प्रलय

Krishna ki Atmakatha #8

by Manu Sharma

मुझे देखना हो तो तूफानी सिंधू की उत्ताल तरंगों में देखो। हिमालय के उत्तुंग शिखर पर मेरी शीतलता का अनुभव करो। सहस्रों सूर्यों का समवेत ताप मेरा ही ताप है। एक साथ सहस्रों ज्वालामुखियों का विस्फोट मेरा ही विस्फोट है। शंकर के तृतीय नेत्र की प्रलयंकर ज्वाला मेरी ही ज्वाला है। शिव का तांडव मैं हूँ; प्रलय में मैं हूँ; लय में मै हूँ; विलय में मैं हूँ। प्रलय के वात्याचक्र का नर्तन मेरा ही नर्तन है। जीवन और मृत्यु मेरा ही विवर्तन है। ब्राह्मांड में मैं हूँ; ब्राह्मांड मुझमें है। संसार की सारी क्रियमाण शक्‍त‌ि मेरी भुजाओं में है। मेरे पगों की गति धरती की गति है। आप किसे शापित करेंगे; मेरे शरीर को ? यह तो शा‌प‌ित है; और जिस दिन मैंने यह शरीर धारणा किया था उसी दिन यह मृत्यु से शाप‌ित हो गया था।
कृष्‍ण के अनगिनत आयाम हैं। दूसरे उपन्यासों में कृष्‍ण के किसी विशिष्‍ट आयाम को ‌‌ल‌िया गया है। किंतु आठ खंडों में विभक्‍त इस औपन्‍यासिक श्रृंखला ‘कृष्‍ण की आत्मकथा’ में कृष्‍‍ण को उनकी संपूर्णता और समग्रता में उकेरने का सफल प्रयास ‌‌क‌िया गया है। किसी भी भाषा में कृष्‍‍णचरित को लेकर इतने विशाल और प्रशस्‍त कैनवस का प्रयोग नहीं किया है।
यथार्थ कहा जाए तो ‘कृष्‍ण की आत्मकथा’ एक उपनिषदीय कृति है।
‘कृष्‍‍ण की आत्मकथा श्रृंखला के आठों ग्रंथ’
नारद की भविष्‍यवाणी
दुरभिसंध‌ि
द्वारका की स्‍थापना
लाक्षागृह
खांडव दाह
राजसूय यज्ञ
संघर्ष
प्रलय

