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Krishna Charitra
Krishna Charitra is a famous Bengali classic where Bankim Chandra endeavours to discover Sri Krishna, the real person, behind centuries of myths and legends. Written in 1886, this was the first instance where the character of Krishna is studied from a pragmatic and questioning perspective. Like his novel Ananda Math, Krishna Charitra originates from Bankim Chandra's passionate feeling of patriotism. He wanted to uphold Sri Krishna as not just a mythological figure, but an ideal Indian character, whom other Indians could look up to. Sri Aurobindo says, Bankim Chandra poured over the Bhagavad Gita and the Vedas striving to catch the deeper and sacred sense of those profound writings. To give that to his countrymen was the strenuous aim of Krishna Charitra. In this translation of Krishna Charitra, several passages of Bankim's academic discussions have been omitted, so as to make it easier for the common reader. Also deleted are the criticisms on the European people that Bankim Chandra includes in his book from time to time. Otherwise, the text strictly follows the structure and the content of the original dissertation.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1886
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May 2, 2016
unbelievable that someone could write such an intense analytical book in 19th century. Respect to Bankimchandra Chattergy!
October 21, 2017
কৃষ্ণ সম্পর্কে আমাদের সকল জ্ঞানের উৎস মূলতঃ চারটি গ্রন্থ- মহাভারত, বিষ্ণুপুরাণ, হরিবংশ, আর ভাগবত। এর মধ্যে শেষোক্তটিতে কৃষ্ণের যে চিত্র পাওয়া যায়, প্রচলিত কৃষ্ণচরিত্র বলতে আমরা সেটিকেই জানি বা বুঝি। কিন্তু বঙ্কিমচন্দ্র তার নিজস্ব কৃষ্ণচরিত্র নির্মাণ করতে গিয়ে ভাগবতের প্রায় সবটুকুই বর্জন করে এগিয়েছেন। কেন, তা বলতে গেলে বইটির মূল প্রতিপাদ্য এবং সে প্রতিপাদ্যে পৌছাতে বঙ্কিমচন্দ্র যে প্রক্রিয়ায় এগিয়েছেন, তা বলে ফেলতে হয়।
বঙ্কিমের মতে, সর্বকালের সর্বমানবের আদর্শ চরিত্র শ্রীকৃষ্ণ। এক্ষেত্রে কৃষ্ণের তুল্য হিশেবে দুইজনের কথা বারংবার এনেছেন তিনি, বুদ্ধদেব, আর যীশুখ্রিস্ট। মানুষ হিশেবে এই দুইজনের শ্রেষ্ঠতা নিয়ে তার সন্দেহ নেই; তার সন্দেহ, মানুষ হিশেবে এই দুইজন আদর্শ কী না তা নিয়ে। একজন মানুষের যতরকম মানবীয় গুণাবলি থাকা সম্ভব, তার সব কি এদের মধ্যে আছে? বঙ্কিমের মতে, নেই। তার দ্বিধাহীন সিদ্ধান্ত, কৃষ্ণই ইতিহাসের একমাত্র আদর্শ মানব-চরিত্র। কর্মে, ধর্মে, মেধায়, মননে, জ্ঞানে, বুদ্ধিতে- মোটকথা যত সদগুণ ও সুকর্মের অধিকারী মানুষের পক্ষে হওয়া সম্ভব, তার সবকিছুর শ্রেষ্ঠ প্রকাশ পাই বঙ্কিমের নির্মিত কৃষ্ণ চরিত্রের মধ্যে।
