Kausalya: Queen of Hearts

by Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar

An unwanted daughter born to a Queen who wished for a male heir. A young girl whose fate was tied to the Asura King, Ravana. A Princess Blessed by the Goddess herself. A woman entangled in schemes plotted by Powers beyond her comprehension. A wife who watched her husband take on two more spouses. A Queen forced to exile her own son. Tales remember her as a maternal figure and a voiceless monarch. But Kausalya was much more than that. She was an embodiment of truth and wisdom, of happiness and sorrow, of love and hatred, of sacrifice and devotion. What was the price she paid for being extraordinary? What were the secrets buried in her, unknown to many but a few? Kausalya —Queen of Hearts is not the story of a woman who gave birth to an avatar. It is the story of a Warrior Queen.

Genres: Mythology

277 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2024

Reviews

[Alu · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was bold Draupadi and serene Sita. Now here is elegant Kuasalya.

When a I get a book with good writing, I cant put it down even if I have an exam the next morning. Which is probably why I am typing this review at 1:25 am rather than being fast asleep.

After completing this book, I expected to see a lot of criticising reviews however what I came across was a page with 11 rating. The number of ratings does not do justice to this book.

THE WRITING

I enjoy smooth writing. Writing without bumps and holes and this one exactly that - hurdle free. It wasn't magical but the kind that gets you hooked on. The world building was beautiful. The way the Kosala Temple was described was downwrite enchanting. I am not sure if it exists but I had a great urge to visit it. The way the places and charaters were described in the book painted a elobrate picture in my mind that took the expierence to whole new level.

THE PLOT

Hold on, before we start, I have serious issue to present. And that is the book cover. I am suprised that no one pointed out that this picture is flawed in one aspect. Kausalya is described as midnight dark in the. Very. First. Page of the book. And why is that, to me, she looks quite fair?? Or did the artist apply slabs of turmeric paste on her face?? Her face does have a yellow tinge to it....

Ok, moving on. This were I have so much to say. Most of the mythology books I have read was mostly based on the perspective of the women. It is the same here but i didn't expect the plot to have such drastic changes. It kind of veered off and I can't just swallow it. To imagine Kaikeyi, the evil Queen, as a bubbly person and Mantara to have no significant role. There was no Kaikeyi the charioteer of Nemi and the boons that sent Rama in the exile never in existed.
Yea there isnt. Can u believe it?
The Exile was to cure Sita of her episodes. I am not going to spoil, but Sita isn't sick as you would have thought fromt the previous sentence.
So to summarise, the plot veered of the original story of Ramayana, and the story we know now is the one that has been changed by people. Or so the author wants to say.

Now coming over to the next part, it is the **clears throat**, the ~romance~


Whats with us Indians and love at first sight? uh? Whats with it? I dont think you will find a Indian mythology retelling without LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. I dare you. Ha.
However, I think the very concept of love at first sight, is a weakness to us because I always end up swooning........

Even though I dont believe in love at first sight, I dont mind stumbling into handsome men and have heart racing millie seconds...

The romance was beautifull until Nemi went to gandhara and then -

which pretty much sums up what happened.

Now to the serious part.
Truth be told, I didn't know, something this bold could be published without any opposition especially since Rama was shown a self-righteous brat at the end. I mean he was shown the same in the Palace of illusions and I might have felt the same when I came across the story where he sent away Sita but the book even had a full fledged conversation between Kausalya and Sita about how Rama was easily manipulated and had wiped out Sita's entire family and burned down Lanka.
Remember the story were Sita was Ravana's daughter? Now connect the dots guys.

I feel the story has multiple loose strings and has ended rather soon. Like for example, there was no story about the magic circle to protect Sita from Ravana or how Surpanakha ended up with no nose. I guess that never happened in this story and what we know now is supposed to be a tale that got twisted. And I never thought Mandodari could be that forgiving. 'Oh, your son wiped out my kingdom and nearly my family. No big deal. Chill girl, we can live our old age together'
Hahaha.
Dont make me laugh.
If Kausalya felt jealous and extreme uncomfort for her entire life when Nemi brought the other wives and suffered in loneliness when her husband died, are you saying Mandodari was ready to feel happy and accept that her husband and sons were killed?
When Kausalya was goddess herself and Mandodari a mere human?
I think not.

