedly. All Rishi samaj knows that and helping by helping the Pandavas and giving Yudhistar the true perspective of Dharma which is 'peace at the cost of upholding real dharma is more dangerous' as it will lead to much larger onslaught by the Adharmis.

Narender Kohli is undoubtedly one of the exponents who really understand the Sanatan Dharma. Who else can put words in the mouth of great Rishis and Krishna.

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antral by Narendra Kohli- Mahasamar 5 In the last round of dice played between Kauravas and Pandavas, dice is rolled by Shakuni and Duryodhana wins the game. Thus the Pandavas and according to the condition, Pandavas accept 12 years of life in exile and one year of incognito. If they the cover is blown up and they are identified, another 13 year cycle will start. As Kunti, their mother is not part of the deal, she stays back with Vidur. Pandavas decide one thing for final, that if on their return, the Karurvas do not give their kingdom back, they will declare war for their rights. The Pandavas spent 12 years exile and keep travelling to various places. Shri Krishan arranges for a plate which provides food for all day. During this period, they visit many saints and take their blessings. During this period, Arjun leaves them and goes to Himalayas to performs penance. He is blessed and is also provided with weapons.

Prachchan- Hidden- Mahasamar 6- The one year incognito they live as peasants from Hastinapur in the palace of King of Mataya, named Virat. Yudhistar's name is Kank. His role is of dice player with the King. Bhim is Vrakodar the head cook for the palace. Arjun is Vrihannala, dance teacher for Uttara, daughter of Virat. Nakul is Tantpal, who looks after the cows and other animals of the King, Sahdav is Granthik, the writer for King. Druapadi is maid to Queen Sudeshana. Here the Pandavas are never at peace. Kitchak, Commander in Chief of Virat army and brother of Queen Sudshana sees Sairandhri and is enamored by her beauty and wants to sleep with her. She avoids him and tells him that she is a married and if bothered her husband will take revenge. She informs Vrakodar about Kitchak. Bhim plans with Vrihannala and calls the Commander at the dance hall in the night. Here Bhim starts a fight with him while Vrihannla plays the drum loudly so that the noise of fighting is curbed. Ultimately, Bhim kills Kitchak. Kauravas are aware of the beginning of time of incognito and start tracing the Pandavas. They find that Kitchak has been killed. Kitchak is a well known warrior and can only be defeated in Mase fighting by Balram, Durgodhana and Bhim only. They visit Matsya kingdom but are unable to locate the Pandavas. On the death of her brother Kitchak, Sudeshana doubts that Sairandhri has a hand in the death of the brother. She informs her husband to take action against Sairandhri. By this time, one year period ends. Kauravas doubt that Pandavas are hiding in Viart Kingdom and that their brave commander of the army is dead and they are invincible. They ask Susharma and Trigart kings to attack Matsya from one border. King Virat fights them. From the other border, Kauravas attack. Now only young son of Matsya, Uttar is in the palace. Sudeshana asks for help. Kauravas away the cows of King Virat. Vrihannala drives the chariot of Prince of Matsya, Uttar. Ultimately, both armies of Susharma, Trigart and Kauravas are defeated. The Book has depicted the story in charming way. This book depicts Indian culture and philosophy well. It should be translated into various Indian languages and also in foreign languages so that international readers are aware of epic Mahabharata. It is a must read for all.

[Ved Prakash · Rating 4 out of 5]

इस भाग में द्यूत में हारने के बाद वनवास कर रहे पांडवों की कथा है। इस अंक में जो भाग कवर किया गया है वो है ― द्रौपदी का साथ जाना और बाकि रानियों का अपने-अपने मायके लौट जाना, कुंती का हस्तिनापुर में रुक जाना, अर्जुन और 'महादेव' का युद्ध और 'पाशुपतास्त्र' प्राप्त करना, इंद्र से दिव्यास्त्र प्राप्त करने हेतु 'देवलोक' जाना और उन्हें प्राप्त करना, अर्जुन द्वारा उर्वसी के प्रणय-निवेदन को ठुकराना, भीम के दम्भ को हनुमान जी द्वारा चूर करना, कृष्ण और दुर्योधन का आपस में समधी बनना और भविष्य में होने वाले युद्ध में कृष्ण-बलराम सहित यादवों की जो भूमिका रही उसका बीज तैयार होना, इत्यादि।

जैसा कि पहले के अंकों में भी कह चुका हूँ कि लेखक किसी भी घटना का दैवीय या चमत्कारिक वर्णन नहीं करते हैं; सभी घटनाओं को इस तरह कहानी में ढालते हैं जो हाड़-माँस से बने मनुष्यों द्वारा(के लिए) संभव हो।

अतः इस अंक का प्राप्य है ― अर्जुन-महादेव-पाशुपतास्त्र प्रसंग, अर्जुन-इंद्र-उर्वसी-देवलोक-दिव्यास्त्र प्रसंग, और भीम-हनुमान प्रसंग का तर्कपूर्ण विवरण; कहीं भी चमत्कार नज़र नहीं आएगा।

[Siddhartha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth part of Mahasamar and covers the 12 years of exile of Pandavas. As usual the author tries to portray as goodness in person, always coming with excuses to justify all his actions. This part explains Arjun's trip to Deva kingdom and getting the weapons needed for the war. Also this part gives two incidents of how Bhima was willing to do anything to please Draupadi even angering Yudhishtar and how Draupadi is able to get him to do things as she wills. This part ends with Krishna visits them in the forest and plans the one year of hidden life.