দুই ধাপে বঙ্কিমে তার এই সিদ্ধান্তের দিকে অগ্রসর হন।
প্রথমে কৃষ্ণ সম্পর্কে যে চারটি গ্রন্থের নাম প্রথমেই উল্লিখিত হয়েছে, এদের মধ্যে সবচেয়ে প্রাচীনটিকেই তিনি প্রামাণ্য হিশেবে গ্রহণ করেন। যেহেতু পরবর্তী রচনাসমূহের অনেকাংশই প্রক্ষিপ্ত, বিকৃত ও অসমঞ্জস, সেহেতু প্রকৃত কৃষ্ণকে খুঁজে পেতে হলে আদিতম পাঠের উপরই নির্ভর করতে হয়। এক্ষেত্রে আবার আদিতম পাঠ মহাভারতের উপরও সম্পূর্ণ নির্ভর করা চলে না। মহাভারত অনেক বছর ধরে একাধিক মানুষের দ্বারা লিখিত হওয়ায় আদিতম মহাভারতের উপর অসংখ্য অযোগ্য অকবিরা যে যেভাবে পেরেছেন কাঁচি চালিয়েছেন। আজকে আমরা যে মহাভারত পাই, তাকে কিছুতেই আর মৌলিক পাঠ বলা সম্ভব না। প্রসঙ্গত উল্লেখ্য, এই মন্তব্য হয়তো অধিকাংশ হিন্দু আদি গ্রন্থ সম্পর্কেই করা যায়। তাই, সূত্র যখন মহাভারত, তখনও যথেষ্ট যাচাইবাছাই করে আদিতম পাঠ হিশেবে নিশ্চিত হওয়ার পরই সেই অংশ গ্রহণ করতে হয়েছে বঙ্কিমকে। অন্যদিকে কালানুক্রমিকভাবে সর্বশেষ ভাগবতপুরাণের বেশির ভাগ অংশই যেহেতু পূর্বের বিভিন্ন পাঠের সাথে অসমঞ্জস, আর উদ্ভট ও বিকৃত, সেহেতু বঙ্কিম ভাগবতকে যতটুকু পারা যায় এড়িয়েই গেছেন। তার কৃষ্ণ প্রচলিত কৃষ্ণ থেকে এখানেই সম্পূর্ণ আলাদা হয়ে গেছে।
দ্বিতীয় ধাপে বঙ্কিম কৃষ্ণের সাথে সম্পর্কিত সব ধরনের অলৌকিকতাকে বর্জন করে একজন লৌকিক মানুষ হিশেবে কৃষ্ণের চিন্তা-কর্ম-আচার-আচরণ বিশ্লেষণ করেছেন। তা করতে গিয়ে কোন পাঠে ন্যূনতম অলৌকিকতার নিদর্শন থাকলে তাকেই প্রক্ষিপ্ত ও অপ্রয়োজনীয় বলে বর্জন করে গেছেন।
এই বিশ্লেষণের ফলস্বরূপ সিদ্ধান্ত, মানবীয় যেকোন প্রচেষ্টায়, কী কর্মে, কী চিন্তায়, কী ধর্মে, কৃষ্ণই মানুষের একমাত্র আদর্শ চরিত্র হতে পারে। একমবেদ্বিতীয়ম।
বঙ্কিম নিজে কৃষ্ণের অবতারতত্ত্বে বিশ্বাস রাখলেও তার লেখায় এই বিশ্বাসের পক্ষে কোন যুক্তি দেওয়া থেকে তিনি বিরত থেকেছেন; পাঠককে এই অবতারতত্ত্বে বিশ্বাস আনার কোন পরামর্শও তিনি দেননি। বঙ্কিমের একমাত্র প্রয়াস, কৃষ্ণকে মানুষ হিশেবে আদর্শ-তুল্য প্রমাণ করা, তার উপর দেবত্ব বা অবতারত্ব আরোপ নয়।
কৃষ্ণ আদতে কেমন ছিলেন, বা তার ঐতিহাসিকতার আদৌ কোন ভিত্তি আছে কী না তা সম্পর্কে শেষ মন্তব্য করা হয়তো এখনও অসম্ভব; তবে এতটুকু বলতেই পারি, বঙ্কিমের স্বকপোলকল্পিত যে কৃষ্ণচরিত্র, সে কৃষ্ণ নিঃসন্দেহে আদর্শ মানুষ হওয়ার যোগ্যতা রাখে।
এখানে কৃতিত্ব কে পাচ্ছেন ভাববার বিষয়, শ্রীকৃষ্ণ, না কি বঙ্কিম নিজেই!