I didnt know about this before but now that i think about it, I think its true. Very true indeed. Asuras could actually be south indians and we were named such because of our dark skin by the vadakkans. What the freaking -

It certainly explains why the supposedly Asura king, Mahabali, was extremely kind that even Lord Indira was was scared of his generosity. How you ask? Mahabali is no asura or flesh eating being, he just a human king from South India.
It's outrageous to think the southern half of the country was considered as demon and northern half to only have the heroes. The more I think about, the more angry I get, the more true it feels. These vadakkans.

In the story Kausalya is said to be a living goddess, however I didnt find her feeling extremely godly. She felt like every other person with those normal feeling of despair, fear, doubt, ego, anger along with an extra pinch of restraint and coldness. Kausalya wasnt of any importance neither in Ramayana nor here apart from giving birth to Rama. An entire story about her that imparted .... imparted... what? That we have to accept and not judge a book by its cover?

Truth be told, how much ever I might have criticsed this book earlier, I strongly agree this book to extremely bold and beautiful. I see this book in new light - to break the truth about Asuras; vadakkans might not be as great as they paint themselves to be. Did it just make me angry on the vadakkans? Or am i being far fetched?


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CURRENTLY READING
15/1/26 4:58PM pg 28
Oh great author, kindly explain those regional words that u have typed, next to the word. Its quite a pain to go back to the glossary each time. I am an Indian from "those danmed Sothern Kingdom" so I can't fathom what these "Agraja" or "tampura" are. I don't presume its related to prawn tempuras?

[Urmi Chakravorty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kausalya, Queen of Hearts - Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar’s maiden foray into the world of novel writing, pleasantly surprised me by both its choice of subject, and the author’s rather unusual manner of handling it. Both the book cover and its blurb adequately convey the central theme of how a less known, barely talked about character in the Ramayana is made into a living, breathing, multi-layered protagonist. Queen Kausalya, who usually remains in the shadows of her righteous husband and legendary son in the epic, occupies centre stage in this novel, dwarfing all those around her.

As the feisty princess of Kosala and later, the Queen of Ayodhya, Kausalya has been portrayed as a dark-skinned beauty, blessed with a flair for both the performing arts as well as ruthless warfare. If she strums the tanpura with serenity and passion, she wields her razor-sharp dagger with equal ease and agility. She is unapologetically courageous and gritty who displays remarkable equanimity when thrust into the direst of circumstances. This makes her an asset to both her paternal and marital families. The novel hinges completely on Kausalya’s checkered journey through life, her marriage to King Nemi (Dasharath), her equation with the King’s later consorts, Kaikeyi and Sumitra, her role as a mother, her administrative acumen, her abiding love for all her dear ones, the many roadblocks strewn along her path and how she navigates them all with her signature dedication, grace, foresight and virtue.

The USP of the novel, for me, is the tone and language employed by the author – it is easy and conversational, bordering on the modern, thus making it an engaging, fast-paced read. If some of the GenZ expressions slightly startle the reader, the taut, crisp narration manages to hold his attention. In spite of the lofty, mythological subject there is no melodrama, exaggeration, or unwarranted protraction. Important milestones like Kausalya’s marriage, Shantha’s departure or even Rama-Sita’s wedding have been described very succinctly.

The author displays a vivid sense of imagination and recreation - the splendid palace of Ayodhya, its thoughtfully designed town, its holistic administrative practices, and the grand Parvati temple of Kosala are a few relevant examples. The scene where the new-born Rama is brought back from the throes of death is, indeed, goosebump-inducing! The mention of ‘mercy killing’ in those times took me by surprise.

Being the young, new-age author that she is, Vibha has peppered her novel with generous doses of feminist sensibilities that further accentuate the contemporary tone of her book. Almost every female character is courageous and outspoken; each one is acutely aware of her rights and doesn’t flinch before fighting for them. Not only Kausalya but Amritaprabha, Arundhati, Varshini, Kaikeyi, Sumitra, Shantha, Sita –all have been imbued with the same love for their individual identity and the urge to follow their heart and their passion. They all (including the three co-wives of Nemi) form a strong sisterly tribe marked by mutual acceptance, camaraderie, respect and support. Even the kings – Nemi, Sukaushal, Rompad and Rama - have been shown as practitioners of gender equality and emancipation. In fact, Nemi gives complete freedom to Kausalya to make her own choices and decisions, and even add a fresh look to the royal durbar and its proceedings. As a reader, I have wondered whether the dark-skinned, fiercely intrepid personality of Kausalya is a deliberate attempt to smash the age-old patriarchal association of fairness with beauty, and meekness with virtue.