291 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Prabhat sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krishna ki Atmkatha Part #8- प्रलय by Manu Sharma- This book is based on Mahabharata by Ved Vyas. It relates to the Epic Mahabharata a battle fought at Kurukshetra for a period of 18 days between Kauravas and Pandavas and other kings who supported either of the Kings. Padavas and Kuru are brothers and the war is for return of Indraprastha Kingdom which has been acquired by false game of dice and that the terms of 12 years forest residence and one year incognito has been completed by the Pandavas. Pandavas completed their incognito one year at Matysa King Virat’s empire. According to the book, Kuru versus Virat war presented that though Drona had taught Pandavas and Kurus the art of war but the Pandavs had improved their skill. Arjuna was trained at King Indra. Pandavas had also received celestial weapons. Kurus had no intention to return the Indrapratha to Pandavas, therefore, they sent their representatives to invite all kings to join them for war. Duryodhana and Arjuna went to Dwarika to invite Krishna. Here, Krishna informed Arjuna and Duryodhana that Yadavs army and Krishna alone are available as choice. Krishna will not use and raise arms. Arjuna opted for Krishna while Druyodhana took the Yadav army. 11 Akshohani army joined Kurus while Pandavas had 7 Akshohini army including elephants, horses, chaiots and on foot soldiers. When Yudhistar lost Draupadi in the game of dice, Pandavas said that the game of dice was played in an illegal way. Bhim pledged that he will kill all 100 sons of Dhritrashtra. Drapadi pledged that she till keep her hair open until Bhim kills Dushshasan, brings the blood and oils her hair. On the request from Arjuna, Krishna accepted that he will ride the chariot of Arjuna. Shakuni was strategist for Kurus while Shrikrishna was strategist for Pandavas. Bhojkataa, Vidur and Balram are non-participants in this war. These three are neutral. Dhritrshtra is blind and he wishes to know about every incident about the war. Therefore, Rishi Ved Vyas provided celestial eyes to Sanjay the charioteer of Dhritrastra to be able to view the war and narrate the incidents. Bhishma does not invite Karn to fight under his Commandership, thus Karn is waiting to join as and when invited. Both armies line up at the Kurukshetra battle field. Yudhistar arrives, walks down to the chariot of Bhishma, Drona and Kripacharya to seek their blessings for victory in war. The three bless Yudhistar for victory. Arjuna feels that this war is between brothers where all mighty kings of the country are participating. The result of the war will be killing of young men, destruction of army, which will result in dearth of food and resultant poverty. He questions Shri Krishna about the futility of war and why he should not return back instead of killing his nears and dears. Shri Krishna explains Gita Rashasya to him stating that it is the duty of a warrior to fight for his right. Result of war should be left in the hands of God. Shri Krishna shows him his Virat Swaroop. Arjuna is ready for war. From Day 1 to 10 under the Commandership of Bhishma, army on both sides is killed but the major warriors are alive. On day 10, Arjuna, Shikhandi are on the chariot with Krishna driving towards Bhishma. On viewing Shikhandi on the chariot, Bhishma lays down his arms and ammunitions and stand alone on his chariot. Arjuna’s pointed arrows pierced each bone of his body and Bhishma fell on the ground. Day 11/12- Duryodhana lays a plan before Drona that Kuru Army should capture Yudhistar and bring him before Duryodhana. Duryodhana will not kill him. Day 11/12 Drona lays down war formations but Yudhistar is still free. Day 13- Arjuna and Krishna follow king Susharma. Drona lays down his army in Chakra formation. Arjuna and Krishna are aware of how to break this formation, enter and exit but no one else is aware of this battle form. Abhimanyu has the knowledge of how to enter the Charkra but about the rest he is unaware. Rest of the Pandavas, Satyaki plan to enter with Abhimanyu. Jaidrath is able to stop the Pandavas and other warriors. Thus, Abhimamyu enters alone. He is surrounded by Drona, Ashwasthama, Karn, Kripa, Duryodhana, Dusshana, Jaidrath, Shalya. Bow, arrows, shield, mace, sword, chariot of Abhimanyu is broken. Abhimanyu wrestles but he is hit on the head with a mace. He succumbs to wounds. Day 14- Arjuna vows that he will kill Jaidrath before the evening of 14th day. Kuru army hide Jaidrath between layers of warriors for his safety. Horses in the chariot of Shri Krishna are tired and thirsty. Krishna stops the chariot, frees the horses for rest. He brings them near water for them to drink. Horses rest. After rest, he joins the horses in the chariot. Clouds cover the sky. It appears that it is evening and the day of fight is over. Kuru warriors shout that Arjuna has not been able to withstand his pledge, therefore, he must immolate in the fire. Jaidarath comes out in the open. Just then, sky is clear and sun is shinning bright. Arjuna kills Jaidrath. Day 15- Duryodhana wants a result from Drona today. Drona uses celestial weapons and fill the Pandava army. Krishnaa brings an idea that if we declare that Ashwasthama is dead, Drona will lay down his arms. Bhim kills a Kuru elephant named Ashwasthama. He shouts near Drona that he has killed Ashwasthama. Drona approaches Yudhistar to confirm whether Ashwasthama is Man or an animal. Yudhistar responds Man- No, Animal Yes. But when he says MAN, conches are blown and Drona is unable to hear the rest of the sentence. Drona steps down from his chariot and sits on the ground. Dristdumna beheads Drona. Day 16- Karn is declared as Commander while king Shalya is his charioteer. He fights with Pandavas and defeats all but Arjuna but he does not kill any one of them because he has promised Kunti that he will spare the rest of Pandavas except Arjuna. Day 17- During the war, the chariot enters an area wet area. His chariot wheels are stuck therefore, the chariot is unable to move further. Karn steps down the chariot and pushes the wheels. He is without his bow and arrow. Krishna encourages Arjuna to kill Karn at this moment. Arjuna hesitates but he beheads Karn. Day 18- King Shalya is the Commander. He is killed in a duel with Yudhistar. By the 18th day, 99 brothers of Duryodhana are killed by Bhim. Draupadi has wet her hair with Dushshan’s blood. Shakuni and his sons are dead. Krishna, Pandavas, Satyaki, Duryodhana, Kripa, Ashwasthama, Kritverma are alive. War is almost over. Krishna travels and enquires about where Duryodhana is hiding. He finds out that Duryodhana is hiding in a pond of water. On calling him, Duryodhana comes out, duels with Bhim and is fatally wounded. Krishna and the Pandavas stay away from their camp in the night. At night, Ashwashama approaches Duryodhana and informs that they are 3 warriors alive and they want to continue the battle. Duryodhana declares Ashwathama as Commander. Ashwasthama, Kripa and Kritverma arrive at the Pandava camp and attack. They kill Dristadumna, 5 sons of Pandavas also called Uppandavas and the guards on duty. In the morning, Krishna is aware of the incident. They follow Ashwasthama and catch him. They bring him before Draupadi for punishment. Draupadi pardons him on the ground that he is a Brahim, he is son of their Guru Drona and that Ashwasthama’s mother Kripi will be sad. Ashwasthama is freed. He fires a celestial weapon on the womb of Abhimanyu’s wife. Krishna saves the child. War ends. Pandavas and Krishna arrives in Hastinapur to meet Dhritrashtra in his palace. Gandhari is angered by the death of her 100 sons and son in law. She curses Krishna that all Yadavas will die soon. Yudhistar is crowned King. Krishna returns to Dwarka. Krishna’s sons travel to a nearby hill where Rishi Durvasa is in Tapasya. Krishna’s son ties a small iron on his stomach and enquires whether the lady will give birth to a boy or to a girl. Rishi Durvasa is angry, he curses, “this will death to the whole Yadava dynasty.” This incident is not brought to the notice of Krishna. They rub the iron rod on a stone so that the iron rod is converted into pointed spikes. These iron spikes become roots in the grass near the Prabhas area. Yadavas visit Prabhas area for puja and to provide gifts to brahmins and to the needy. After Pooja and Dan is over, Yadavas eat and drink. Soon, they begin to fight with one another. They pull the grass with iron spike roots and kill one another. One hunter views the pink foot of Krishna. He thinks that it is a bird. He shoots an arrow which pierces Krishna’s foot. Krishna is fatally wounded. Krishna pardons Jara the hunter and he leaves for his heavenly abode. Balram also leaves his body and proceeds for his heavenly abode. All 8 books are interconnected. In order to maintain continuity, I have written detailed comments on each book. All 8 volumes are in easy language which bind the reader to the contents of Epic Mahabharta. I recommend this book to all readers. It should be translated in other Indian languages so that readers may reach the Krishna autobiographical narrative.