বঙ্কিমের মতে, সর্বকালের সর্বমানবের আদর্শ চরিত্র শ্রীকৃষ্ণ। এক্ষেত্রে কৃষ্ণের তুল্য হিশেবে দুইজনের কথা বারংবার এনেছেন তিনি, বুদ্ধদেব, আর যীশুখ্রিস্ট। মানুষ হিশেবে এই দুইজনের শ্রেষ্ঠতা নিয়ে তার সন্দেহ নেই; তার সন্দেহ, মানুষ হিশেবে এই দুইজন আদর্শ কী না তা নিয়ে। একজন মানুষের যতরকম মানবীয় গুণাবলি থাকা সম্ভব, তার সব কি এদের মধ্যে আছে? বঙ্কিমের মতে, নেই। তার দ্বিধাহীন সিদ্ধান্ত, কৃষ্ণই ইতিহাসের একমাত্র আদর্শ মানব-চরিত্র। কর্মে, ধর্মে, মেধায়, মননে, জ্ঞানে, বুদ্ধিতে- মোটকথা যত সদগুণ ও সুকর্মের অধিকারী মানুষের পক্ষে হওয়া সম্ভব, তার সবকিছুর শ্রেষ্ঠ প্রকাশ পাই বঙ্কিমের নির্মিত কৃষ্ণ চরিত্রের মধ্যে।
দুই ধাপে বঙ্কিমে তার এই সিদ্ধান্তের দিকে অগ্রসর হন।
প্রথমে কৃষ্ণ সম্পর্কে যে চারটি গ্রন্থের নাম প্রথমেই উল্লিখিত হয়েছে, এদের মধ্যে সবচেয়ে প্রাচীনটিকেই তিনি প্রামাণ্য হিশেবে গ্রহণ করেন। যেহেতু পরবর্তী রচনাসমূহের অনেকাংশই প্রক্ষিপ্ত, বিকৃত ও অসমঞ্জস, সেহেতু প্রকৃত কৃষ্ণকে খুঁজে পেতে হলে আদিতম পাঠের উপরই নির্ভর করতে হয়। এক্ষেত্রে আবার আদিতম পাঠ মহাভারতের উপরও সম্পূর্ণ নির্ভর করা চলে না। মহাভারত অনেক বছর ধরে একাধিক মানুষের দ্বারা লিখিত হওয়ায় আদিতম মহাভারতের উপর অসংখ্য অযোগ্য অকবিরা যে যেভাবে পেরেছেন কাঁচি চালিয়েছেন। আজকে আমরা যে মহাভারত পাই, তাকে কিছুতেই আর মৌলিক পাঠ বলা সম্ভব না। প্রসঙ্গত উল্লেখ্য, এই মন্তব্য হয়তো অধিকাংশ হিন্দু আদি গ্রন্থ সম্পর্কেই করা যায়। তাই, সূত্র যখন মহাভারত, তখনও যথেষ্ট যাচাইবাছাই করে আদিতম পাঠ হিশেবে নিশ্চিত হওয়ার পরই সেই অংশ গ্রহণ করতে হয়েছে বঙ্কিমকে। অন্যদিকে কালানুক্রমিকভাবে সর্বশেষ ভাগবতপুরাণের বেশির ভাগ অংশই যেহেতু পূর্বের বিভিন্ন পাঠের সাথে অসমঞ্জস, আর উদ্ভট ও বিকৃত, সেহেতু বঙ্কিম ভাগবতকে যতটুকু পারা যায় এড়িয়েই গেছেন। তার কৃষ্ণ প্রচলিত কৃষ্ণ থেকে এখানেই সম্পূর্ণ আলাদা হয়ে গেছে।
দ্বিতীয় ধাপে বঙ্কিম কৃষ্ণের সাথে সম্পর্কিত সব ধরনের অলৌকিকতাকে বর্জন করে একজন লৌকিক মানুষ হিশেবে কৃষ্ণের চিন্তা-কর্ম-আচার-আচরণ বিশ্লেষণ করেছেন। তা করতে গিয়ে কোন পাঠে ন্যূনতম অলৌকিকতার নিদর্শন থাকলে তাকেই প্রক্ষিপ্ত ও অপ্রয়োজনীয় বলে বর্জন করে গেছেন।
এই বিশ্লেষণের ফলস্বরূপ সিদ্ধান্ত, মানবীয় যেকোন প্রচেষ্টায়, কী কর্মে, কী চিন্তায়, কী ধর্মে, কৃষ্ণই মানুষের একমাত্র আদর্শ চরিত্র হতে পারে। একমবেদ্বিতীয়ম।
বঙ্কিম নিজে কৃষ্ণের অবতারতত্ত্বে বিশ্বাস রাখলেও তার লেখায় এই বিশ্বাসের পক্ষে কোন যুক্তি দেওয়া থেকে তিনি বিরত থেকেছেন; পাঠককে এই অবতারতত্ত্বে বিশ্বাস আনার কোন পরামর্শও তিনি দেননি। বঙ্কিমের একমাত্র প্রয়াস, কৃষ্ণকে মানুষ হিশেবে আদর্শ-তুল্য প্রমাণ করা, তার উপর দেবত্ব বা অবতারত্ব আরোপ নয়।
কৃষ্ণ আদতে কেমন ছিলেন, বা তার ঐতিহাসিকতার আদৌ কোন ভিত্তি আছে কী না তা সম্পর্কে শেষ মন্তব্য করা হয়তো এখনও অসম্ভব; তবে এতটুকু বলতেই পারি, বঙ্কিমের স্বকপোলকল্পিত যে কৃষ্ণচরিত্র, সে কৃষ্ণ নিঃসন্দেহে আদর্শ মানুষ হওয়ার যোগ্যতা রাখে।
এখানে কৃতিত্ব কে পাচ্ছেন ভাববার বিষয়, শ্রীকৃষ্ণ, না কি বঙ্কিম নিজেই!