Having said that, the novel contains a few issues which I personally found difficult to process. Ravana’s connection with Kausalya, Kaikeyi’s selfless love for Kausalya and Rama, Sumitra’s rash act, Sita’s mental health issues, the exile episode of Rama, Ravana being the father of Sita (and the non-kidnap), the great battle of Lanka and Sita’s rancour about it — too many crucial events re-imagined and retold in a hurry. Too many surprises sprung, without offering a proper rationale or back story, leaving the reader breathless, dazed, and groping in the dark. If Sita needed a cure for ill-health, why send them on a fourteen-year-long perilous ‘exile’? If Sita – or Bhoomija –willingly visited Lanka, her beloved birthplace, why did it mandate a devastating war? One, that left her fuming at her husband?

Mythological retelling is tricky ground and is always fraught with the danger of leaving behind a few loose ends. More so, when the author is this young and just starting off. Nevertheless, I laud Vibha for her courage and conviction, for her story-telling skills, and for shining the light on a hitherto undervalued character of the Ramayana. The book makes us analyse, deliberate, debate, and wonder, and for that, I certainly appreciate it.

[Narayani Manapadam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book: Kausalya – Queen of Hearts
Author: Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar
Pages: 290
Publication: Readomania
Genre: Mythology

When it comes to mythological retellings, I have honestly reached the saturation point. However, this book was a gift from a friend. The fact that it was a winner in the ‘Best Manuscript’ category at the AUTHER Awards kindled my curiosity. So I decided to cast aside my scepticism and give it a go.

Plot:

Kausalya, as the title suggests, is a retelling of the epic Ramayana from the lens of Ram’s mother. The novel traces her growth from a brave princess to a dignified queen who has to share her husband with two other women and, later on, to a mother who is forced to exile her son and daughter-in-law.

Review:

As someone who writes short stories every now and then, I know the hassles of not only penning a lengthy novel but also catching the eye of a publisher. To an author, the joy in seeing one’s book baby in the market is unparalleled. I consider these factors when I review a book. Giving blunt negative reviews is not my forte, although I do attempt to pinpoint the nays I come across during my reading experience in a gentle way. The reason is simple – I never disrespect the author’s sweat that has gone into publishing the book.

While leafing through the pages of Kausalya, I oscillated between rolling my eyes, sighing, and yet finding myself emotional at some scenes.

The language is lucid. Many Tamil and Sanskrit words pepper the narration. As a Tamilian, I had no difficulty grasping the vernacular terms like vadakkan. The detailed glossary at the beginning helps. It would have been better, though, if the list had been pushed to the end. For readers unfamiliar with the language, it would be cumbersome to go back to the first page and locate the foreign expressions.

Retelling a grand epic of Ramayana’s grandeur within 300 pages is no easy task, but the author has managed to bring to life the tale as viewed through the eyes of Kausalya. The feisty princess who falls in love with Prince Nemi, aka Dashrath, soon transforms into a graceful queen. She not only displays a magnanimous heart in giving away her firstborn daughter, Shanta, to her sister Varshini but also accepts Kaikeyi and Sumitra as her husband’s wives. Throughout the novel, she shows nerves of steel, accepting the curveballs destiny throws at her.

Be that as it may, my grouse with the novel raises its head on many an occasion.

Both the epics have interesting secondary characters. A retelling gives an author ample scope to let loose their imagination and come up with a unique version. Having said that, I fail to grasp the reason behind belittling the primary protagonists. Moreover, it would be commendable if the author stays true to the essence of the epic without diluting its sanctity. I respect the viewpoint of Ms Krishnakumar, but as a reader, I found an overdose of creative liberties.

** Spoilers Ahead **

I was ok with Kaikeyi being portrayed as a good woman, but what I vehemently objected to was the subplot of Sita getting visions which led to her being whisked away by her father Ravana to be treated by his sister, a renowned doctor who went by the name Soorpanakha. The Lankan War is set into motion by the scheming Vibhishana. As a result, Sita unleashes her sharp tongue on Kausalya and the perfect Ram, whose efforts to help her are seen as patriarchal. I can go on and on, but I'll stop here.