[Vibhas Srivastava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pralay

प्रलय की अवधारणा बहुत ही जीवंत हैं, पर कही लगता है यादव युद्ध को कम पृष्ठ दिए गए है।फिर भी अविस्मरणीय

[Sachin Kaushik · Rating 3 out of 5]

So i was finally able to complete the huge 8 volumes of Krishna ki Aatmakatha. The earlier parts were more interetsing, and somehow the final part was not so convincing.
Krishna saving Draupadi in the infamous cheer haran through something like his sukshm body does sound convincing but the entire Geeta episode is just summed up in a few lines as another of his doings of suksham shareer, something even Krishna himself isnt aware of, atleast that is what is written in this story. i mean, how could you, with the Bhagwad Gita being one of the central books of Hinduism, its treatment doesnt do it justice. even the Mahabharat war itself seems to be just inserted in the story because Krishna plays a part in it. understandably Krishna is not all about the Kurukshetra war, but still, i think the needed gravitas was missing. the war scenes seemed rushed through and i dont agree with the portrayal of Draupadi. also the end seemed rushed and unconvincing. still i would suggest people to read it, it gives better understanding to what being Krishna means, more than just decorating a palki in janmashtami and feeding the idols milk, curd , and eating all those panjiris and singing all those bhajans about radha kyu gori main kyu kaala. Krishna is a way of life.