August 16, 2016
I love the Mahabharata, and have read quite a few translations by different authors. I am also a believer in the Gods venerated in these epics, like Krishna. With that disclaimer out of the way, I recommend this book highly to believers and disbelievers, alike. Here's why - this is a treatise, a very short one of just around 200 pages, which seeks to separate 'fact' from 'fiction' in the many stories we know of Krishna, including those sections of the Mahabharata featuring Krishna. The author, more popularly known as the poet who wrote 'Vande Mataram', asks questions like - did Krishna really kill a rakshasa masquerading as a woman, while suckling her breast? Did Krishna lift Govardhana with his little finger? Did Krishna frolic with the Gopikas? Did Krishna encourage Adharma, while fighting the war? - and many more. The classic story of Karna and his many misfortunes has never failed to move me - but were there really so many supernatural forces that targeted him? The author elaborates on these answers, calling to his aid the distinguishing styles of poetry in the different sections of the Sanskrit epic - some good, and some not as good - exposing to a keen discerner the later additions to the epic. The author also corroborates his classification, by referring to other scriptures as well as the introduction to the Mahabharata, purportedly written by Vyasa himself, and from dialogues within the epic, where different characters refer to the same incident. The author further gives very convincing reasons as to how these 'inspired' stories made it into our epics. While I enjoy these additions to our epics, as a believer, I find Krishna more inspiring in his human avatar. I like Karna no less now, after pondering if his many misfortunes were indeed exaggerated. What I enjoyed most in the book is how Mr. Chatterjee expounds on this subject, with a lot of respect and devotion to Krishna, himself. The only thorn in this rose, were a couple of misogynistic lines carelessly strewn about - but from the author's open mindedness when discussing man-woman relations at the time the epic was set, I want to dismiss this off as just a miss, with no disrespect intended.
As an aside, I find it incredible that the author was able to read so much, assimilate it, and write as much - while holding a job as a court magistrate - and achieve all this before the age of 56 when he passed away!
As an aside, I find it incredible that the author was able to read so much, assimilate it, and write as much - while holding a job as a court magistrate - and achieve all this before the age of 56 when he passed away!
March 20, 2023
ಕೃಷ್ಣನನ್ನು ದೈವಮನುಷ್ಯನ ದೃಷ್ಟಿಕೋನದಿಂದ ಬದಿಗಿಟ್ಟು ಒಬ್ಬ ಐತಿಹಾಸಿಕ ಮಹಾತ್ಮನಾಗಿ ಪುರಾವೆಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಕಾಣಿಸುವ ಪುಸ್ತಕ. ಪ್ರತಿ ಸಾಲಿನಲ್ಲೂ ಲೇಖಕರ ಘನ ಪಾಂಡಿತ್ಯ ಮತ್ತು ಸತ್ಯ ಶೋಧದ ಹಸಿವು ಕಾಣುತ್ತದೆ. ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಒಂದೊಳ್ಳೆ ಬರವಣಿಗೆ.
ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇರುವ ಗಟ್ಟಿ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆಗೆ ಉದಾಹರಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಭಾಗವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುವೆ, ಪೂತನ ಎಂಬ ರಕ್ಕಸಿಯನ್ನು ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹಸುಳೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗಲೇ ಸಂಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರು ಎಂಬುದು ನಾವೆಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳಿರುವ ಕಥೆ. ಇದೇ ಸಂದರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಲೇಖಕರು ಮಂಡಿಸುವುದು ಹೀಗೆ. ಅಂದಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ "ಪೂತನ" ಎಂಬೊಂದು ರೋಗವಿತ್ತು, ಅದು ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಹಸುಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಭಾದಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು - ಈ ರೋಗ ಬಂದ ಹಸುಳೆಗಳು ತಾಯಿಯ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯದೇ ರಚ್ಚು ಹಿಡಿದು ಹಸಿವಿಗೆ ಕೃಶರಾಗಿ ಸಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರತಾಗಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿದು ದಷ್ಟಪುಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ಪೂತನ ಮಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಗೆದ್ದ ಹಸುಳೆಯನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಕವಿಗಳು ಪೂತನ ಸಂಹಾರದ ಕಥೆಯಿಂದ ವಿಜೃಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂಬದು ಬಂಕಿಮರ ಶೋಧ. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಸತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಇರುವ, ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನಂಬುವಂತ ವಿವರಗಳಿಂದ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿರುವ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಓದಲರ್ಹ. ಓದಿ, ಓದಿಸಿ
ಪುಸ್ತಕದ ಹಿಂದೆ ಇರುವ ಗಟ್ಟಿ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆಗೆ ಉದಾಹರಣೆಯಾಗಿ ಒಂದು ಭಾಗವನ್ನು ವಿವರಿಸುವೆ, ಪೂತನ ಎಂಬ ರಕ್ಕಸಿಯನ್ನು ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಹಸುಳೆಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗಲೇ ಸಂಹಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದರು ಎಂಬುದು ನಾವೆಲ್ಲ ಕೇಳಿರುವ ಕಥೆ. ಇದೇ ಸಂದರ್ಭವನ್ನು ಲೇಖಕರು ಮಂಡಿಸುವುದು ಹೀಗೆ. ಅಂದಿನ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ "ಪೂತನ" ಎಂಬೊಂದು ರೋಗವಿತ್ತು, ಅದು ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಹಸುಳೆಗಳನ್ನು ಭಾದಿಸುತ್ತಿತ್ತು - ಈ ರೋಗ ಬಂದ ಹಸುಳೆಗಳು ತಾಯಿಯ ಹಾಲನ್ನು ಕುಡಿಯದೇ ರಚ್ಚು ಹಿಡಿದು ಹಸಿವಿಗೆ ಕೃಶರಾಗಿ ಸಾಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದವು. ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರತಾಗಿ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಹಾಲು ಕುಡಿದು ದಷ್ಟಪುಷ್ಟವಾಗಿ ಬೆಳೆಯುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ಪೂತನ ಮಾರಿಯನ್ನು ಗೆದ್ದ ಹಸುಳೆಯನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಕವಿಗಳು ಪೂತನ ಸಂಹಾರದ ಕಥೆಯಿಂದ ವಿಜೃಂಭಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಎಂಬದು ಬಂಕಿಮರ ಶೋಧ. ಈ ರೀತಿ ಸತ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹತ್ತಿರ ಇರುವ, ಎಲ್ಲರೂ ನಂಬುವಂತ ವಿವರಗಳಿಂದ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಚರಿತ್ರೆಯನ್ನು ಹೇಳಿರುವ ಈ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ನಿಜಕ್ಕೂ ಓದಲರ್ಹ. ಓದಿ, ಓದಿಸಿ