** Spoiler Ends **

Has it become a fashion nowadays to incorporate current topics in stories that are centuries old? Amish wove the ‘Nirbhaya’ and ‘Jallikattu’ incidents into his Ramchandra series. As if taking a cue from his bestsellers, the author talks about skin colours and the prejudices against people from the South. But to give credit to her, the topic didn’t appear forced.

As a debutante, Ms Krishnakumar’s novel must be commended. Juggling a career as a Carnatic vocalist and a writer must be tough, so I congratulate her on her enviable achievements. If you’re okay with a mythological retelling that strays away from the original, you might enjoy Kausalya. Call me old-fashioned if you want to, but to me, the novel elicited divided feelings. I am sorry if my thoughts do not align with yours, but there’s a limit to which I can sugarcoat my aspersions.

[Ratna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mild spoilers ahead!

The writing was amazing, powerful. It was a sheer pleasure to read Vibha’s style of writing, fairly succinct and accurate, not to mention, great clarity. It was heartwarming to know that a teenager like her has picked up such great writing skills.

I absolutely loved the way the author developed Kausalya’s character, graceful, gentle yet royally strong. I loved the way Kausalya focused on her strengths instead of being wound up by societal pressures and seeming weaknesses like dark skin! Her energy was infectious and I felt this was one of the best books I could’ve laid my hands on, especially since I’m a huge, huge fan of our Puranas and itihasas.

Then came King Dasharatha and my love for the book grew multifold. The romance between the two was brilliantly portrayed, and the imagination of the author was lovely, quite lovely! Oh yes, let me not forget the wonderful friendship between Dasaratha and Romapada, King of Anga who played a big role with Shantha, Ayodhya’s firstborn. That part too I liked as it flowed well with popular notions but was beautifully decorated with the young author’s ideas and words.
Then came Kaikeyi and Sumitra and that’s when I realised things are going a wee bit out of the “established” notions and things changed. But I still loved the concepts in the book, especially how the three queens handled their jealousies, oneupmanship, etc., and turned out to be a fairly cohesive girl gang! Whoopie.

The birth stories of the four brothers are also slightly different yet nice. Then came Sita whose relationship with the King of Lanka is shown differently. But it was not something I hadn’t heard. Even as a child I knew about this version, and it’s an endearing version.

Grey characters are a common yet powerful narrative in the southern part of India. Divinity comes, I’ve been taught to believe when grey human beings work hard to reduce the black as much as possible and move towards the white. Therefore, it came as no surprise that black and white characters from our itihasas were shown as grey, some even a complete overturn. What didn't work for me was the unconvincing (sometimes even lack of) reasons behind this overturning of personalities.

The last part of the book was a letdown for me; it was an entire epic reduced to a few pages, and that, too, was told only by third-party spies. It seemed to have been written in a hurry and the character overturns were done just to appear different from more “accepted” versions. It reminded me of a retelling of Pride and Prejudice that I read recently wherein the main characters got a totally black overturn just to make the lesser-known characters from the original appear as the protagonist.

Even if the author wanted to do something like this, it would’ve been ideal if this book was written in a series which would've given her the space needed to create or retell compelling and convincing reasons for the changed approach. I was disappointed with the last part of the book.

But Kausalya has taken on a different due in my heart and mind, and a beautiful shade too!

[Umayal Subramaniam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kausalya-Queen of Hearts by Vibha Sangita Krishnakumar is the story of Mother of Rama. The story flows like the Ganges without any breaks, sometimes overflowing the banks. The author depicts Kausalya as a warrior queen, perhaps an incarnation of the Goddess herself. Loved by her father and not so much by her mother, with the kingdom of Kosala to offer, Kausalya is a princess overshadowed by the beauty of the sister and believes that she is not worthy of love. This insecurity is reflected throughout the story as her courage, agression and power.


The first part of the story talks about her entering into adulthood, a muscian par excellence, her interactions with her friends, her encounters with princes and kings and the relationship change with her mother after her engagement. She believes that she is a great administrator and wants to keep everyone on the alert. She hides secrets and forces people to do what she thinks should be done. She loves and hates with matching fervour and wants everyone to respect the smallest of her wishes.


The book is beautifully narrated but while reading this I felt Kausalya isnt the warrior queen but the villan of the ramayana which is far stretched from the original Ramayana by Sage Valmiki. The book downplays all the characters to make Kausalya shine on. The creative liberties taken by the author is beyond the true comprehension of the ithihasa.