October 1, 2021
I Am Krishna by Deep Trivedi- The Book is written after 5- years research on various Hindu Scriptures who details has been narrated in the introduction of the Book. Shatpath Brahmin narrates that Shri Krishna is from Vrishni Vansha. Harivansh Puran written by Ugrashrawa contains details of life of Shri Krishna. Author is a psychologist. He has written that he has analysed the reasons following which certain act was done or not done by Shri Krishna. Chapter 1- The book has been narrated in first person. Shri Krishna has written that in his earlier life he expired at the age of 40. In this life, he found others responsible for his luck. He did not analyse that he also committed mistakes. Therefore, he planned that in this life, he will improve on his mistakes and struggle for better life for himself and for the society. His uncle Kansa, King of Mathura was informed that his sister Devaki’s eighth son will kill Kansa. Therefore, he places four guards on their palace and watches them as house arrested persons. When the first son is born, his fahter Vasudev gives the child to King Kansa who kills the child. People of Mathura complain to Rishi Narad ttgat Kansa is an autocrat and loots his loyal city dwellers. Narad appears before Kansa in his palace and informs that death is on his head and he should fear for his life. Kansa is satisfied with the character of Vasudev; therefore, he informs Vasudev that he is no more under arrest, he can travel out of city also. Narad has an intention that the misdeeds of Kansa should increase so much that his end should come soon. Therefore, Narad visits him again while he is standing near a road. He shows him a moving bullock cart. He shows him the wheel and asks him which the first fork and which is the eighth fork in the wheel. Kansa understands that any child can be the 8th child. He asks Vasudev to bring his 3- children whom he kills. In the coming years, he kills three more children of Vasudev. Kansa has a jail under his palace where he has arrested his father Ugrasen and Vasudev- Devaki. In order to save the 8th child, two of his ministers Gargacharya and Anart plan to help Vasudev. Vasudev visits Gokul and meets his friend Nand Gop. Vasudev’s other 13- wives including Rohini are also living in Gokul for safety. He requests that in order to save his 8th child from Kansa, Nand Gop should exchange his son with his child which is about to be born. Nand Gop agrees. He shifts to a house near the bank of river Yamuna. Gargacharya and Anart prepare a bamboo covered plank in which the 8th child can be carried across Yamuna river by Vasudev. It is mid-night and rains are pouring. When the 8th child Is born, prison gatekeepers open the gates, Vasudev takes the 8th child, a son, in the bamboo covered plank, swims the Yamuna exchanges Nand Gop’s daughter with his son and swims back with the changed child which is a daughter of Nand Gop. After reaching the prison safely, the gatekeepers inform Kansa who comes and kills the 8th child. Chapter 2- My Childhood- Nand Gop was an elderly person. Therefore, his new born daughter was weak. The 8th child was no more. Kansa released his sister Devaki and Vasudev from prison and begged pardon from them for his mis-deeds. Devaki was in and out prison during these years, she needed rest. Vasudev visited Gokul, saw the 8th child and returned back to Mathura. Vasudev was a rich landlord and Nand Gop was his servant. But, as family of Vasudev was living in Gokul in the protection of Nand Gop, the two behaved as friends. Gokul was a small village under Mathura. Vasudev was in-charge of deposit of taxes at Mathura and Nand Gop looked after collection of taxes from Gokul. Nand Gop had visited with his family to deposit taxes and we were returning back by bullock cart. Mathura to Gokul Is a two day journey.Gokul is a typical village- mud roads just enough broad that a bullock cart may crawl. Cows moving and grazing. Women in coloured dresses moving fast to complete the daily chores. Common feature about the houses is that cows are tied in the verandah or open space and trees in front of the house. There is a swing hanging there. Nand Gop’s house is large and coloured. It has as open space, a large hall for meeting people, four rooms for family. Rohini carrying Balram greets them. Gops have come to know that a son is born to Nand, therefore, village elders visit to greet him. Birds are chirping all around. Two swings were hanged, one for Shri Krishna and other for Balram. That day passed Goss stressed on Nand to celebrate by organising a function. Initially, Nand disagreed but later assented. Both Yashoda and Rohini were well dressed and active. Festival was held in the evening and continued to late in night. On the same day, one more function was organised by Kansa at Mathura in which Nand was also invited but Nand did not attend because of family function. Balram is two years elder to Shri Krishna. Shri Krishna’s feature are charming and for the whole days Gopis are around these children. Vasudev used to send jewels and clothes for us from Mathura. Balram was naughty while Shri Krishna was playful. Their names were Balram and Krishna was addressed lovingly with several names -Kanha/shyam/shyam sunder respectively. Milk was provided to both children by their mother’s. With age, Krishna liked curd and butter more. Balram was naughty while Krishna was playful. With passage of time the children started struggling to walk, then they started walking on their own. After a few years, Rohini gave birth to a daughter named Subadra. The exchange of children between Vasudev and Nand was performed while Yashoda and Devaki both had fainted due to pain of childbirth. Thus, Devaki thought that her 8th child was dead while Yashoda thought that she had given birth of Krishna. Kansa doubted why Nand did not attend his function at the palace. He invited Nand and questioned him. Kansa thought that might be Nand’s son is the 8th son of Devaki. He ordered Nand that a servant named Trinavarta is being provided to him to help in his work. Trinavart was able to imitate birds. Nand doubted the integrity of Trinavart. Therefore, he had asked the Gops to keep an eye on his activities. Trinavart imitation, birds would arrive and eat corn and play in the courtyard with Krishna. One day when Nand had gone out for work, Trinavart took Krishna to play with birds on the banks of Yamuna river. Trinavart found liquor, drank and fainted. A snake came and Krishna started playing with the snake, some Gops saw this incident. They came and killed the fainted Trinavart and broght Krishna back to the house. Now, Krishna spent more time with Gopis and could eat butter and curd. As butter was an item which was for sale at Mathura, Gopis did not like my eating out their butter without their consent. They complained to Yashoda. Yashoda scolded me. Gopis were unhappy. They wanted to pet me. Kansa was on the lookout for another killer. He found that a lady named Antara who had lost two infant children. She had lost cool of her mind. Kansa called her, named her Putna and told her about his scheme to kill Krishna. On the night of Sharad Purnima a dance and get-together function were organised by Nand. She came and started dancing. She was dressed in glittering clothes. She was the attention of all. Putna was tired. She came to the room where Krishna was asleep. She locked the room from inside. Putna look a strong poison and put on her breasts. She picked up Krishna, who kicked her when woken up. In this struggle, Putna’s hand touched her lips. The poison was so strong that Putna died immediately. Soon, Nand Yashoda and gops broke open the door and took me in their arms. Kansa did not take Putna’s death lightly. He called Vasudev and enquired why he was not visiting Gokul? Vasudev visited Gokul and asked Nand to tighten security of Krishna. Vasudev wanted action while Nand trusted in natural justice. Krishna gave butter to monkeys also. Chapter 3- Terror of a wolf- Shatak was a racer. Kansa called and ordered him to visit Gokul on Hindola festival while Gops are returning back from Govardhan and bring Krishna to him. Shatak was a strong athlete. While the group of Gops with their children were returned back to Gokul from Govardhan, attempted to catch Krishna but he could not grasp Krishna. The gops caught him and killed him. In Gokul about 50 gop families lived. Kansa gave them cows and buffalos from the palace. Gops reared them, provided milk products to the palace as and sold the remaining milk products in Mathura market. Gops had a tough hard-working life. As Balram and Krishna grew up, they started playing with gop children of their age.Krishna found the life of Gops full of difficulties. He encouraged young gop children to help their parents. They started helping in planting fruit and other trees in Gokul. He was a leader of children. The reason was that greenery was diminishing and gops had to take their cows and buffalos to Govardhan area for grazing. Still the grass was insufficient. Nand called a meeting and they decided to shift to Vrindavan. Young men helped and it took 8 days to shift to Vrindavan. Chapter 4- Vrindavan- First day the young men and women collected fruits for all. In Vrindavan, construction of houses and roads was the responsibility. Gopis considered Krishna as a child. Now was the opportunity to prove his matte. It was proposed that first a flat land should be chosen and three large halls to be constructed on priority. Then, roads and separate houses could be constructed. Devaki and Vasudev visited them at Vrindavan. This was the first time that Krishna met his mother Devaki. Kansa met his father- In -law, Jarasandh King of Magadh. Kansa and his two wives informed the incidents about Gokul and his attempts to kill Krishna had failed. Jarasandh analysed the situation. He said that as the gops live in a close group. If any outsider attacks them, they jointly kill him. Kansa should forget about the foretelling of Saint Narada. Krishna and his friends