The characterisation, the description of the cities and the imagery of the book is too good. The imagery and visualising vocabulary takes the story to the minds of the reader. I was disappointed with the last few chapters which reeled in the epic in a blink.

A good read for people who know the epic and but for beginners it can be misunderstood as it can create confusion in understanding of the epic Ramayana .

[Roohi Bhargava · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kausalya - The Queen of Hearts" portrays a narrative never read.

As an individual, I feel that there were many attributes to the character of Devi Kausalya, which are less known. Who knew that the dusky beauty was unloved by her own mother? This book provides so many shades of the mighty Queen.

She's not as soft as is portrayed in the epic, Ramayana, but she's a warrior too. I never knew this side of her story. The narrative is compelling; it showcases all the emotions swirling around in her heart and mind. Her meeting with King Nemi(Dashratha) was sweet. I am glad her father stood by her side, and made her capable of fighting against the demon king, Ravana.

Wow! This book has brought many lesser-known facts to life. For Eg: Ravana wanted to kill Kausalya, this is something not everyone might know!

The characters are well-developed. The narrative reimagines Kausalya as a deeply complex figure—both resilient and introspective—bringing new life to a character who is typically overshadowed by other legendary figures. Here, Kausalya is not only a mother and a queen but also a woman of remarkable depth, enduring both the privileges and sacrifices of royalty.

A standout feature of the book is its exploration of divine and supernatural influences shaping Kausalya's destiny. The Goddess’s blessing and the various powerful forces at play weave a mythical tapestry that underscores Kausalya's significance beyond traditional tales. She is rightly called the "Warrior Queen"

Kausalya—Queen of Hearts is a compelling portrayal of a woman who rises above societal expectations and personal losses to forge her own legacy. A must read for those who love Mythology!

[Priya Gole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who was Kausalya?

An unwanted daughter, given her mother's indifference? Someone whose fate was tied to the Asura king Ravana? or someone who had to bear with the fact that her husband had to take on two more wives?

Or was she just a mother who had to give up her children, including exiling her own son?

Kausalya was the princess extraordinaire. She excelled in all areas to the extent that she was known to be blessed by the Goddess. She had powers unknown to many.

However, she had to remain in the shadows of her father, husband and later, her son. Though she embodied truth and wisdom, happiness and sorrow, sacrifice and devotion, she came across as a disgruntled and voiceless monarch.

There were many layers to the enigmatic Kausalya and the young author has done a good job of peeling them one at a time. Here was a warrior queen who birthed an avatar but was a lot more than what met the eye.

The later part of the story, particularly the exile and Sita's birth, is very different from what we have read in most versions of the Ramayana. But the reasoning is effective enough. It's a different yet interesting perspective.

Kausalya was the queen who had it all but was always alone...

[Ramesh Arcot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm always on the lookout for new authors, and I recently discovered a debut novel called Kausalya by Vibha. I must say I was pleasantly surprised that such a young author could handle a very sensitive subject and she has walked on the razors edge with ease !

It reminded me of a stage play from about three decades ago, when a similar interpretation of the "Ramayana epic" was staged in Chennai and received mixed reviews. However, Vibha has approached it with great sensitivity and has done a commendable job. The writing style is quite engaging and Kausalya's characterisation is well developed with interesting facts, indicating the detailed research done by the author. The supporting cast is well written though their perspectives is missing in the storyline. The authors personal views on gender equality are skillfully woven in the narration and kudos to Vibha for that !

The plot is impressive but for the last few chapters which seem to be racing to the finish line. The closing chapter and dialogues between Kausalya and Mandodari was a treat..... Once again, a fantastic first book, and I extend my best wishes to this talented young author. I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing what she has in store for us in the future!

[Manjeri S.Raman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Kausalya’ s life, with all the changes and twists in the plot unlike those that most Indian readers have generally heard growing up. Kaikeyi is not an evil queen, plotting to have her son inherit the throne of Ayodhya. Sita’s relationship with Ravana is another shocking revelation! On the whole, Vibha’s book was most enjoyable and well written! I hope lots of readers will pick up this book and enjoy it as much as I did!

[Nira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t believe this book was a debut novel for the young author! The story was riveting and the depth of characters was phenomenal. I could feel the character’s emotions emanating from the pages!

A beautiful reimagining of Kausalya’s story, a rare perspective!♥️