worked during the day and danced in the evening. The festival of Rang colour sprinkling was celebrated at the palace of Vrishbhanu. His wife Kirti Kumari welcomed all. His daughter Radha made Krishna sit on her lap and sprinkled colour on him. As Vrindavan was green grassland, therefore, gops were able to graze their animals and still saved time to play games. During games, one hefty boy picked up Krishna and ran. Balram caught him and killed him. Kirtan mandali lead by Acharya Shrutiketu visited Vrindavan while returning back from Mathura. They performed and all gops gopis attended and danced at the bhajans. Krishna participated. Acharya Shrutiketu said that he wants to train Krishna in singing. Krishna was introduced to Literature, music, art, dance, and use of musical instruments. He was taught to use the flute and concentrate on his performance. One stage performance was organised which proved successful. Acharya taught Krishna the use of mace, sword, revolving disc and other arms. Both brothers Balram and Krishna learned wrestling. This enhanced their confidence. Acharya informed that in Mathura city, there are large halls, broad roads, gardens, markets. Krishna wished to visit Mathura. Chapter 5- Meeting with Radha- A large stork attacked Krishna. Krishna caught the bird and Balram killed her. There was a water body in Vrindavan where peopis could bather and wash clothes. Krishna visited this place and picked up the clothes of gopis. He sat on a kadamb tree and played the flute. Gopis understood the situation. One gopi came out partly from the pond and requested Krishna to throw their clothes. Krishna obeyed. He knew that she is Radha. Yashoda scolded me. Gopis were unhappy. They wanted to pet me. Kansa was on the lookout for another killer. He found that a lady named Antara who had lost two infant children. She had lost cool of her mind. Kansa called her, named her Putna and told her about his scheme to kill Krishna. On the night of Sharad Purnima, a dance and get-together function were organised by Nand. She came and started dancing. She was dressed in glittering clothes. She was the attention of all. Putna was tired. She came to the room where Krishna was asleep. She locked the room from inside. Putna look a strong poison and put on her breasts. She picked up Krishna, who kicked her when woken up. In this struggle, Putna’s hand touched her lips. The poison was so strong that Putna died immediately. Soon, Nand Yashoda and gops broke open the door and took me in their arms. Kansa did not take Putna’s death lightly. He called Vasudev and enquired why he was not visiting Gokul? Vasudev visited Gokul and asked Nand to tighten security of Krishna. Vasudev wanted action while Nand trusted in natural justice. Krishna gave butter to monkeys also. Chapter 3- Terror of a wolf- Shatak was a racer. Kansa called and ordered him to visit Gokul on Hindola festival while Gops are returning back from Govardhan and bring Krishna to him. Shatak was a strong athlete. While the group of Gops with their children were returned back to Gokul from Govardhan, attempted to catch Krishna but he could not grasp Krishna. The gops caught him and killed him. In Gokul about 50 gop families lived. Kansa gave them cows and buffalos from the palace. Gops reared them, provided milk products to the palace as and sold the remaining milk products in Mathura market. Gops had a tough hard-working life. As Balram and Krishna grew up, they started playing with gop children of their age. Krishna found the life of Gops full of difficulties. He encouraged young gop children to help their parents. They started helping in planting fruit and other trees in Gokul. He was a leader of children. The reason was that greenery was diminishing and gops had to take their cows and buffalos to Govardhan area for grazing. Still the grass was insufficient. Nand called a meeting and they decided to shift to Vrindavan. Young men helped and it took 8 days to shift to Vrindavan. Chapter 4- Vrindavan- First day the young men and women collected fruits for all. In Vrindavan, construction of houses and roads was the responsibility. Gopis considered Krishna as a child. Now was the opportunity to prove his matte. It was proposed that first a flat land should be chosen and three large halls to be constructed on priority. Then, roads and separate houses could be constructed. Devaki and Vasudev visited them at Vrindavan. This was the first time that Krishna met his mother Devaki. Kansa met his father- In -law, Jarasandh King of Magadh. Kansa and his two wives informed the incidents about Gokul and his attempts to kill Krishna had failed. Jarasandh analysed the situation. He said that as the gops live in a close group. If any outsider attacks them, they jointly kill him. Kansa should forget about the foretelling of Saint Narada. Krishna and his friends worked during the day and danced in the evening. The festival of Rang colour sprinkling was celebrated at th
February 16, 2016
Krishna, always surrounded by gopis, loves butter, plays a flute, it this who Krishna really was? Always wanted to know more about Krishna in his real life, how he was, what was his life like, this book explains him very well, and I am happy that author did not try to describe him as a GOD. Read this book to know more about the real Krishna.
February 8, 2014
Great research by the author on the Epic. Author has put up a intriguing theory on the evolution of Epic over the ages.
The criticism by Tagore and the response by author is very good.
A very good translation by Alo Shome.
The criticism by Tagore and the response by author is very good.
A very good translation by Alo Shome.
December 2, 2015
wonderfull book.
April 29, 2018
এক কথায় অনবদ্য, অসাধারণ। তিনি যে সময়ে যুগে বসে এই গ্রন্থ রচনা করেছিলেন সে যুগের তুলনায় এই গ্রন্থ অনেক অনেক এগিয়ে। মহাভারত বা ভারতীয় গ্রন্থরাজি নিয়ে যাঁদের আগ্রহ আছে তাঁদের জন্য অবশ্য পাঠ্য।
February 22, 2020
A different angle of childhood stories about Krishna's life. Deep and critics study of Krishna's character.
April 27, 2022
A very nicely conceptualised book, which was a feast to read from Bankim Chandra ji. Only problem is, this English version of the book is marred by spelling errors. Especially Karna is everywhere mentioned as Kama, which is a big mistake. Or else the thought process is good. Few more details could easily be provided from the Mahabharata, but nonetheless, thinking Krishna as pure human being , that too more than 100 years ago, and putting it together in book for is really creditable. The Appendices also give Rabindranath Tagore's criticism (tough he was too Junior to Mr. Bankim Chandra). , and Bankimji's Answer to the criticism.
May 2, 2021
লেখক মৌলিক মহাভারত নিয়ে বিস্তর আলোচনা করেছেন। মহাভারত এর তৃতীয় স্তর নিয়ে কঠোর সমালোচনা করেছেন। তৃতীয় স্তরের লেখক নিয়ে খোশ-গল্প করা ও বাদ যায় নি।
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লেখক বরাবরই জোর দিয়ে গেছেন শ্রী কৃষ্ণের নৈসর্গিক দিক গুলোর দিকে। হিন্দু রাষ্ট্রের পরিকল্পনার যে বীজ বপন করার প্রক্রিয়াতে লেখক ছিলেন, সেই পরিকল্পনায় যারা একমত তারা যেন শ্রী কৃষ্ণের চরিত্র কে অনুসরন করেন। (আমার মতে যা ছিলো লেখকের মূল উদ্দেশ্য)
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আমার কাছে ভালো লেগেছে। জরাসুন্ধ বধ ও শিশুপাল বধ নিয়ে আলোচনা। আর তেমন কিছুই না।
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লেখক বরাবরই জোর দিয়ে গেছেন শ্রী কৃষ্ণের নৈসর্গিক দিক গুলোর দিকে। হিন্দু রাষ্ট্রের পরিকল্পনার যে বীজ বপন করার প্রক্রিয়াতে লেখক ছিলেন, সেই পরিকল্পনায় যারা একমত তারা যেন শ্রী কৃষ্ণের চরিত্র কে অনুসরন করেন। (আমার মতে যা ছিলো লেখকের মূল উদ্দেশ্য)
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আমার কাছে ভালো লেগেছে। জরাসুন্ধ বধ ও শিশুপাল বধ নিয়ে আলোচনা। আর তেমন কিছুই না।
April 14, 2021
I liked the translation, as a historical perspective it is awesome.
July 1, 2022
অসাধারণ একটি প্রবন্ধ বংকিম বাবুর কাছ থেকে পেলাম৷
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